Why YSK: If you’re injured or ill but it’s not life or limb threatening and you decide to call an ambulance thinking it’ll be faster and you’ll be seen first… WRONG. Ambulance crews very frequently will advise the hospital staff that you “can wait”. Then we’ll plop you into a wheel chair and push you into the waiting room with everyone else.
Don’t worry. As an American, I don’t entertain the thought of calling an ambulance for anything less than life threatening.
A lot of places are moving to “soft billing” where you’ll be sent a bill but if you don’t pay it’s written off; or no billing for residents. (Assuming you habe government run EMS and not private)
As an volunteer EMT I hate hearing that a pt doesn’t want to be transported because of the price. Life saving care shouldn’t be cost prohibitive, I’m glad my jurisdiction changed as this became more common.
American healthcare sounds fun… It’s like they always have to be on their toes and learning new tips and tricks to save money on it.
If it’s merely life-threatening, then I’ll wait for an Uber.