Air Ambulance Negotiation Success: $28K Saved in Open Negotiation Phase

Air ambulance providers are often challenging to negotiate with due to consistently high charges.  An air ambulance provider initiated an Open Negotiation under the No Surprises Act (NSA) with a Phia client.  Historically, air ambulance entities offer minimal concessions (typically 2.5% to 5% off billed charges), and many refuse to engage in meaningful discussions.

 

Understanding that the most favorable outcomes for plans are often achieved during the Open Negotiation phase—prior to the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process—Phia’s NSA support team acted swiftly. With only a 30-day window to negotiate, Phia immediately sought client approval to submit an initial offer, which the provider promptly countered.

 

Fortunately, the provider’s counteroffer was more reasonable than is typical for these types of claims, signaling an opportunity for resolution. After a brief exchange of additional arguments, Phia successfully negotiated a final settlement at approximately 55% of the original billed charges.

 

By partnering with The Phia Group, the plan saved over $28,000 off original billed charges, avoided an IDR judgment along with the fees, and established a constructive relationship with the air ambulance provider for future negotiations.