Why do ambulances charge money?

Question

Why do ambulances charge money? I don't understand since we pay so much tax here in the U.S.?

Answer 1

All ambulances are run by a company. All companies are a business. Many of these companies have contracts with hospitals. Like any company they charge for their service. They have overhead just like any company would. Hospitals do not pay the ambulance company for their service. The person using that service pays. I know that the cost is rather high, but then all medical services are high. That is why it is wise to carry insurance to cover such cost.

Answer 2

Think about it. The Community you live in collected taxes from the residents. The State you live in told your community how much of that money they could use to help the people of the community that paid the tax. The State miscalculated or stole outright your tax monies. A properly equipped Ambulance costs around $175,000. The crew costs probably a half million in tuition and training costs. The ride from your home to a hospital probably costs about $400 a mile. All things considered. You pay a co-pay of 50 bucks. So what?

Answer 3

ambulances have to charge money to keep them available for "real" emergencies.
If they were free someone with a cut on their hand who would normally have to call a friend for a ride would just call an ambulance, they would become the local taxi to the hospital.
This would not help for those in true need of on sight help.
My mother died at home (heart attack) and the ambulance
was their in less than 10 minutes, if this were a free service I doubt if anyone would have made it for hours.


as for those who wish for free health care

first you are saying you want the Government in full control of your health care and all that it provides.

second they can not even get the DMV to work well how do you think they will handle health care??

Answer 4

We don't have free public health care our taxes don't cover that. Ambulances cost a lot because they have to pay the drivers, gas, and maintain all of the equipment and supplies that come with. People in other countries pay much higher taxes, but get free health care.

Answer 5

No, you can't. You are liable for being taken by ambulance to the waiting room because you had drank too much and the ambulance crew felt some supervision was needed. You could have tried to refuse them taking you, but since you didn't, or they felt they needed to take you, you don't receive your money back as you are still responsible and liable for them taking you.

Answer 6

well, how else would you expect us ambulance people to get paid??? i work for a private service that does not get money from the county.. think about it on an ambulance you have paid professionals, all of the equipment...
what you are asking is the same as why do drs charge for an office visit, we all gotta support ourself somehow...
i also volunteer, and do not get paid for that!

Answer 7

Taxes don't directly pay for ambulance rides. They are treated like any other medical expense, so they are paid by government programs (like Medicaid), health insurance, or you.

Answer 8

It's the same in Australia. I don't understand why we need to pay for health. I guess it's just a way to make more money for the government so they can use it to fund for research

Answer 9

simple answer: another way to make money..another way after taxes to rip ppl off..w/ a "abulance van ride"..even though our taxes are paying much medical expenses,public school fees,and taxes that are also going forward for the war..etc..we still have to pay muchhhhhhh more...one doc visit is like 100 dollars to 150 doll..a average wage person would have to give up a whole weeks salary to pay that one doctor's fee..to cut the answer short, there are going to be fees for EVERY thing on this planet..nothing is free..

Answer 10

Because they're a business. Just like every other business, you pay for services rendered.