Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/09/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Our daughter has severe respiratory issues that occasionally require emergency transportation to Children's Healthcare of ******* (CHOA). On December 19, 2024, she experienced an episode that necessitated calling 911. The dispatcher sent Central EMSwe had no control over the selection of this provider. Unfortunately, Central EMS is out-of-network with all insurance providers, including our insurer, ******. Consequently, we received a bill totaling $1,809.12. Anthem covered $602.77, leaving a remaining balance of $1,206.35. Anthem processed the claim as in-network, paying the maximum allowable amount, as we had already met our deductible and maximum out-of-pocket limits. Therefore, Central EMS should waive the outstanding balance, considering that ****** has determined the paid amount to be fair compensation for this type of emergency service.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/25/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  i was billed ******* above what my insurance paid for an abulance ride on november *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/07/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 09/23/2024, Central EMS transferred my child between ***************************** ******** to ******************************* (run 24-141223). ***************************** gave me no option to select the Ambulance provider and the basic life support non-emergency transfer was done by Central EMS covering a distance of only 7.3 miles. Few weeks later I found that Central EMS charged me an abusive total of $4290.62 - including $3850.00 of BLS Non Emergency Base Rate. My insurance (Anthem BC/BS) payed $1224.56. They sent a check to me and I sent to Central EMS so that I could negotiate a lower bill - expecting that a more realistic balance. They offered 40% discount over the remaining $3066 balance - which I did not accept. Central EMS service is unrealistically overpriced and I present 3 dissimilar examples to justify this observation: the ambulance transport provided by Bryan County *** from my home to ************************** done on 09/22 covering about 20 miles charged $736.4; a similar service provided by **************** on 12/11 transferring my child from ********************************** to *******************************, covering 2 miles charged $1925.00 (from which $1795.00 is the flat rate); and lastly **************************, a non-profit organization that provides information about local medical costs, indicates that transportation by ambulance equipped with basic life support, non-emergency flat rate is $1285. Considering that I had no option to select the *** provider and the abusive difference between Central EMS charge and the market practicied charges, I offer to pay $501 on top of the $1224 paid by Anthem BC/BS. The total $1725 corresponds to $ 1285 flat rate indicated by FairHealthConsumer plus the mileage rate ($130) and disposable supply fee ($310) charged by Central EMS. It is a fair and reasonable offer that does not put me and my family under further undue strain after reaching my insurance deductible and depleting the ****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/21/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I made a payment in November 2024 for ambulance services and I went ahead and made a payment of $225. Naviguard talked the amount down to where I owe absolutely no money. They were sent in a new EOB which detailed this and after arguing with a rude representative, they submitted the request. After waiting weeks, they have still not refunded the money and keep arguing why they won't.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/14/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Central EMS pick me up took me to the hospital and I was admitted to the hospital and they lost my jewelry my cell phone and all my clothes and have yet to find them

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/24/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  April/27/2024 My mother took me to ****************** in **********, ** as emergency for psychiatric issue. My mom left for home After observation and waiting for long hours around 10:15 pm they told me that I would be taken in ambulance. Neither the hospital nor **************** took permission from my Mom or did I sign and agree to use the ambulance. Insurance did not have ambulance agency in network so they paid ******* to my Dad as he is the primary insurance holder. My Dad thought its for ****************** and paid the northside around 3443 what was for northside. Central EMS sent bill of $5520.31 in Dec 2024. We referred to all communications and found that ******* was for Ambulance Central EMS. Dad paid the Central EMS $3399 on Dec/23/2024. We are not responsible for a ***** above it. Central EMS is a cheat to charge $5520.31 for 1 ride of 36 miles. Outrageous charges.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/27/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 6/5/2024 Central EMS transferred my 12-year old son from an acute care hospital to a mental healthcare facility (run 24-82556). We had no say in which company was called or to which facility my son would be transported to and we did not have the option to transport him ourselves. He did not need any medical treatment during transport. We received a total bill of $7894.60 which our insurance company covered $1799.56 of (Central EMS is out-of-network of course) and stated that we owe $949.90 out of pocket and nothing else. Of course we were balance billed for $6095.02 by Central EMS as that seems to be the standard practice after doing some research. We have spoken with Central EMS several times and even used ClearHealth (per our insurance company) to help us negotiate with them which they flat out refused. We are not able to pay them this exorbitant sum as my son has ongoing mental health needs that have put my family under a financial strain. It seems like an ambulance company can make up any price they feel like, because there are no laws protecting the consumer from surprise ground ambulance bills. It is not like we got a quote for the transport beforehand. We filed an appeal with our insurance as well which was denied because they processed it correctly up to the maximum allowed amount which Central EMS does not accept. We have spoken to several representatives and have offered to pay them $2350 which we can afford with savings we have. This would amount to a total of $4149 (insurance and our portion we offered) for their services, but they said they will rather have the account go to collections. I have done some research on ********************** and it seems that this sum would be the average price at the 80% for our area (flat fee plus mileage). The billing practices after the fact and after insurance paid their portion is unethical. We are trying to work with them and get them paid, but there is a limit as to what families with 3 kids can afford.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/29/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Double billling

  Business Response

  Date: 10/02/2024

  This transport has been reviewed and based on the limited complaint of "double billing" we can only assume that the allegation of billing twice to collect twice is the concern.  We absolutely contest this allegation and upon review have found that Humana paid, but took back the payment as the policy termed on 9/30/2023 and the date of service was 10/3/2023.  A refund was issued as proper to Humana and the patient was billed as appropriate due to lack of eligible insurance.  We have sent notice to the patient to provide any applicable insurance information for which we will bill.  In the absence of any insurance or insurance information, the patient is responsible for the bill.  To request a payment program or to discuss possible financial hardship consideration, please contact the billing department as noted on the invoice.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/09/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  After collapsing in a parking lot, I was taken to the emergency hospital on 12/27/2023. Because of this emergent state, it was required against my husbands and my wishes that I be taken from the hospital to a mental health facility. My husband was not allowed to coordinate the transportation for me, nor did we have any say in the selection an in-network ambulance. They took me approximately 56 miles to the facility, they charged my out-of-network insurance $6,341.53. My insurance paid them $824.48, and they billed me the balance of $5,517.05. My account # *********. After receiving the bill four months after the transport, I was shocked and thought this must be a mistake, I stated I did not believe I was responsible for the bill, my insurance paid them a fair amount, (even though they were out of my insurance network) that I didnt pick them to transport me and that I am unable to pay it. I first called and spoke to a representative on 4/16/2024 to see what could be done since all of this was not in my control. They said that a supervisor would call me back within 24 to 48 hours, they never called me. I got another bill; I called them again on 4/30/2024 they again said a supervisor would call me back. Then again, another bill, I called them again on 5/9/2024 I was told to call my insurance company to get them to pay more money. I called my insurance, and they said that What Central EMS charged didnt merit the amount of money they were asking for. again, I was told I would receive a call back from the supervisor. To date I never heard back. I was told by Central EMS will send me to collections if I didnt pay the balance due. Also, they are billing my husband and not me he wasnt the patient I was they need to put the correct name on the bill. After I looked up Central EMS on BBB I found over 14 complaints, 10 of them are in the last 12 months, not okay!!!

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/18/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My daughter was required to be transported from one hospital to another on 8/3/22 run # ******* and we were billed $4060.25 by the ambulance company (Central EMS). We received our first bill from Central EMS about 6 months after the date of service (2/2023) and since they were not in network with our insurance, it was denied.We resubmitted with proper documentation and my insurance (UHC) agreed to pay them the in-network amount of ******* (which was recorded as reprocessed with UHC 7/17/2023). At that point, Central EMS billed us for the balance. I thought this was an error because the *** from my insurance company stated that we should NOT be balance-billed for these services and the rate was high. I followed up with Central EMS multiple times to clarify, but the balance billing was not a mistake and despite receiving payment for the services from my insurance company, they charged us the remaining $2656.22. I called Central EMS to determine what options we had to reduce or reprocess this bill and was told I would need to further document medical necessity in order to resubmit the claim for a higher re-imbursement rate through my insurance. I did this, but my insurance denied it, stating the charge for these services "exceeded reasonable rates" . At that point, I was instructed by my healthcare insurance company to contact Change Healthcare (a service provided through my insurance company that helps patients who are surprise billed during emergencies reduce or eliminate the balance). In February 2024, I spoke with Central EMS to make sure that I would have time for Change Healthcare to appeal my claim with them and was told to provide a claim number for an extension, which I did (reference # *********). When I called Central EMS today (3/18/24) to get an update on their discussions with Change Healthcare, I was informed that my account was turned over to collections, I owed the full amount, and that they would no longer speak to me.