Why am I receiving the bill for ambulance service?
Answer coming soon...
How much does ambulance service cost?
Answer coming soon...
Will I be billed for transfers from one hospital to another?
Answer coming soon...
Who pays for a ride in the ambulance?
Residents on Alberta Social Services receive full ambulance cost coverage. Blue Cross andother plans generally reimburse a large portion of costs.
When I had my accident, the paramedics provided care on the scene, is there any charge for this service?
Answer coming soon...
I have received a bill from the hospital for ambulance service, but I know that your service is not operated by the hospital. Why is the hospital billing me?
Answer coming soon...
The hospital sent me to another hospital by ambulance. Will I be billed?
Answer coming soon...
What is an EMT and a Paramedic and what do BLS and ALS mean?
Answer coming soon...
When is an ambulance required?
Sometimes, it may be difficult to decide what consists of an emergency that requires ambulance care.
Here are a few tips to help you make the right decision. If the patient is experiencing or dysplaying:
- A change in level of mentation (drowsiness, confusion, slurred speach, unconscious, etc.) - Respiratory compromise (difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, choking, making strange noises like snoring or gurgling, etc.) - Changes in circulation (pale or bluish/gray skin colour, sweating, weak or irregular pulse, absent pulse, etc.) - Serious injuries (fractures, bleeding, concussions, burns, falls, etc.) - Pain (sudden, worsening, or unusual) - Any other problems relating to chronic or acute conditions (heart, respiratory, pregnancy, diabetes, cancer, seizures, etc.)
Of course, this list in no way limits the reasons to call an ambulance, nor does it replace proper training and recognition of medical ailments.
Also, go with your instinct. We see healthy people around us every day; if they don't seem well to you we are only a phone call away.
The best things to do is learn about the medical problems that affect you and your family and friends. Sign up for a first aid and CPR course. Make an appointment with your doctor, ask your pharmacist, or talk to your communitiy nurse to discuss the possible complications and side effects of the medical problems that affect you and the medications that you take to treat those problems. Keep an up to date record of these medical conditions and all the medications you take, prescription or over the counter. Have this information is invaluable to the ambulance staff responding to your emergency.