new zealand ambulance bill what do i do?

travelbug_3

kiwifruit
it was the St Johns ambulance service that took me to hospital and who have sent me the bill
i did not inform insurance company i was in hospital at the time because at NO time was i asked for my insurance details nor was i asked to sign anything
i STUPIDLY thought that i would not therefore need to make a claim on my travel insurance

kiwifruit_2

Travelbug,
St Johns ambulance service do rely on part payment for certain things but but as this was an emergency admission and Im presuming you are a UK resident, then Im confused as to why you are being charged really. NZ and the UK have reciprocal health treatment agreements which means if you are in need of urgent medical/dental care you will be treated the same as residents in that country. 'Normally' with St Johns - in your circumstance - the government has already paid part payment for the ambulance and ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) picks up the rest!!!! However, in my humble opinion lol...as you had insurance at the time I think if you contact even your local St Johns ( http://www.sja.org.uk/default.asp ) and chat to them about it, they may be able to help you from this end. The hospital has caused this anxiety (Auckland City Hospital by any chance lol) and if you have the strength to pursue it with them heres the contacts http://www.adhb.govt.nz/contact_us.htm good luck

travelbug_3

kiwifruit
thankyou for your helpful advice ,i have been worrying that the bill from the hospital will arrive in the post
you were right it was the AUCKLAND CITY hospital i was taken to
i am a resident in the UK so as you have informed me i should OK ,
i will wait until i hear from travel insurance as to what they have decide to do
if they decide not to pay bill i will contact http://www.adhb.govt.nz/contact_us.htm

thanks for you help
travelbug

kiwifruit_2

Travelbug,
Im more than happy to help where I can. Just to put your mind at ease about the hospital care I found you the NZ Ministry of Health site which says it all http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/f872666357c511eb4c25666d000c8888/a8444d02366b4960cc256dba0077281a?OpenDocument
Do let us know how you get on with the account from the ambulance

travelbug_3

an update
3/11/06 sent letter to NEW ZEALAND St Johns ambulance service asking them to corrospond with my travel insurance company

3/11/06 sent email to UK St Johns ambulance service asking for some advice about the bill 25 days later still no reply

Today recieved a cheque for £125 , from travel insurance company, i had a £75 access

i had sent the bill(from nz ambulance) to the travel insurance company ,i thought they would have wanted me to pay the £75 acess to them and then they would have paid the new zealand ambulance

what do i do now ? as i will have to pay nz ambulance service in NZ dollars

any advice welcome as i have not had to claim of a travel insurance before and not sure what to do now

kiwifruit_2

Travelbug - is the £125 the amount that is to be paid to NZ St Johns...(£125 would convert to about $430 NZD today)....if so I would send it either via a money order or by a credit card (visa as you have protection should anything go wrong). I wouldnt bother going via UK St Johns now seeing as they are abit lapsydoosy about replying to you. Good luck and let us know how you get on.