Comment on Number 1 đ„
mic_check_one_two@lemmy.dbzer0.com âš11â© âšhoursâ© agoMy wife has epilepsy. She has a medical alert bracelet for it. If she has a seizure in public, she doesnât need an ambulance ride unless she hurts herself or is actively seizing for more than 5 minutes. But that wonât stop some well-intentioned bystander from saddling her with a $5000 ambulance bill while sheâs unconscious. Because a seizure leaves you confused and disoriented for ~45-60 minutes afterwards.
So even if her seizure only lasts 2-3 minutes, sheâll be out of it for a while afterwards. And EMTs can 100% use her disorientation to justify throwing her in the back of the truck, even though she doesnât need it and the hospital wonât do anything for her. But that wonât stop them from billing for the ambulance ride anyways.
oatscoop@midwest.social âš10â© âšhoursâ© ago
Itâs unfortunately legally required to transport someone thatâs not A&Ox4.
Itâs annoying when we know someone really doesnât need to go, but if we donât the responders are looking at losing their job, license, a lawsuit, or even being criminally charged.
Venat0r@lemmy.world âš6â© âšhoursâ© ago
How is an ambulance ride $5k though? Do EMTs make like $2500 p/h?
Iunnrais@piefed.social âš5â© âšhoursâ© ago
Hahahahahaha no.
webadict@lemmy.world âš5â© âšhoursâ© ago
Lmao, EMTs make like $20 an hour, itâs straight fucked.
oatscoop@midwest.social âš5â© âšhoursâ© ago
Thereâs greed (particularly with overpriced private ambulances) but ambulance are legitimately expensive to operate in the USA.