Maybe this is a stupid question....
- Thread starter St George
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Of course you have to pay.
There is usually a predetermined agency that responds.
The caller usually gets no say if they dial 911, but they are free to call any private ambulance that services the area as well.
Payment depends on the agency responding. Most will charge you. Some will write it off if you are not insured/cant pay (some municipal, some volunteer)
Each area, at least where I've run is broken down into districts. Out in PA each township contracted with a company to run EMS calls in their township, our nearby city had their own municipal EMS.
Here in NYC EMS is run by the FD which puts it own units on the street and contracts with some hospitals to provide 911 service. Closest (appropriate) unit to your call comes to get you.
In theory a pt could call a private company if they wanted their particular services. Most companies will respond if you are within their service area, some will forward you to local 911 center
Amazing
Shishkabob
Forum Chief
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Payment depends on the responding agency. Sometimes, it's completely covered by local taxes. Sometimes, it's paid 100% by the patient. Sometimes, it's a mix.
If you dial 911, 99.9% of the time it will be a single agency (some exceptions, like mutual aid, or cluster f's, like NYC). However, if you want a specific agency, you can always call their direct line for a non-emergency transport. When I did transfers in Dallas, sometimes we'd get people calling our transfer agency for 911 calls because they didn't like/ trust Dallas fire dept.
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And payment can be dependent upon whether or not you are transported. My agency only bills patients if we transport.
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Some cities will have ordinances in effect that makes this illegal. If an "emergency call" is fielded by a private ambulance service, they are legally obligated to forward it to the city and its EMS provider.
There are also some agencies that rely on fundraising exclusively and do not bill for transport.
It's tough to call the US EMS system a system since everything is so carried, towns next to each other operate entirely differently in many cases.
medic417
The Truth Provider
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And that's why patients have no motivation to buy their on BP machine or glucometer. "The ambulance will come check me for free so why waste my money?" I am aware of a number of services that once started charging for responding cut way down on welfare checks.
Shishkabob
Forum Chief
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Rather do a welfare check for a legit reason than respond L&S for half the bull we get called to and people DEMAND transport... then get pissy when we don't go L&S to the hospital...
BandageBrigade
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We do bp checks, glucose levels, and general welfare checks all the time. Free of charge. We advertise this service though, all have people call a non emergency office number to set it up. They are also welcome to stop by the garage for this service at anytime. If treatment is required (such as getting D-50) and they want to refuse after treatment there is a fee.
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We don't even charge for treat and release calls. Only transports. As field employees we are trained to be very proactive about explaining services available to help those who can't seem to do it themselves. With that said, 911 is easier so most don't listen...
Shishkabob
Forum Chief
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If you're treated, you should be charged. You used a service, you used supplies, you pay for the service and supplies.
If what we're just doing is BP / BGL checks, that's something else, but even then there should be reimbursement as you're taking a unit out of service.
If what we're just doing is BP / BGL checks, that's something else, but even then there should be reimbursement as you're taking a unit out of service.
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First of all, in my department's view, that's what people pay property taxes for.
Secondly, how can you justify charging somebody for an ambulance showing up if they were not the original callers requesting an ambulance? A prime example is a car accident where somebody driving by calls it in but does not stop and check on injuries. Should the non-injured driver be charged for an ambulance showing up if they did not call?
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Our system has a couple definitions for patients. If they don't meet the one of the definitions (such as your scenario), then they do not get charged. If they do meet one of the definitions, they will get some sort of charge.
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That could work, but my scenario was directed at Linuss's comment of if you take a unit out of service there should be reimbursement.
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I agree with you there. There has to be some other stipulation than just a unit OOS.