How Much Is an Ambulance Ride?

Ambulance transport can be lifesaving in a medical emergency, but the cost afterward often comes as a surprise. Whether you're insured or not, it's important to understand what factors affect ambulance pricing and what your insurance may or may not cover. This article explains average costs, coverage options, and ways to manage or reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

How Much Does An Ambulance Cost? 

In a medical emergency, ambulance transport to a hospital can save your life. But after you recover, the bill for your ambulance trip can be a pretty big shock. This article will answer questions such as:

• How much does an ambulance ride cost?

• Does insurance cover ambulance rides?

• How can I save money on ambulance transport?

The average out-of-pocket cost of an ambulance ride with insurance ranges between $250 and $1,500. On the other hand, the average cost of ambulance transport without insurance ranges between $500 and $3,500. 

What Factors Determine Ambulance Costs? 

Ambulance costs depend on many factors, such as:

Type of Ambulance Service 

The cost of ground ambulance services depends on the level of care provided by emergency medical technicians en route to the hospital and the equipment available in the ambulance. 

For example, providing basic life support (BLS) compared to advanced life support (ALS) with advanced airway management and cardiac monitoring equipment can result in very different costs. Based on a report by FAIR Health in 2020, the average cost of a BLS ambulance ride is $940, while that of an ALS ambulance ride is $1,277. 

There can be additional charges for IV fluids, oxygen therapy, and other treatments given en route to the hospital.

Air Ambulance

Air ambulances are typically used for life-threatening emergencies or long-distance transfers from rural areas. An air ambulance is considerably more expensive than ground ambulance rides, with costs ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Location 

Costs for ambulance transport can vary greatly between states and between different towns and cities within the same state. Studies have found that an ambulance ride in rural locations can cost almost 40% more than in urban locations. 

Distance Traveled

Some companies charge per mile, and a longer travel distance can result in higher costs. Even when companies offer a fixed cost, the ambulance bill can be higher due to more time and resources used during longer rides. On average, the cost is $10 to $30 per mile.

The 5 states with the highest average mileage for ground transportation services in the US are Arkansas, North Dakota, Wyoming, West Virginia, and Maine. 

Insurance Coverage

Different insurance plans have variable coverage for ambulance rides, which can impact your out-of-pocket cost.

Does Insurance Cover Ambulance Services? 

Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance usually covers ambulance services if they are deemed medically necessary. 

Your out-of-pocket cost for an ambulance ride will depend on whether your insurance company has a contract with the ambulance company that transported you or not. If they do, the ambulance transport is considered in-network, and you will be billed for the co-pays or coinsurances as outlined in your policy document. If you have met the annual deductible, your health insurance policy will pay the entire cost. 

If the ambulance company does not have a contract with your insurance provider, you will need to pay out-of-network charges. In this case, the ambulance ride may not be covered or may result in a higher out-of-pocket cost. 

The No Surprises Act restricts surprise billing for emergency and non-emergency medical care obtained by people insured with private companies (job-based or individual health plans) when the care is received from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities or air ambulance services from out-of-network providers. However, ground ambulance rides are not covered by this rule.

To check if your insurance plan covers ambulance costs, review your policy documents, specifically the "Ambulance Cover" section. 

Medicaid

Medicaid coverage for ambulance services varies from state to state. Some states require prior authorization or only cover certain ambulance services.

Medicare

Medicare Part B covers ground ambulance services to the nearest medical facility that can provide you with the appropriate care you need. However, the requirement for ambulance transport should be deemed medically necessary, and the circumstances should be such that transportation by any other vehicle would endanger your health. Medicare may pay for ambulance transport by airplane or helicopter if immediate ground transport services are not available.

Compare Medicaid and Medicare.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

After you have met the Part B deductible, you have to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the cost of an ambulance. If the ambulance company bills you ambulance fees that are more than what Medicare covers or provides services that Medicare doesn’t cover, you may have to pay some or all of the costs.

How To Claim Ambulance Expenses With Medicare

Medicare will pay the ambulance company. If you have original Medicare, then Medicare will reprice the bill and send you an explanation of benefits. After you have satisfied the Part B deductible, you’ll pay 20% of the ambulance bill.

Alternatives To Ambulance

Non-Emergency Medical Transport

An air ambulance is used in an emergency situation to transport a patient to a trauma center for intensive care, for example, when there’s a natural disaster or serious accident. But there are also companies that provide medical transportation in non-emergency situations using ground transportation and/or commercial airline flights. These companies make domestic and international travel arrangements. They may assign a coordinator to manage travel plans and a flight nurse to accompany the patient. 

Uber/Lyft or Taxi

Rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft or a taxi will cost a fraction of what an ambulance ride costs. However, keep in mind that if the situation is life-threatening, you should call an ambulance because EMS can provide medical care with basic life support or advanced life support equipment en route to the hospital emergency room. Also, keep in mind that wait times for Uber/Lyft can vary depending on demand, and your location may not be accessible to these vehicles.

Getting A Ride From A Loved One

Driving yourself to the emergency room is not advisable if you have severe chest pain or impaired motor skills, as this could result in an accident. It’s best to call a loved one to give you a ride to the ER if you are unwell or injured, but the situation is not life-threatening.

Ambulance Membership Programs

For a small annual fee, you may be able to sign up for an ambulance membership program. These programs are typically offered by local fire departments. The membership program bills your insurance company after you utilize their ambulance transport service and accepts whatever final bill your insurance provider pays up to a fixed amount (say $1,500) annually. Members of the program don’t have any out-of-pocket expenses for ambulance rides until they hit the annual limit.

When Is An Ambulance Necessary?

If you are not sure whether you need an ambulance, it’s best to call 911. They can assist you and send an ambulance if necessary. Generally speaking, you need an ambulance in the following situations: 

• You have a potentially life-threatening condition, such as heart attack or stroke, with symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, or altered mental status. 

• You cannot drive yourself to the emergency room due to a fall, injury, severe weakness, or unsteadiness. Getting behind the wheel of an automobile in this situation could result in an accident and put you and others at risk.

• A person is choking, or their heart has stopped. You should perform the Heimlich maneuver or start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until emergency help arrives. 

• Someone is injured and moving them could cause further injury. For example, after a motor vehicle accident, fall, or other trauma. EMS personnel are trained to move people safely in potentially dangerous situations.

Frequently Asked Questions on Paying for Ground Ambulance Rides

What Happens If You Can't Pay For An Ambulance?

If you can’t pay an ambulance bill, you will still receive first-step treatment and emergency medical care. However, you will be left with an unpaid bill, which can lead to debt collection and lawsuits and potentially affect your credit score. You can explore options like payment plans, discounts, or financial assistance programs with the billing office of the ambulance provider or hospital. 

Can You Be Charged For Calling An Ambulance?

Yes, you can be charged for calling an ambulance even if you refuse ambulance transport after evaluation by the paramedics. The cost of the ambulance response, even when no transport occurs, is a factor in billing. Exact billing practices vary by location and ambulance service, so it's best to check with your local EMS agency.