The cost of using an ambulance to get to the hospital or healthcare provider

[Ciel]

In the forum, there has been occasional discussion about what the cost of an ambulance ride is depending upon which province one is in when the service is required. In Ontario, it's a $45 bill to the patient unless the doctor at the receiving end of the ride says it was necessary or other criteria are met.

The community paper published an article this week mention the variation in ride bills across Canada. Thought SCers might like knowing the amounts as SCers do travel across provincial borders.

Mark Nesbitt, media relations co-ordinator for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care said the $45 co-payment fee for insured ambulance services has been in place since 1992.Because ambulance services fall outside the Canada Health Act, individual provinces are free to set their own fees. Ontario's are actually among the lowest in Canada.
In Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, ambulance fees can range between $245 and $270, plus per-kilometre charges in some areas.
In Ontario, users will receive a bill from their local service provider.

https://www.thespec.com/living-story...bulance-bill-/

[momof3heathens]

It's been my experience in BC if someone else calls an ambulance on your behalf there isn't a charge.

[GatineauGirl]

Ambulance is expensive in Quebec. We had to use one in March, extreme emergency....cost us over $100 just to drive 10 minutes away. Healthcare is so expensive!

[Cake]

In Winnipeg it is $529 and that is subsidized. The basic rate is $846.

$45 or $100 is cheap.

[Ciel]

Whoa-quite the range of service charges for an ambulance ride depending on the province! I understand in BC, residents pay for their health card and coverage. Did not know a third party can call in an ambulance and the person in need does not get charged for it.

It's possible to call for an ambulance to attend a site but an injured person in Ontario can receive paramedic attention but decline a ride to a hospital.

Ontarians with net income of over $20000 pay an increasing rate of health tax up to $750 per year via their income tax returns. Under $20000 net income, no health tax. The health card is free to obtain but one has to meet residency requirements and wait 3 months to access covered care if new to the province. Takes up to 5-6 weeks to get the card after the photo is taken at time of application remittance.

[Darth Penguin]

Ambulance is expensive in Quebec. We had to use one in March, extreme emergency....cost us over $100 just to drive 10 minutes away. Healthcare is so expensive!

IIRC, it cost me $145 to take DH to hospital in December. It was a 25 minute trip with him dropping in and out of consciousness and with differing degrees of lucidity . There would have been no way I could have driven him. It was unpleasant enough as a passenger.

[SassyAshley]

I do not know if things have changed in Ontario as a few years ago a co worker was in an accident and an ambulance attended the scene but was not needed. A couple months later they got a bill for the ambulance coming to the scene of the accident even though no one was transported to the hospital.

[Natalka]

SK - The basic pick-up charge for an ambulance in Saskatchewan is between $245 and $325. The cost of the per-kilometre charge is $2.30. There can also be an hourly waiting fee, and escort fee.

There are programs available for low income individuals

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/resident...lance-services

[Ciel]

I do not know if things have changed in Ontario as a few years ago a co worker was in an accident and an ambulance attended the scene but was not needed. A couple months later they got a bill for the ambulance coming to the scene of the accident even though no one was transported to the hospital.

Still $45 and HST in Ontario. Dad had an ambulance ride in September.

I do know that if anyone has an accident outside of their usual place of residence, the fire dept. can bill him/her for any rescue services provided to a non-resident (Burlington, ON and Hamilton, ON do). As for the ambulance attending, I'm sure there is a basis that allowed for the bill. Someone must have called for the ambulance.

[Natalka]

In SK, in October, had two ambulance trips within a week, $325 cost for each.

[Ciel]

@Natalka -yowsers! You did explain what makes up the costs for a ride in SK but still the amount astonishes me!

[Natalka]

@Ciel

Hoping to get some back through husband's work insurance. Unsure if they will cover more than one, though. He has yet submit the receipt...