why should we be billed $500 for a 911 ambulance dispatch???

[Doggiedog]

Thats nothing.

I saw something on Dateline where there was an ambulance monopoly in southern NJ where only one company operates. They charged some people $10K to move them from one hospital annex to another right across the street. When the party refused to pay, they sued them and ruined their credit rating.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I think he's asking why you have to pay if you already pay taxes for it. Seems like a reasonable question.

*shrug*

Yep, and very few noticed that.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I think he's asking why you have to pay if you already pay taxes for it. Seems like a reasonable question.

*shrug*

In that case, the taxes are to keep the 911 service running, while the $500 is to keep the ambulances themselves running.

Well, that makes sense. Why did everyone have to go straight to offended rant mode? He was just asking a question...

 

[OrganizedChaos]

i like the system the way it is. those who use the service pay for it, and those who don't don't pay for it.

once your in the hospital its all triage anyway so how you get there dosen't matter as long as you get there.

if i'm in a situation where my life depends on that ambulance than any amount of money is a good deal as far as i'm concerned. in the case of the OP i would have had the fire dept check him to see if hes stable and can be moved then take him to the hospital myself. if he couldn't be moved safely then hes in big enough trouble that any cost is reasonable.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I think he's asking why you have to pay if you already pay taxes for it. Seems like a reasonable question.

*shrug*

In that case, the taxes are to keep the 911 service running, while the $500 is to keep the ambulances themselves running.

Well, that makes sense. Why did everyone have to go straight to offended rant mode? He was just asking a question...

*shrug*

Ambulances are not really free anywhere except where local volunteer corps exist. Local governments in some cases fund their operations but usually it is either a company or not-for-profit that is running the show. Taxes cover the cost of the 911 system which will ensure that an ambulance will get to you. Note that there is never a charge for calling 911, just for using the services of the provided ambulance.

 

[Insane3D]

Well, see, that would have answered the question wouldn't it? Seems like half the threads here lately just become big pissing matches.

🙂

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: nietsni3

Originally posted by: amdskip
That's the norm for a 911 call.

it becomes a norm because people doing nothing about it...
if that was to be accepted, then the 911 is for rich people only, you mean?

It's for emergencies you tard. You get automatically bumped up to the front of the line - you're top priority. If you were to drive yourself there with a gunshot wound, you'd literally have to sit and fill out paperwork or some crap like that first.

It's called a service.

EDIT: Not to mention the treatment you receive while in the ambulance, and the call ahead to the hospital to arrange for fast priority treatment.

While i agree that the OP is a tard i do have disagree with one thing. IF you drive into the emergancy room yourself and it is something dire such a sa gunshot wound you do NOT have to sit and fill out paperwork before they help you.

When i was younger i suffered from a collapsed lung and drove to the Emergancy room (yeah dumb i know but didnt have insurance at the time) and i told them what happened and i got in fast. Heck i didnt fill out paperwork until the next day.

But yes if you come in by ambulance for anything you do get in before people who drove.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Well, see, that would have answered the question wouldn't it? Seems like half the threads here lately just become big pissing matches.

🙂

stfu noob! :|

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Well, see, that would have answered the question wouldn't it? Seems like half the threads here lately just become big pissing matches.

🙂

stfu noob! :|

:lips:

:heart:

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: nietsni3

Originally posted by: amdskip
That's the norm for a 911 call.

it becomes a norm because people doing nothing about it...
if that was to be accepted, then the 911 is for rich people only, you mean?

It's for emergencies you tard. You get automatically bumped up to the front of the line - you're top priority. If you were to drive yourself there with a gunshot wound, you'd literally have to sit and fill out paperwork or some crap like that first.

It's called a service.

EDIT: Not to mention the treatment you receive while in the ambulance, and the call ahead to the hospital to arrange for fast priority treatment.

While i agree that the OP is a tard i do have disagree with one thing. IF you drive into the emergancy room yourself and it is something dire such a sa gunshot wound you do NOT have to sit and fill out paperwork before they help you.

When i was younger i suffered from a collapsed lung and drove to the Emergancy room (yeah dumb i know but didnt have insurance at the time) and i told them what happened and i got in fast. Heck i didnt fill out paperwork until the next day.

But yes if you come in by ambulance for anything you do get in before people who drove.

Exactly. If you drive in with a gunshot wound, they'll be carting you to a trauma room before they even get your name. In cases of medical emergency, demographic information (insurance, address, name, etc.) is always second to care.

Also, as someone else mentioned, taxes don't cover everything. Many people cannot pay for their time spent in a hospital, and as such some of that cost is spread out over those who can. Emergency rooms (at least in non-private hospitals) are not allowed to turn patients away, regardless of their economic well-being.

 

[DrPizza]

Taxes subsidize the ambulance, but don't completely cover it. The $500 also pays for that service.
How about city swimming pools? Ever have to pay a dollar or something to get in (like in my city?)
Let's see... I pay school taxes... the school has a big football game, but I have to pay $2 to go watch the game. Shouldn't it be free? There are countless other examples of where programs aren't entirely funded by taxes, and the users have to pay a portion of the total cost.


(that the taxes should be able to support those programs completely if there wasn't as much waste - that's another issue)

 

[Gibson486]

You do know that ambulances are privately owned, right? Not all of them come from one company.

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

Anything medical will gouge you like crazy. The malpractice cases don't help =/

 

[imported_judge]

called department of transportation or who ever regulates them in your state and find you how much one + per mile they can charge. Regarding if they can charge, yes they can as you are payng for the service that they provided and your taxes are keeping for them to be able to responde to a call

 

[Looney]

Holy crap, that's expensive. Thanks to our socialized health care up here in Canada, ambulances services are free... unless they consider it a 'trivial' matter that didn't need ambulance service. Inwhich case you're charged $50 (yes, fifty) for their trouble.

 

[xXped0thugXx]

honestly, i find that ridiculous, why the hell are they getting our tax money? im gonna create a taxi service with a paramedic, and charge half so 911 has some competition.:beer:

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: Hardcore
Holy crap, that's expensive. Thanks to our socialized health care up here in Canada, ambulances services are free... unless they consider it a 'trivial' matter that didn't need ambulance service. Inwhich case you're charged $50 (yes, fifty) for their trouble.

No, it isn't free.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: DT4K

Originally posted by: Hardcore
Holy crap, that's expensive. Thanks to our socialized health care up here in Canada, ambulances services are free... unless they consider it a 'trivial' matter that didn't need ambulance service. Inwhich case you're charged $50 (yes, fifty) for their trouble.

No, it isn't free.

What is the marginal income tax rate in Canada?

Saying stuff is "free" when you pay taxes out the wazoo is funny...

 

[Scarpozzi]

Last time I was in an accident, the ambulance drove me 3 blocks to the hospital from the accident. I was billed $700.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: Pakky
You always have to pay for ambulance service. It's like 200-300 dollar/mile. But this is only if you actually ride in the ambulance. If you call them and they can come out and take care of you at the scene and you don't ride anywhere, there is no charge.

-Pak

Actually, if you call the ambulance, they are required to take you to the hospital to be at least examined in the ER. The ambulance service can't even declare someone dead, if they are in one piece. Its just another way for doctors / hospitals to profit. Hence the reason that health insurance is necessary. If you have it, you may actually pay close to what the services / drugs are worth.

 

[bootymac]

500 dollars?!?!? Whoa!

I remember when I got injured and the ambulence had to come, they only charged us 50 dollars canadian..

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster

Originally posted by: Pakky
You always have to pay for ambulance service. It's like 200-300 dollar/mile. But this is only if you actually ride in the ambulance. If you call them and they can come out and take care of you at the scene and you don't ride anywhere, there is no charge.

-Pak

Actually, if you call the ambulance, they are required to take you to the hospital to be at least examined in the ER. The ambulance service can't even declare someone dead, if they are in one piece. Its just another way for doctors / hospitals to profit. Hence the reason that health insurance is necessary. If you have it, you may actually pay close to what the services / drugs are worth.

Here's a tip. When you don't know what the hell you are talking about, keep your trap shut...

 

[etalns]

For those of you who are sitting here bashing Canada, you're a bunch of god damn idiots.

Our taxes are higher, yes, but no we don't pay some ungodly amount. Even if you make in excess of 1 million dollars you can get your taxes into the low 40's with some luck.

The main focus in Canada is the protection of our society, unfortunately a secondary concern in the United States. Noone should ever have to think twice about whether to call an ambulance or not due to a fear of whether or not they can afford the treatment. People shouldn't be turned away for treatments that can save their life because they can't afford it. I really don't mind paying more in taxes each year, it's well worth it for the quality of life that we live in Canada. You folks tout yourselves as so high and mighty, yet you'd be willing to let someone die if they can't afford treatment.

There's a reason your seniors are coming to Canada in order to get their prescription drug medicine, the health and well being of the nation is a secondary concern in the United States. It's unfortunate, you guys need that healthcare more than anyone with the utterly horrendous health of citizens in your country.

We spend an enormous amount on healthcare in Canada, but we spend a fraction of what you guys spend on your military. Our priorities are in different places, ultimately we spend roughly the same amount as you do on taxes...and our lifestyle here is loads better. This isn't some sort of shameless plug for Canada, I've lived in both places.

This was a long winded post and i'm sure the points I'm making got muddled up in all of it...but my point is simple, while your government invests money in a military to kill overseas while you let your own people suffer from inadequate healthcare, we focus our funds on subsidizing prescription costs, improving the quality of our environment (read: Kyoto Accord etc), and healthcare, the cardinal pillar of a healthy, and functional society.

 

[DingDingDao]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: MogulMonster

Originally posted by: Pakky
You always have to pay for ambulance service. It's like 200-300 dollar/mile. But this is only if you actually ride in the ambulance. If you call them and they can come out and take care of you at the scene and you don't ride anywhere, there is no charge.

-Pak

Actually, if you call the ambulance, they are required to take you to the hospital to be at least examined in the ER. The ambulance service can't even declare someone dead, if they are in one piece. Its just another way for doctors / hospitals to profit. Hence the reason that health insurance is necessary. If you have it, you may actually pay close to what the services / drugs are worth.

Here's a tip. When you don't know what the hell you are talking about, keep your trap shut...

Actually, he's sort of right. I used to be an EMT (in Texas and then again in California), and we basically can't leave patients at the scene if they called for an ambulance (too much danger of negligence/abandonment lawsuits). However, we CAN declare death in one of three situations: 1) massive blood loss, 2) beheading, and 3) massive burns (3rd degree in excess of 60% of body or something like that, can't remember exactly).

I can't really comment on the amount of money people pay in taxes for city ambulance services, but I can tell you how much it costs to keep an ambulance running. In the case of all but the most basic ambulances, most boxes (what we call them) these days carry a large amount of equipment on board for emergency treatment. It ranges from bandages and cravats to backboards, c-spine immobilizers, oxygen, nitrous oxide, and countless drugs (atropine, dopamine, epinephrine, etc. etc.). In the case of the drugs alone, they are extremely expensive and must be replaced regularly (they expire). We also have to dispose of anything that comes in contact with blood or other bodily fluids, even if they haven't been used (would you want us to use a bandage on you that had a wrapper covered in crusty blood?)

IMHO, $500 doesn't begin to cover the cost involved in having 2 or 3 trained paramedics (they need to be paid, after all) driving a vehicle that probably cost over 100K to build, filled with equipment and supplies whose value I can't even estimate, at high speed through a city to save someone's life. Personally, if I'm seriously injured or hurt, $500 doesn't seem to really be too awful to pay. But that's just my $.02.

 

Originally posted by: DingDingDao

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: MogulMonster

Originally posted by: Pakky
You always have to pay for ambulance service. It's like 200-300 dollar/mile. But this is only if you actually ride in the ambulance. If you call them and they can come out and take care of you at the scene and you don't ride anywhere, there is no charge.

-Pak

Actually, if you call the ambulance, they are required to take you to the hospital to be at least examined in the ER. The ambulance service can't even declare someone dead, if they are in one piece. Its just another way for doctors / hospitals to profit. Hence the reason that health insurance is necessary. If you have it, you may actually pay close to what the services / drugs are worth.

Here's a tip. When you don't know what the hell you are talking about, keep your trap shut...

Actually, he's sort of right. I used to be an EMT (in Texas and then again in California), and we basically can't leave patients at the scene if they called for an ambulance (too much danger of negligence/abandonment lawsuits). However, we CAN declare death in one of three situations: 1) massive blood loss, 2) beheading, and 3) massive burns (3rd degree in excess of 60% of body or something like that, can't remember exactly).

I can't really comment on the amount of money people pay in taxes for city ambulance services, but I can tell you how much it costs to keep an ambulance running. In the case of all but the most basic ambulances, most boxes (what we call them) these days carry a large amount of equipment on board for emergency treatment. It ranges from bandages and cravats to backboards, c-spine immobilizers, oxygen, nitrous oxide, and countless drugs (atropine, dopamine, epinephrine, etc. etc.). In the case of the drugs alone, they are extremely expensive and must be replaced regularly (they expire). We also have to dispose of anything that comes in contact with blood or other bodily fluids, even if they haven't been used (would you want us to use a bandage on you that had a wrapper covered in crusty blood?)

IMHO, $500 doesn't begin to cover the cost involved in having 2 or 3 trained paramedics (they need to be paid, after all) driving a vehicle that probably cost over 100K to build, filled with equipment and supplies whose value I can't even estimate, at high speed through a city to save someone's life. Personally, if I'm seriously injured or hurt, $500 doesn't seem to really be too awful to pay. But that's just my $.02.

How long ago was that? I know around 1993 there was a huge overhaul of the system.

One cannot MAKE a patient go to the hospital unless they aren't A&O x 3 or suicidal. Any patient can basically call an ambulance, be treated with pre-hospital treatment, and then refuse transportation. It is well within their legal rights. Of course , I go off of IL law, but I'm going to assume that many states aren't too different.