When it comes to emergency medical services, the true value lies not in the price, but in the life-saving care paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) provide in critical moments. The cost of emergency transport can seem daunting, but it’s important to understand that each dollar is part of a larger effort to save lives and ensure patients receive the immediate care they need. From the skilled emergency response professionals to the specialized equipment and vehicles used to transport patients, every detail is designed with one goal in mind: getting people to the care they need as quickly as possible. Here’s a closer look at the costs involved in emergency services and the behind-the-scenes efforts that make emergency care possible.
Basic Life Support (BLS)
BLS is the level of emergency medical care provided by paramedics or emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in situations where a patient is experiencing a medical emergency but does not require advanced or invasive procedures. This level of life support includes all non-invasive interventions aimed at stabilizing the patient until they can be transported to a hospital for further treatment. We’ve found the average billed cost of BLS emergency ground ambulance services is $1180.
Some common components of BLS include:
- Airway management: Ensuring the patient’s airway is open and clear to allow for proper breathing. This may involve simple maneuvers like the head-tilt-chin-lift or using basic airway devices such as an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) or nasopharyngeal airway (NPA).
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): Performing CPR to help restore circulation and breathing in cases of cardiac arrest. This typically includes chest compressions and rescue breaths.
- Oxygen administration: Providing supplemental oxygen to the patient, through a mask or nasal cannula, if they are having difficulty breathing.
- Monitoring vital signs: EMTs or paramedics monitor the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs to assess their condition and response to treatment
- Splinting and wound care: Basic trauma care such as applying splints for fractures or controlling bleeding with bandages or pressure.
Insight from a paramedic
Paramedics responding to a 911 call may provide the same level of patient care as those paramedics in an emergency room. EMS providers make the best judgment for the long term with the information we have at the time.
Jaran Floyd
Lieutenant Paramedic
Senior Regional Sales Executive, MASA Group Benefits
Advanced Life Support (ALS)
ALS is a higher level of emergency medical care provided by paramedics or EMTs when patients require more intensive or invasive medical intervention. ALS includes advanced techniques and equipment to manage critical or life-threatening medical conditions. ALS emergency ground ambulance services have an average billed cost of $1463.
Some common components of ALS include:
- Advanced airway management: ALS providers can perform advanced airway interventions to ensure proper ventilation and oxygenation, especially if the patient is unable to breathe on their own.
- Cardiac monitoring: ALS paramedics use electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG) to monitor a heart’s electrical activity. This helps in diagnosing conditions like arrhythmias, heart attacks, or other serious heart problems. If a patient is experiencing cardiac arrest, ALS providers can use a defibrillator to administer electric shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm. Conditions related to cardiac events are the top reason for emergency medical transport, with an average cost of $1,966 for those types of ambulance transports.
- Medication administration: ALS providers are trained to administer a wide range of medications to stabilize patients, including pain management, cardiac medications, anti-seizure drugs, and drugs for respiratory support.
- Intravenous (IV) access: ALS paramedics are trained to establish IV lines to administer fluids and medications directly into the bloodstream.
- Advanced monitoring and diagnostics: ALS care may include the use equipment to monitor things like blood oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, and blood glucose levels. Providers can also assess the patient’s respiratory status through pulse oximetry and capnography.
- Advanced trauma care: ALS includes more advanced trauma care, such as pelvic binding, advanced wound care, and stabilization of spinal injuries. They may also provide more intensive interventions for patients with severe burns or head trauma.
- Intubation and respiratory support: In addition to using basic oxygen, ALS providers can assist with mechanical ventilation for patients who are unable to breathe adequately on their own. This may involve the use of a ventilator or bag-valve-mask (BVM) for breathing support.
Insight from a paramedic
What interventions take place in an ambulance?
In an ambulance, you’ll find all sorts of care like EKGs, IVs, medications, chest tubes, and more. [Care] can range from something as simple as putting a patient on oxygen, to something as invasive as inserting chest tubes.
Will Winters
Paramedic
Vice President of Broker & Strategic Partnerships, MASA Group Benefits
Specialty Care Transport (SCT)
SCT is for patients that are critically ill or require specialized care for a complex condition during transport. Those patients may require an ambulance with advanced equipment and/or care from a nurse or paramedic with extended skills, all of which are associated with additional costs.
Mileage charges
In addition to the costs of BLS and/or ALS care during emergency medical transportation, patients may be responsible for ambulance mileage fees. Some services charge per mile, adding extra costs depending on how far the ambulance has to travel.
The fee per mile can vary widely depending on region and type of ambulance. And if you live in a rural area without access to a hospital, or in an area that has experienced a hospital closure, the distance could have a significant impact on your mileage costs. There are even some ambulance providers that charge for wait time, if they are unable to immediately transport the patient away from the scene.
How you can prepare
- Opt for supplemental coverage from MASA: You’ll be one step ahead, with coverage for your emergency medical transport costs and care services for your post-emergency needs. As a member, you just submit your medical transit bill through our member portal and we’ll work to resolve your claim.
- Review your insurance coverage: Find out just how much your health insurance covers ambulance services and emergency treatments.
But what about my medical insurance?
Many insurance policies cover ambulance costs, but individuals may still be responsible for a deductible or co-pay. And a provider may not provide complete coverage without use of an in-network provider, which may not be feasible during an emergency. So even with medical insurance coverage, you’ll still need to be prepared for a cost when calling 911 for emergency medical transportation.
- Understand local fees: Some areas provide detailed information on emergency response fees on local city or county websites.
- Never hesitate to call 911: Don’t let the cost of emergency medical transportation dissuade you from seeking care. After all, accessing timely emergency care is important. Relying on extended coverage for emergency transport from MASA means you never have to worry about making the call when you need help.
Emergency services are essential, but the costs can quickly add up. By understanding the typical charges on an ambulance bill and relying on MASA to shield you from these expenses, you can be better prepared.
