Ambulance Cost - Buyer Experiences and Price Information

Where is the choice? Some one should regulate this, or give you options as you call 911. "There is one company for 500, one for 1300..."

I had to be transported from the Ballard ER to the Edmonds ICU. I was barely conscious at the time and don't remember being given a menu of ambulance companies and prices to choose from.
How much should an ambulance ride cost? Can they charge whatever they want? We are not consumers or rational economic actors with knowledge of prices. We are semi-conscious sick people being put in ambulances by medical staff.
My insurance company (Ambetter) seems to think the service is only worth $734.43. Unfortunately since American Medical Response is out-of-network, they still want the other $1,584.28. So who is running the scam here? Is it American Medical Response or is it Ambetter?

My Dad was at a nursing home without a hip after surgery & had a follow up DR's appointment down the street. He was in horrible pain, in traction, & could not sit up. The nursing home ordered gurney transport. I didn't ask how much because prior gurney transport cost $600.00 round trip & it was more miles. When I received the bill I was shocked almost 3+ times more than the prior transport. They sent 3 people who pretty much just moved my Dad in & out of the office & were on the computer the rest of the time. I will always ask the amount in the future. Didn't realize it would very so much. Highway robbery in IL.

I would like to know if this a valid charge. It seems like an inflated cost by the hospital.

Charged at $919 for BLS + $17.50/mile for 34 miles, wondering if this is out of line?? No choice at hospital.

My dad was in respiratory distress. The ambulance arrived and took their time assessing him. They did not have the appropriate mask to use and transported him one mile to the nearest hospital. After receiving this bill, I called the local police department....they said North Shore is the first responder and the Rockville Centre fire department is the second responder. The taxes in this county are out of this world. Really??? I should have brought him myself. And there was no mention of the charge to take a mile ride.

My wife went to emergency in Sutter Health Summit Oakland, They found out that she got stroke, The hospital called Pro-Transport Ambulance to take her to Sutter Health Alta Bates Stroke Center in Berkeley, California, about 5 miles away, and it took about 15 minutes. the bill was almost $9,000.00. My insurance said the ambulance company not in the network,therefore they paid 50% only> Now I had a bill for $4,400.00. Is there anything I can do on this ripped off case?

The ambulance took my husband from a rehab facility to hospital emergency room which was half mile away.
We were charged $1068. We were to be responsible for the copay which is 220. Now since our insurance company had a contract with them they didn't pay the rest since it was disallowed. Now they are trying to collect from us. Our insurance said that they are not allowed to bill us for more than our copay. Got reported to a collection agency and ended up paying the bill. Our insurance is filing a grievance. Hope to get a refund with this mess is resolved.

After a hiking accident, the city of Vacaville ambulance assessed my vitals and gave me 2 bottles of water. That's it! I had no ambulance ride and they didn't even dress my wounds. BCBS won't cover it! These are fraudulent charges! I work in healthcare and vitals DO NOT cost $1100!

real sick no life support required

To respond to the Virginia Beach person voicing that those that are complaining of Ambulance fees are a "bunch of whiners;" In the State of Illinois an ambulance fee ranges from $7,000.00 to 10,000.00, I think we have a right to be concerned as to the high cost, not that I am not appreciative of the EMT themselves but the cost for an ambulance is ridiculous! Yes, Insurance will cover some cost but did you know that for a Dialysis patient that requires (per physician) an ambulance as a Medcar would not be appropriate, that person pays the cost of 5,000.00 to 7,000.00, that the Insurance and Medicare will not pay. So now, Virginia Beach, these people have every right to be concerned and are not "whiners" especially if they can not afford that exorbitant amount. Tell what is their alternative, will you pay for it for them?

Ride to RWJ hospital in New Brunswick, they just check blood presure during ride, after insurance I still owe $750, ambulance should tell you around how much is going to cost, if I knew this was that expensive i could have someone else to drive me to the hospital

My father never woke from a nap and i found him deceased. I called 911 and the EMTs responded and one touched his wrist and said, "Yup, he's dead." They filled out paperwork for 5 minutes and left. The bill for that was $1,500. No equipment or services rendered. All that was used was gas and gloves. This is a county EMS that collects my tax money. Seems like that should count for something.

Two trips.... to Park City Medical.... 5 to 10 milees
2nd Trips.. Park City Medical to Intermountain Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT. 15 miles
Two invoices.. $998.62 & $1773.76-- Insurance covered all except Two $200.00 Co Pays each Trip.
I assume Medicaid does not cover any of the $400 total Copays?

i was lucky my ins covered it, but i serviced most of the nurcing homes around the county and so often the fire dept and ambulance shows up the fd might be needed for accidents and some home calls but its a waste to send a fire truck to a dr office or nursing home 1 in a thousand might nee heavy person lifting help. the other thin all municipalities had fire and ambulance costs in the tax base but since then the tax is still charged as is the patient is charged in addition

No treatment was given on ambulance, except for connecting heart monitor and blood oxygen monitor on finger.
Fortunately, it was a false alarm heart attack.

I cannot believe the amount of people that are complaining about having to pay for an ambulance ride? Do you complain when you take a taxi and have to pay the fare? Do you complain when you go to your MD and have to pay a copay? Why wouldn't you have to pay for an ambulance ride? Isn't it the same thing as a taxi with medical care? Granted to the person that received horrible customer service, I would complain to that agency. But the moron that called an ambulance because they had a stubbed toe and did not want to wait....ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? You are probably the same person that complained because the person in cardiac arrest was treated before you! Contrary to what you may think, an ambulance is not a taxi service. Like someone else mentioned, these are trained professionals that have the ability to administer life saving (or if they were not trained professionals life ending) drugs. I understand that you may think the costs are high. Are the costs in the emergency room high as well

They are charging me $27.55/mile and $1628.25 base charge. Gave me oxygen and started IV. Bandaged wounds
Was March 26, 2015

My nephew 20-years-old, strong, non-smoker got a legionella-type Pneumonia from infected shower-bath in a cheap hotel. Ambulance from Copenhagen , Denmark to Lung-Hospital in Odense , Denmark , Distance: 120-km.
Oxygen-mask in ambulance. My worried sister passenger in ambulance. For an Endoscopic lung-operation and five days stay in hospital + the ambulance my sister paid NOTHING because she already paid via adequate Danish-taxes. Poor american patients.

By the time an ambulance shows up to transport a patient, even in a non emergency capacity, a couple of hundred thousand dollars have been spent on the vehicle. It MUST be 100% maintained (better than the best mechanic's car). The crew went through training that they paid for themselves and they get paid like workers at McDonald's. The crew must be ready 24 hours a day, just for the run on which they transport you. Emergency or not, the EMT's must be ready to run. When they have a run, many times, the patient urinates, defecates or vomits in the truck. Until the truck is clean, it's not legal to put it back in service. The trip "Without Medical Care" is not without medical care. The EMT is monitoring the patient. He or she is trained and prepared to intervene if the patient's condition goes downhill. When someone's relative dies, someone is going to get blamed. Insurance is outrageous. Operating costs are off the charts.

My daughter passed out in her UCLA dorm room, having a bad flu and dehydration. Her friends called 911.
To drive her 3/10 of a mile, with no emergency medicine or any special treatment required, they sent a bill for $1388.75.
The invoice claims it was a full mile, which is still ridiculous.

I drove from the Convenient Care facility to the emergency room on my own. The hospital drugged me up(at this point I needed it) and arranged transportation to another hospital 3.3 miles away. I didn't want the ride, knew I couldn't drive, but I had friends on the way. They said no, and that the ambulance was ready to go...I didn't argue. I received the first bill about the same I received a letter from my insurance company requesting more info from the ambulance company, so I did nothing. The next month received the second bill, and the phone call threatening collections. Called my BCBS and then called back to the ambulance company within 1/2 hour, stating my insurance company would have a determination within 7-10 business days. The ambulance company's response was..."I don't care"(exact words)..and they would proceed with collections...there should be a law.

Out of state motorcycle accident. Was flown to nearest trauma center because "we do that for all motorcycle accidents" says EMT. Sheriff said I was the 7th one in a week. After getting checked out, I walked out of trauma center within two hours and a prescription for (basically) aspirin.
Cost: $17,325 base, plus $289/mile. My take is base is a little high, but "per mile" add is triple what it should be. Being "out of network", insurance only paid half.

Received an ambulance bill for $2,185.00. For a 5 mile ride and taking blood pressure only, that's the amount they billed me. My insurance said the recommended amount is
$770.21. Even though my insurance already paid $1,185.00 the ambulance company is
Still after me for the remaining balance. The amount they charged is way too unreasonable, does anyone know how to fight it or any organization that can help me with? I'm at the bottom of this, any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated!!

I developed cellulitis - went to a free standing ER on a Sunday to avoid waiting another day for antibiotics. They started IV and decided I needed to be sent to their affiliated hospital. I wanted to drive but wasn't allowed. After arranging for my daughter to come get my car, they put me in a stripped down ambulance on a stretcher and delivered me to my hospital room. I was fine- no fever, no problem other than a localized infection that needed IV antibiotics. From my perspective, there is fraud going on-- a business partnership that is profiting on a patient that steps into their game. Had I thought I would be charged for a service that should be included in the ER cost combined with a hospital stay, I could have easily driven straight to the hospital.I was trying to keep it simple. I believe this one is going to get disputed.

I was hit by a car and then the driver ran over my hand. This resulted in broken wrist on one hand and broken fingers on the other hand. Incredibly painful. The EMT tried to talk me out of using the ambulance for the 15 mile ride to Hospital during a rainstorm.She said my husband should drive just drive me! Then she kept on about the elderly people in the ER who need care more than me! I guess broken bones in BOTH upper extremities isn't bad enough injuries to ambulance transport to hospital. It took her multiple pokes to administer medication before we started moving. That wouldn't have bothered me if I didn't have to listen to her nasty unprofessional comments much if the ride. I'm not complaining about the cost (the person who caused my injuries WILL be paying) I am very unhappy with the bad attitude of EMT! I'm sure if her mother or daughter needed similar help, she would have shown much more compassion and professionalism.if the cost went by kindness she would send me a check!

Charged roughly $7500 to transfer from one hospital to another for a non-emergency. The hospital told us it was mandatory we take an ambulance. Insurance covered only $700 b/c Superior is out of network (I called...they do not participate in ANY networks). Left with an out of pocket bill for $6800 for a glorified taxi service. I don't know what to do. BCBS was no help whatsoever.

Called poison control center regarding being poisoned. They could not/ did not bother answering my question. They just forwarded me to 911. Since 911 has your info from phone the came. I did not ask them to come. They show up all 3-4 vehicles.
I am behind metal security gate standing upright talking to them. I say no I don't want to go with you.
They insist the have to "check me out". I go to bedroom and lock the door. The owner of the house is threatened, if you do not open this door we will break it down. So he opens it and door to bedroom. Two paramedics drag me out of house. I tell them I do not want to go, I want to sleep.
In ambulance on gurney I try to get up and leave. They hold me down and strap me down.
At hospital they have someone observe me. I ask to leave. They bring hospital gown and want me to change saying they are admitting me. I do not have insurance.
When the guy is not looking I walk out in bare feet and no cash and walk the 4.65 miles back home.

I can sincerely appreciate the appearance of outlandish costs for ambulance services in our country. However, as a volunteer helping to manage a non-profit ambulance service, I would offer an explanation. On average, ambulance services recover only a small portion of their billings, about 60% but can go as low as 40% depending on the area. In short, those that do pay are also paying for those that do not. Even with this consideration, most may feel the costs too high. I would ask them to appreciate the costs of providing highly trained personnel, available within minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

My kid had to be transferred from one hospital to another and Superior Ambulance from Aurora to Park Ridge, IL charged $7550. Blue Cross paid $4730 (the maximum they would pay) and left me with $2820. I had no choice and no information ahead of time so I feel gouged. They can charge whatever they want and we are stuck.