How Much Is an Ambulance Ride? Costs and Financing Options

If you thought you felt sick when you called 911 for an ambulance, just wait until you get the bill for that ambulance ride!

The cost of an ambulance ride has increased significantly in recent years. According to a recent study from Fair Health, the charge for advanced life support (ALS) ground ambulance services increased by 22.6% in 2020, while the charge for basic life support (BLS) ambulance rides saw a 17.5% increase. That brings the average charge for an ALS ambulance ride to $1,277 and BLS to $940.¹

Why are ambulance rides so expensive? We explain what the cost of ambulance rides can include and some of the different ways to pay for it.

Cost of ALS vs. BLS Ambulance Services

The key difference in cost between ALS and BLS ambulance services comes down to the different services each can provide.

BLS ambulance

BLS ambulances are staffed by EMTs and offer what's called “first-step treatment." They provide transport for patients in need of basic medical monitoring for issues like lower body fractures and medical and surgical patients who don't require cardiac monitoring. They can provide first aid, CPR and AED, and basic airway management.

ALS ambulance

ALS ambulances are staffed by paramedics who've been trained to provide more advanced clinical monitoring and interventions, such as cardiac monitoring, advanced airway management, and IV and medication administration.

In most cases, you don't get to choose which type of ambulance service comes when you call for emergency help. Emergency dispatchers usually choose the closest ambulance to you or the most appropriate, depending on your location or the nature of the emergency.¹

Average Cost of Ambulance Rides

The average charge for an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance ride is $1,277 and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance ride is $940,¹ but you can pay considerably more or less depending on the state and even the part of the state you live in. It's not just the ambulance fee that varies, but also the mileage cost. In some cases, you may pay an extra charge per mile if the ambulance has to travel on unpaved roads.²

Take Washington, for instance. The fee is $1,000 for a BLS or ALS ambulance, plus $15.00 per loaded mile in the District of Columbia,³ while in Tacoma (Washington state), the mileage rate is $20 per mile on top of $980 for BLS transportation and $1,220 for ALS.⁴

In Alaska, in addition to a mileage fee of $12, residents of the Anchorage municipality pay $800 for BLS and $900 for ALS transport, while those who reside outside of Anchorage pay $100 more for each type of ambulance ride.⁵

In New York City, the cost of a BLS ambulance ride is $900, and an ALS ride costs $1,525 or $1,625 depending on the level of service required. The mileage charge is $15 per mile.⁶

Ambulance fees are even more expensive in Chicago. In the Windy City, a BLS ambulance ride costs a whopping $2,946 and an ALS ambulance is $3,227. There's also a $19 fee per mile on top of that.⁷

You can find out how much an ambulance ride costs in your area by contacting your local health department.

Why Do Ambulance Rides Cost So Much?

There are a lot of factors that impact how much a person pays for an ambulance ride. These include:⁸

• Operating costs. Ambulances are expensive to operate. Along with staffing, other costs go into operating an ambulance, like facility rent, fuel and supplies.

• BLS or ALS. The type of service matters, too. It costs more to provide advanced life support. Everything from the equipment to the training and wages of the responders is more expensive in ALS.

• The treatment provided. Along with the difference between BLS and ALS, the actual treatment received by the medical crew can also affect what you pay. For instance, if you receive oxygen and/or medications, need CPR or are intubated, it'll cost you.

• The state you live in. Some states impose an out-of-network charge on ambulance rides that could result in a surprise bill. These include California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.⁹

• The county/city you live in. In some counties — such as Montgomery, Alabama — residents don't receive a bill or pay a copay or deductible if they call 911 for an ambulance. The rides are covered by the resident's private insurance or Medicare if they have it, and the ride is covered for county taxpayers who don't have insurance.¹⁰

• Mileage. An ambulance will usually take you to the closest hospital or trauma center.¹ In some situations, an ambulance may have to travel longer distances (for example, if you live in a rural area or if you need specialized care). The farther the distance, the more expensive the ambulance ride.

• Insurance. Unless you have the option to choose an ambulance service that has a contract with your insurance provider (which is unlikely in most cases) you'll likely pay more out of pocket for an ambulance ride.

How to Pay for an Ambulance Ride

You have a few options for paying for an ambulance ride, including cash or a credit card. Before you pay, be sure to check with your insurance provider to see if your plan covers some or all of the cost.

Some private health insurance policies cover a portion of the cost if the ambulance ride is deemed an emergency or medically necessary by your doctor. Your auto insurance plan may cover ambulance fees if you have a car accident.⁸

Your Medicare plan may cover emergency and sometimes non-emergency ambulance transport. If you meet the eligibility criteria, Part B covers 80% of the Medicare-approved amount, so you pay a 20% coinsurance after meeting your Part B deductible, which is $233 (in 2022).¹¹

You can also use the CareCredit credit card to pay costs not covered by your health insurance.*

How to Negotiate a Discount for an Ambulance Ride

Some companies, fire departments and hospitals have ambulance membership programs that offer discounts to members who pay an annual fee. If you enroll in one of these programs, be sure to read what's included as the service may be limited to a single provider or limited-service area.¹²

Alternatives to Ambulance Rides

It may be tempting to try to drive yourself or even walk or bike to the hospital to avoid paying the ambulance bill. While there are situations when you might be able to turn to an alternative, in a medical emergency, forget about the cost and call 911. It's the best way to access emergency, life-saving medical care.

In non-emergency situations, instead of calling 911 for an ambulance, you can consider calling a friend or family member for a ride to the hospital, hailing a cab or calling a rideshare like Uber or Lyft. If you're up to it, you could drive yourself, though that's not recommended if you're feeling dizzy or have any symptom that compromises your motor skills, vision or judgment.⁸

CareCredit Financing for Emergency Care

If you are looking for an option to help manage your medical bills, consider healthcare financing with the CareCredit credit card. The CareCredit card can help you pay for the care you want and need and make payments easy to manage.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a provider near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today, and more.