the Cost of Ambulance Rides

In September of 2007, I had a situation that required an ambulance trip. The situation was not life-threatening, though the person who called the ambulance thought it was. I was conscious, not bleeding, nothing was broken and I was in no pain. I was completely ambulatory, so was able to walk to the ambulance without assistance. Once in the ambulance, the medic started an IV line and took my vitals. He gathered some background information including brief medical history and current medications. Beyond that, his role was to keep me calm and comfortable until we reached the hospital. The ride was a slow, leisurely drive of about one and a half miles.

The quality of service was excellent. Of course, paramedics are very experienced and swift with starting IV lines, even when the ambulance is moving. In this case, the ambulance was parked in front of my house. The rest of the service was preparatory to my arrival at the hospital. I was treated with respect and dignity. I do believe that $669 was a bit much, though, for a mile and a half long trip and a needle poke.

Ambulance services are very expensive, especially when they aren't truly needed. Every person has the right to refuse a service that he or she did not request. In my case, my husband called the ambulance thinking that I had a true emergency. I've learned since then, that I can very easily drive or take a taxi to get checked out. If you do have a life and death situation, by all means, take the ambulance. Otherwise, call a cab. It's much cheaper.