Business ProfileforStar Ambulance

On 8/6 I was admitted to the ** of Franciscan Health in **************, ** after CT scan revealed I had a kidney stone and severe infection, it was determined that I needed to be transferred to the Lafayette location where there was a specialist on staff. ** staff would not let my husband take me and ** selected STAR Ambulance. #1 - the ride was simply terrible! It was like riding on a wagon in a hay field going 30 miles an hour. The EMT's were nice - but the ride was awful. #2 - My real issue stems from the invoice received from STAR. I have had conversations with STAR and reached out to UHC and UHC indicates they are following procedures and within my plan. Since STAR is out of network they refuse to reduce their charges of what my carrier indicates is reasonable. Therefore, I am being billed for that extra ******. In my discussions yesterday with STAR billing they have indicated they are unwilling to negotiate and have indicated this is patient responsibility if insurance doesn't pay. STAR indicated they see this all the time and have blamed UHC. I am saying they have us over a barrel, as there essentially is no competive market in the area for ambulance services...and they can charge whatever they want and be outside every network. This "for profit" business is hurting the consumer/patient and I am writing to complain about this situation. I have also discussed over the phone with a patient advocate at Franciscan to complain and bring to their attention indicating it would help if they had their own ambulance services for transport within their network. I feel I have exhausted all I can do on my end. I have attached 1. STAR Invoice 2. UHC Explanation of Benefits 3. Dataisight Reimbursement Comparison. Thank you for your assistance.