If you've ever ridden in the back of an ambulance you're not typically there for the ambiance. You are there because you are experiencing a medical emergency and aren't able to transport yourself to the hospital or you need to get to the hospital QUICKLY. Most people aren't thinking while they are in the back of an ambulance, "I wonder how much this is going to cost me". But the fact of the matter is a transport to the hospital via ambulance is not free and it certainly isn't cheap. The exact cost depends on where you are when you take your ambulance ride.

How does the cost of an ambulance vary by state?

According to Carecredit.com, the cost of an ambulance ride can vary based on a range of factors such as local regulations, the type of ambulance service, insurance coverage, and whether the service is provided by a public or private entity.

1. Base Charges

  • Service Fees: The base cost for an ambulance ride differs on state to state basis. For example, a typical base rate for a basic ambulance transport in some states could range from $400 to $1,200.
  • Advanced Life Support (ALS) vs. Basic Life Support (BLS): More complex services like ALS usually cost more than a BLS service. The difference in cost can vary widely by state.

2. Distance Traveled

  • Ambulance companies often charge by the mile for transportation. This can range from $10 to $50 per mile, depending on the state and local policies. $50 a mile? YIKES!

3. Insurance and Medicaid

  • Insurance Coverage: If you have private insurance, your out-of-pocket costs will depend on your plan's coverage of ambulance services. Some plans cover a significant portion, while others may leave you with higher copayments or deductibles.
  • Medicare: For Medicare beneficiaries, costs for an ambulance ride are typically covered if it’s deemed medically necessary, but there may be deductibles and coinsurance.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid coverage for ambulance services also varies by state. Some states provide more comprehensive coverage than others.

4. Local Factors

  • Urban vs. Rural: In rural areas, where ambulance services might have to travel longer distances, the cost could be higher due to the increased mileage. On the other end of the spectrum, urban areas may have more competition among ambulance services and this can lower costs.
  • Private vs. Public Ambulance Services: Some areas use publicly funded ambulance services (e.g., fire departments), which might have lower out-of-pocket costs, while private ambulance companies may have higher fees.

5. Additional Charges

  • Fees for things like medical equipment, medications, or paramedic services can also impact the final cost, and these charges vary across states.

What is the most expensive state to take an ambulance ride?

No surprise here! Everything is more expensive in California. An ambulance ride in Cali costs on average $2,407 according to an article on beckershospitalreview.com.

Where does New Hampshire stand when it comes to ambulance costs?

According to NHPR, An independent study of ambulance trips in New Hampshire says that each call costs between $414 and $2,317, not including mileage, depending on level of care and where they take place.

The study said recent data said median EMS (emergency medical services) bills had reached $3,570, meaning half were less expensive and half were more expensive.

Specialty care transport obviously costs more. This is where the patient is in critical condition and needs to be transported to a different facility for special treatment.

The different regions of New Hampshire also altered the cost, the three regions analyzed were  urban, rural and “super rural,” which basically meant Coos County. The study found there was only a slight difference between urban and rural. However, super rural rates were about one-quarter to one-third higher which makes sense, more miles to travel to a hospital.

There has to be a more economically efficient way for people to pay for an ambulance in the U.S. If you are taking one, it's typically not for a joy ride, it's because you really need it. I surmise that very few people are taking advantage or abusing Emergency Medical Services. In countries like the U.K, Japan, and Norway, taking an ambulance is generally free.

A bill in the mail for a few thousand dollars is not what you want to be dealing with after taking an ambulance transport to the hospital. Hopefully we see these costs come down one way or another in the years ahead.

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