While nearly half of consumers have been transported by an ambulance at some point in their lives, more individuals are forgoing taking rides in them because they can’t afford the costs, according to the results of a recent poll. Nearly one-quarter of those who participated in the poll who needed immediate transportation to a hospital chose not to call for an ambulance because of how much the ride would cost. Instead, most of those people opted to get a ride to the hospital from a friend. One-fifth of those people chose to drive themselves.
Insurance coverage significantly impacts the financial burden of ambulance rides. The survey indicates that 61% of insured Americans who used an ambulance did not have to pay anything out of pocket. In stark contrast, 22% of uninsured Americans faced bills exceeding $2,000 for their last ambulance ride. This discrepancy highlights the critical role of insurance in managing unexpected medical expenses.
About 37% of respondents said the amount owed for their last ambulance trip was higher than expected. This financial surprise is particularly pronounced among those who paid over $300 out of pocket, with 84% expressing that the cost was more than they anticipated.
- Income Disparity: Americans with a household income of less than $50,000 are significantly more likely to have used an ambulance service (57%) compared to those with a household income of $100,000 or more (34%).
- Age Factor: Older adults, particularly those aged 65 and older, are three times as likely (63%) to have been in an ambulance compared to adults under 30 (22%).
- Racial and Ethnic Differences: Greater shares of White (50%) and Black (47%) Americans have used ambulance services than Hispanic Americans (37%).
A majority of Americans would support legislation requiring health insurance companies to cover the cost of ambulance services or a law capping the out-of-pocket cost to ride in an ambulance at $100.
