Air ambulance operator Air Evac EMS Inc. has reportedly said it is owed $10 million by Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield (ABCBS), for medical flights provided to policyholders.  The company has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Little Rock last month to collect the money.

The issue surrounds a payment cap of $5,000 placed on reimbursements, and Air Evac is seeking a judgement to rule that his is a violation of the essential health benefits in the Affordable Care Act.

Seth Myers, president of Air Evac, told the local press “Arkansas Business” that each flight it makes in Arkansas costs about $30,000.  Air Evac claims that ABCBS will only pay a maximum of $5,000, and the operator then seeks to collect the balance from the patient, and many are unable to pay.

Air Evac then turns to the patient to collect the balance, which many can’t pay, he said.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com