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Ambulances aren't "State Owned" in all states, although the protocols for EMS are dictated by the government. In fact, ambulance companies aren't "municipality owned" in all areas. Some places charge for refusals, some don't. And the fee ranges from around $50 (I think that's the lowest I've heard of around here) on up. Ambulance fees also vary by area. It just depends on where you live. If you have a question on it, I'd call your local ambulance company and ask.
Where we live, in Illinois, we have a Fire Protection district. It is the taxing body for fire and ambulance service. so we pay property taxes to support it and a fee when it is used. each fire protection district, or city fire dept handles things differently.
Most do charge even if you did not take a ride, depending upon whether you have insurance and they cover it, they provided a service and expect to be reimbursed, what's a shame is the ones on welfare that call ambulances needlessly for non emergency needs, taking away an emergency vehicle for someone that possibly desperately needs it
I live in NY and in the fall my daughter fell, and we thought she had a head injury. We used our Town's Volunteer ambulance. We were NEVER charged- it is a free service here... I don't know what service you used in NYS but we were not charged a single cent. Now, there is a METRO ambulance and they do charge.
I live in NY and in the fall my daughter fell, and we thought she had a head injury. We used our Town's Volunteer ambulance. We were NEVER charged- it is a free service here... I don't know what service you used in NYS but we were not charged a single cent. Now, there is a METRO ambulance and they do charge.
A friend was moved from one area of a hospital across the parking lot to another area.....$600...
not sure about a refusal fee.....
ALTHO....if 911 is called, both the FIRE DEPARTMENT and the Ambulance service respond.....if the FD does the transporting [ya have to be friendly to em] there is no charge....if the Ambulance service does the transporting it starts at 600
There is a difference between small town volunteer stations and what you call "metro" stations. Small town volunteer stations have other ways of making up the operating costs. "Metro" stations do not have those same ways and also have a larger call volume and don't have the time to do the fund raisers. Hence - they charge. Some "Metro" stations have better government funding as well which leads to less fees passed on to the patient or in some cases, no fees passed on to the patient. Also please keep in mind that some of the "Operating" costs are helping to pay someone, and paychecks vary between states...and some of them are less than you think...barely minimum wage in some places. To give you some perspective: In 2006 in average Nurses (RN) wages in PA was around $27/hour. The average Paramedic started out at around $14/hour. The average EMT started out around $9/hour. Now add in the fact that gas/diesel prices are going up...that equals higher fees in some areas.
In Nebraska it is not a state gov't function, so state doesn't dictate what can or can't be charged. Charging varies based on municipality. Most of Nebraska is volunteer and even some of those depts still charge. I believe Medicare reimburses up to $500 for an ambulance that transports the patient to the hospital, so I think that's what you'll find as the common fee since alot of private insurance will reimburse up to the Medicare limit... I think you will find though that most departments don't agressively collect if not paid.
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