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 ground ambulance ride could cost $2,000 and medical air transport can average $69,000 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: Includes 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: Includes 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.
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
Air ambulances, in particular, may include the costs for specialized equipment and medical staff, adding to the overall expense. Air ambulances are typically equipped like an intensive care unit in a hospital, with blood transfusion equipment, breathing monitoring systems, defibrillators, and a much more extensive supply of medications. They can also be customized depending upon 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, you’re one step ahead — especially if you’re a MASA member. The best way to ensure comprehensive protection is to rely on your MASA coverage to protect you from those surprise ambulance bills.
1: MASA Internal Data, Updated February 2023
