R.A. Zehetner & Associates

In May of 2011, my mother [redacted] was admitted to [redacted] hospital 3237 S. 16th St. St Francis WI. She was treated there and released by [redacted] to another [redacted] facility, The Terrace [redacted] nursing home, 3200 S. 16th St in [redacted] Wisconsin on 3/24/2011. [redacted] contacted Bell Ambulance to transport her the 0.42 miles to their other facility essentially across the parking lot. This was a non-emergency transport and was arranged entirely by [redacted]. We had made arrangements for a different transportation service to accommodate [redacted]. Additionally, [redacted] had her own portable oxygen that she carried with her, and was with her at the time of transport. For this trip, Bell charged her $830.70. This is $674.25 for the non-emergency base rate, $19.95 for mileage, $96.50 for oxygen, and $40 for disposables (gloves). [redacted] passed away shortly after. I contacted Bell via telephone and letter on 8/11/2011 in an attempt to resolve the matter offering to pay reduced charges. I received a response letter from [redacted] on 8/31/2011 saying essentially that the charges are fair, and they will not reduce the bill. I have been disputing these charges since then as [redacted] did not authorize the transportation (she was suffering from brain cancer and would've been unable to) and had transportation of her own in addition to oxygen of her own. Whatever arrangement Bell Ambulance and [redacted] have is between them but this is clearly an attempt to fleece an elderly, terminal patient. I have since paid the bill in full to close out the estate but believe that Bell should refund at least part of the charges as $830.70 for a non emergency trip across a parking lot is simply ridiculous.