Why are ambulance rides so costly?
If you’ve ever taken an ambulance, you know that it can bring up a mix of feelings. You may feel gratitude for the help and care but worry about the outcome of your emergency and just how much this help may end up costing you.
The average invoice for a ground ambulance ride is $2,086, and medical air transport can average $72,469* per flight.1 The cost of emergency medical transportation can escalate quickly, depending on the distance, type of vehicle, and level of care required. A patient’s bill will include:
Base fee or mileage charges
For ground ambulances, there might be a flat rate or there might be a per-mile charge if the distance exceeds a certain limit. Mileage charges can vary, typically from $10 to $20 per mile. Sometimes, a service will charge both a base fee and mileage.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Basic Life Support (BLS)
BLS: The American Red Cross describes Basic Life Support as including basic medical care and transport. Costs are generally lower but vary by location. Situations that might require BLS include, cardiac arrest, an obstructed airway, or respiratory distress.
ALS: The American Red Cross describes Advanced Life Support as including more complex care, such as advanced medical procedures or monitoring with the goal of stabilizing a critical patient. This service is more expensive due to the additional resources and expertise required, such as advanced airway management, IV therapy, or advanced cardiac life support. Situations that might require ALS include, heart attack, trauma, poisoning, or stroke.
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. They make the best judgment for the long term with the information we have at the time. Early intervention is key.
Jaran Floyd
Lieutenant and Paramedic
Senior Sales Executive, MASA Group Business
Medical supplies charges
The cost of supplies used during your trip, such as gloves, gauze, bandages, needles, or medications.
Medical personnel charges
The cost of any medical personnel who provided services during transport. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics are typically the medical personnel a patient encounters in emergency medical transportation. EMTs are trained to provide basic emergency care, whereas paramedics receive more advanced training. Paramedics can provide advance life support, perform a tracheotomy, or even deliver babies.
Specialized equipment and personnel for air transports
Air ambulances have high operational costs, that include the expense of fueling and maintaining an aircraft. Unlike some ground ambulances, they typically have the most specialized care equipment aboard. Air ambulances can also be customized depending on the patient’s needs. The staff onboard may also include doctors and nurses with training specific to aeromedical care.
While it’s true that emergency medical transportation is an essential service that can come with high costs, if you’re a MASA member, you’re one step ahead. The best way to ensure comprehensive protection is to rely on MASA solutions to protect you and your finances.
* Based upon the enactment of certain legal protections regarding surprise medical billing, certain scenarios conveyed may result in a different outcome for air ambulance bills today.
1: MASA Internal Data, Updated January 2025
