Not All Ambulance Services are covered by Medicare

What does this mean to you? As a patient, you will be billed for ambulance services and will be responsible for payment.

Are there ways to cover the costs of Ambulance Services? It is a good idea to have extra insurance (through a third-party provider such as Blue Cross, Voyager, CAA or a company plan of your choice) so that if an emergency arises requiring ambulance transportation, you will be covered for part of the costs. Make sure the insurer explains the services that will or will not be covered by the plan you choose.

Are there times when Ambulance Services are paid for? Manitoba Health will fund inter-facility transports provided by land systems that are eligible under the Manitoba Ambulance Services Program (MASP). 
 

Eligibility includes all of the following:

• Patient must be a resident of Manitoba with a valid Manitoba Health card.
• Patient medically requires transportation by ambulance as determined by a physician.
• Patient is being transported between designated health-care facilities for diagnostic tests or treatments, or from a more specialized level of care to another facility closer to home for rehabilitation or recovery.

and the patient is not eligible for any other coverage as listed:

• RCMP Benefit Program.
• Canadian Forces member.
• Canadian Forces veteran eligible for health care benefits from Veterans Affairs.
• Inmate of a Federal prison or penitentiary.
• Illness or injury originated as an eligible claim under WCB.
• Illness or injury is directly or indirectly the result of a Motor Vehicle accident insurable under Manitoba Public Insurance or other auto insurance program.
• Receiving Social Assistance funding.
• First Nations or Inuit person entitled to receive benefits under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (Health Canada).

Long Term Care Resident trips may be covered by MASP and/or the Personal Care Home Resident Transportation Guidelines.

How much does it cost for Ambulance Services?

The City of Brandon Fire Department Ambulance Rates (January 1—December 31, 2012):
   

Primary Service Area:
Emergency and Non Emergency Medical Response	$421.00
Additional charges as applicable:
Basic Life Support Fee	$100.00
Advanced Life Support Fee	$200.00
Out of Community Resident Surcharge	$150.00
Out of Province Resident Surcharge	$220.00

Long Distance Trips
Winnipeg Base Rate (includes return trip same day)	$1096.00
Excluding Winnipeg	$135.00 per hour

Special Event Rate (includes two staff members):

• Rate for first three hours - $400.00
• For the fourth and subsequent hours - $200.00
• Any trips arising out of the event will be billed to the patient in accordance with the applicable fees 

Please Note:

• A Resident is a person who resides within the City of Brandon or in an area which has a signed Emergency Service Agreement with the City of Brandon.
• A Non-Resident is any person to whom the term resident does not apply.
• A Cancellation Fee of $425.00 will be charged if a trip is cancelled after personnel have been called in to provide the service.

For more information on ambulance fees, please call the
Brandon Fire Department Emergency Services at 729-2409.

  Rates in effect until December 31, 2012

November 14, 2006 MB Health News Release on Ambulance Transfers Funding