Patient says insurance only covered about $6,700 of $51,000 airlift bill

CHARLOTTE — Cassie Burris says she woke up paralyzed from the waist down. “I was screaming for help because I was laying there in the bed, terrified,” she explained.

She said she was rushed to Rowan Medical Center. “The MRI showed that I had two spinal tumors,” she elaborated.

She said doctors told her they needed to airlift her to Charlotte. So she flew and had surgery. Eventually, she was able to walk again, but she said slowly and that she needed a walker.

“I haven’t lost faith or hope that I’m going to get better,” she said.

But then, she faced another challenge: the airlift bill, for more than $51,000. She has insurance. It covered about $6,700. She’s not sure why. So her portion: over $44,000.

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So she wrote her insurance this letter. Part reads, “Licensed medical personnel determined that I required rapid arrival to a hospital with an advanced neurology service.” It goes on to say, “I should not be expected to pay more out-of-pocket because of an emergency which was beyond my control.”

But she said it hasn’t changed anything. Burris said one of the companies turned her case over to collections.

Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke tried to get in touch with her insurance, CareFirst, three times in the last two months to see why it didn’t cover more of Burris’ bill. It didn’t respond in time for this report.

Stoogenke contacted the airlift company, Med-Trans, to hear its thoughts on Burris’ case. It said it was working with her to figure out payment options. Burris said she can’t afford them and is considering GoFundMe.

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So what’s the lesson here? You always have the right to refuse an ambulance or air ambulance. The problem is you may not be conscious or, even if you are, you probably want to listen to your doctors.

So, if you’re shocked by a medical bill, any medical bill: