# Is it true that when you call an ambulance for someone, you have to pay for it? (need answer fast) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 23, 2016, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621 "2016-09-23T04:24:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/61 "2016-09-26T13:16:45Z")
> [@guitario](#): > > Being British, I find it unfathomable how it works in North America, but even so, I would assume that if you couldn’t afford to foot the bill… you could either wing it down to something like $5 per month, or not pay and it would be a civil matter and not criminal (akin to credit card or loan debt)? You’re right, actually. First, like others have said, they don’t rifle through your pockets to see if you can pay- they take you to the ER, who will also treat you without regard for your ability to pay. Then they send you and/or your insurance carrier the bills. If you have no insurance or can’t pay, you can usually negotiate at that point. When I was taken to the ER by ambulance, it cost roughly $1200 all said and done, and the hospital was willing, even eager to let me pay in $100 monthly installments for the next year- interest free. I got lucky- I had my little trip to the ER, got back, and found a well paying full-time job between then and when the first bill came due. So $100/month wasn’t a huge burden. I imagine had I asked for 24 months at $50, they might have done that as well- they seemed surprisingly happy to hear that someone was willing to pay at all. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/62 "2016-09-26T15:39:04Z")
> [@pathrunner](#): > > Ambulance companies have independent contracts with hospitals. Their bills in general go through the hospital, so the person receiving treatment is the person who will also get the bill for the Ambulance, helicopter, or fire department that assisted them. Only if it’s a hospital-based ambulance. If it’s a separate entity they would send you their own bill. > [@pathrunner](#): > > The only time you would be liable for the bill would be under the premise of a false call. So if you called an ambulance for your neighbor who didn’t request one, you could be on the hook for the bill. Not true, at least in the US. You could potentially be criminally charged with false calls but that’s separate from an ambulance bill for service. Potentially, they don’t even know who called. If you’re at your neighbors & use their phone there is no information to bill you. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/63 "2016-09-26T16:47:25Z")
Thats the whole point of taxes. I may (I hope) never have to use an ambulance, but the fact I pay municipal rates means that I have confidence that when I need one, I’ll get it and not worry about having to pay. Serious question, does the fire brigade charge you as well in America? And $1200 and above for an ambulance ride? What do they have in there, cocaine and hookers? ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/64 "2016-09-26T18:52:24Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > And $1200 and above for an ambulance ride? What do they have in there, cocaine and hookers? Because a fully equipped ambulance (vehicle + equipment) is \> $100,000 + the cost of skilled personal standing by 24x7x365/6. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/65 "2016-09-26T20:07:58Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Serious question, does the fire brigade charge you as well in America? I know it’s a few years old but I’m sure it’s still relevant… > **[Fire Departments Charge for Service, Asking Accident Victims to Pay Up](https://abcnews.go.com/Business/fire-department-bills-basic-services-horrify-residents-insurance/story?id=9736696)** > > The growing trend of allowing fire departments to bill insurance companies and accident victims for responding to house fires and car accidents has horrified insurance companies and residents who say the services should be covered by taxes. And it’s an old and not black-and-white debate in society (all societies) about when it’s best for everyone to pay for a service and when it should be paid by the people who directly benefit from it. Such as whether to pay for a new bridge using transportation budget money or a toll on the bridge. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/66 "2016-09-26T20:31:04Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > So if you can’t afford to pay, you just stay home and die of pneumonia? > > Kneels down and kisses the floor of the NHS. NHS has it’s problems with it’s "free to the user’ Ambulance service- since of course it’s \*not free at all. \* You also can be put on a restricted list, which means you might well have to pay for that ride, even in the UK. > **[Frequent 999 callers cost NHS millions of pounds a year](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/dec/25/frequent-999-callers-nhs-england-ambulance-emergency)** > > Ambulance services across England develop programme to change behaviour of emergency ‘frequent fliers’ In the USA, if you truly can’t afford to pay, you dont have to. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/67 "2016-09-26T22:09:14Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > NHS has it’s problems with it’s "free to the user’ Ambulance service- since of course it’s \*not free at all. \* it is free to the user, what evidence do you have that it is not. I break my leg…an ambulance comes…no bill is ever issued. What part of that is not free? > [@](#): > > You also can be put on a restricted list, which means you might well have to pay for that ride, even in the UK. > [Frequent 999 callers cost NHS millions of pounds a year | Emergency services | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/dec/25/frequent-999-callers-nhs-england-ambulance-emergency) Nowhere in that article does it mention having to pay for an ambulance. It talks about the internal cost of an ambulance for the NHS, not the billing of patients. > [@](#): > > In the USA, if you truly can’t afford to pay, you dont have to. In the UK even if you can truly afford to pay you don’t have to, which part of that don’t you believe? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/68 "2016-09-26T22:34:28Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > it is free to the user, what evidence do you have that it is not. I break my leg…an ambulance comes…no bill is ever issued. What part of that is not free? > Nowhere in that article does it mention having to pay for an ambulance. It talks about the internal cost of an ambulance for the NHS, not the billing of patients. _There is no such thing as a free lunch._ You pay for the “free” care thru higher taxes. If you insist on getting a ride after you have gotten a “Restricted send” letter, I assume you have to pay, since the NHS wont pay. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/69 "2016-09-27T00:09:19Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > _There is no such thing as a free lunch._ You pay for the “free” care thru higher taxes. **Society** pays for healthcare in many countries through higher taxes so that individuals aren’t forced to assume potentially bankrupting expenses that they have no control over. Same with firefighting. Same with policing. etc. For the individual recipient, they are free. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/70 "2016-09-27T00:46:09Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Thats the whole point of taxes. I may (I hope) never have to use an ambulance, but the fact I pay municipal rates means that I have confidence that when I need one, I’ll get it and not worry about having to pay. > > Serious question, does the fire brigade charge you as well in America? Two ambulance companies in my town, both private businesses. They’re not paid with tax money. The fire department is part of the city or county government, so no extra charge for their services. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/71 "2016-09-27T06:51:26Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > _There is no such thing as a free lunch._ You pay for the “free” care thru higher taxes. Of course the funding has to come from somewhere, as for all services. But the individual doesn’t receive a bill, it is all free at the point of use. Just like schools. I’m sure you wouldn’t quibble over calling elementary school “free”. > [@](#): > > If you insist on getting a ride after you have gotten a “Restricted send” letter, I assume you have to pay, since the NHS wont pay. You assume incorrectly. In those (vanishingly rare) circumstances the NHS may well put you under greater scrutiny before sending an ambulance in order to make sure that you really do need emergency care but once they do, you aren’t getting a bill. “restricted send” letter or not. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/72 "2016-09-27T07:22:55Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Serious question, does the fire brigade charge you as well in America? It’s not the norm at all, but there are places where this happens. Either you get a bill for services after using them _or_ you have to pay a subscription in advance. In the latter case, if you have a fire and haven’t paid, they’ll probably come by to save lives or keep the fire from spreading to a neighbor’s property. But they won’t put your house out. Again, this isn’t normal, it’s usually something that happens in very rural areas where there isn’t much in the way of government at all. There are also a few communities where the fire department charges for responding to vehicle accidents. This is usually in smaller towns where the state routed a major highway through but left the fire and EMS response to the locals as an unfunded mandate. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/73 "2016-09-27T12:14:55Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Serious question, does the fire brigade charge you as well in America? There are 50 states, PA alone has 67 counties, then numerous towns, townships, boroughs, & municipalities within a county, & many of them have multiple fire depts. In short with so many, I’m sure some might though most don’t. > [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > It’s not the norm at all, but there are places where this happens. Either you get a bill for services after using them _or_ you have to pay a subscription in advance. In the latter case, if you have a fire and haven’t paid, they’ll probably come by to save lives or keep the fire from spreading to a neighbor’s property. But they won’t put your house out. Again, this isn’t normal, it’s usually something that happens in very rural areas where there isn’t much in the way of government at all. Do you have a cite for this? > [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > There are also a few communities where the fire department charges for responding to vehicle accidents. This is usually in smaller towns where the state routed a major highway through but left the fire and EMS response to the locals as an unfunded mandate. **A** is in an accident, airbags deploy. This creates much powder"smoke" in the passenger compartment. **B** is driving along, sees the “smoke” & calls 911 to report an accident with vehicle fire. (You’d be surprised how often this happens in real life). FD arrives, the powder/“smoke” has dissipated/settled & FD is obviously not needed. Why should **A** get a bill for something they didn’t request or didn’t need? The next time fire or EMS is dispatched to a call where, ultimately, their service is not needed will hardly be the first time. They’re used to it, it’s part of the job. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/74 "2016-09-27T12:58:53Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > There are 50 states, PA alone has 67 counties, then numerous towns, townships, boroughs, & municipalities within a county, & many of them have multiple fire depts. In short with so many, I’m sure some might though most don’t. My small town in western PA has an all volunteer fire department. Unfortunately, this means that some volunteer fire people are overly-into firefighting (starting blazes when things are slow) and some calls are not answered quickly due to poor response. We also have a severely understaffed/underpaid police force. Some calls are passed on to the state police. Our police chief was arrested a few years ago when it was discovered he was selling confiscated guns. ---
**Author:** ![Grim\_Render](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@Grim\_Render](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Render)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/75 "2016-09-27T13:32:01Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > _There is no such thing as a free lunch._ You pay for the “free” care thru higher taxes. This, as I have pointed out earlier in the thread, is not correct. The amount of tax paid for healthcare is higher in the US than in most other developed nations despite US government healthcare only covering a minority of the population. In the specific case of the NHS, it is tax-funded to the tune of costing 2900 per citizen. Government healthcare in the US costs the US taxpayer 4200 per citizen. Overall, the NHS gets better results in addition to the full coverage. As for the first part of the statement, “_There is no such thing as a free lunch_” that seems to assume that things are being run at such a high level of efficiency that different setups cannot provide better results for less money. This is fairly obviously incorrect as regards the US healthcare system. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/76 "2016-09-27T13:55:20Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Do you have a cite for this? [Here you go](http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/12/07/9272989-firefighters-let-home-burn-over-75-fee-again). > [@](#): > > Firefighters stood by and watched a Tennessee house burn to the ground earlier this week because the homeowners didn’t pay the annual subscription fee for fire service. > > \ > > It’s the second time in two years firefighters in the area have watched a house burn because of unpaid fees. Last year, Gene Cranick of Obion County and his family lost all of their possessions in a house fire, along with three dogs and a cat, because the fire fee wasn’t paid. > > Related: No pay, no spray: Firefighters watch home burn > > People in the city of South Fulton have fire protection, but those in the surrounding county do not unless they pay a $75 annual fee. > > The city makes no exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/77 "2016-09-27T15:45:03Z")
:eek: Fuck. Please tell me the police is a service. Or they make you pay for that as well. _Put you hands in the air you wife beater and errr Miss, could you please fill in the form with your credit card details_:eek: What about prisons? Do the inmates have to pay for the costs of their incarceration? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/78 "2016-09-27T16:00:15Z")
No, the police are free. But yes, [inmates do pay](https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/blog/Charging_Inmates_Mass_Incarceration.pdf) for the cost of their own incarceration in some US jurisdictions. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/79 "2016-09-27T16:41:49Z")
> [@Grim\_Render](#): > > This, as I have pointed out earlier in the thread, is not correct. The amount of tax paid for healthcare is higher in the US than in most other developed nations despite US government healthcare only covering a minority of the population. > > In the specific case of the NHS, it is tax-funded to the tune of costing 2900 per citizen. Government healthcare in the US costs the US taxpayer 4200 per citizen. Overall, the NHS gets better results in addition to the full coverage. > > As for the first part of the statement, “_There is no such thing as a free lunch_” that seems to assume that things are being run at such a high level of efficiency that different setups cannot provide better results for less money. > > This is fairly obviously incorrect as regards the US healthcare system. Yes, there are certain advantages to a NHS. But it’s still not “_free_” , thus, yes, I was correct. Having your wife find a dress marked down 40% may be a bargain, but it’s not “free”. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621/80 "2016-09-27T16:42:51Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > :eek: > Fuck. Please tell me the police is a service. Or they make you pay for that as well. where are _you_ located? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-when-you-call-an-ambulance-for-someone-you-have-to-pay-for-it-need-answer-fast/766621.md?page=5)