Think twice before calling 911 in PG County

[oldman]

I don't mind paying for ambulance service but I have a very hard time understanding why the cost is so high. Almost 4 years ago I was transported from one hospital to another, 15 miles, and was charged $1100 or $1200. I had walked into the first hospital on my own so wasn't in terrible shape. Had I known what they were going to charge me I would have gotten my brother to give me a ride and been none the worse for wear. My insurance did cover the vast majority of it but still....

[CalvertNewbie]

Originally Posted by greeneyes36

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very much the intent. you would not believe half of the nonsense up the road that the EMS service is called out for. lived there many years and ex-hubby is paid firefighter there. unbelievable some of the scenarios.

My ex is FDNY. Prior to becoming a firefighter, he was a medic there. He worked in the Bronx (aka Section 8 Central). They always used the ambulances as a taxi service and there was nothing the ambulance companies could do about it. If they didn't transport these people, they'd be sued for discrimination. What a waste of resources, not to mention it was never fun going into the Bronx housing projects, especially when you worked night shift! I didn't know that they did that down here, too, although I should have guessed that PG county wouldn't be much different than the ghettos of NY.

[ImnoMensa]

Originally Posted by oldman

I don't mind paying for ambulance service but I have a very hard time understanding why the cost is so high. Almost 4 years ago I was transported from one hospital to another, 15 miles, and was charged $1100 or $1200. I had walked into the first hospital on my own so wasn't in terrible shape. Had I known what they were going to charge me I would have gotten my brother to give me a ride and been none the worse for wear. My insurance did cover the vast majority of it but still....

Your cost is so high because you are paying for those who dont pay.

Nothing has changed except now the people with insurance who were paying ridiculous charges at the hospital to cover those with no insurance will now add the cost of an Ambulance ride being ridiculously high because of those with no insurance.

Those who never sent the Rescue Squads a donation and rode free will still be riding free and jamming up the system.

Expect your insurance rates to rise.

You see you might get your brother to take you to save a buck ,but freddie the Freeloader will still call the ambulance and still won't pay squat.

There is no beating it. There is a certain portion of the public who feels the world owes them a living, and go about proving it.

[ImnoMensa]

They will probably spend more money on some of these people trying to collect those bills than they will ever collect from the "regular" frequent callers.

[CalvertNewbie]

Originally Posted by ImnoMensa

Your cost is so high because you are paying for those who dont pay.

Nothing has changed except now the people with insurance who were paying ridiculous charges at the hospital to cover those with no insurance will now add the cost of an Ambulance ride being ridiculously high because of those with no insurance.

Those who never sent the Rescue Squads a donation and rode free will still be riding free and jamming up the system.

Expect your insurance rates to rise.

You see you might get your brother to take you to save a buck ,but freddie the Freeloader will still call the ambulance and still won't pay squat.

There is no beating it. There is a certain portion of the public who feels the world owes them a living, and go about proving it.

Yep, that about sums it up. Either way, WE pay and those who milk the system are unaffected by any of this. I've officially decided - hubby & I will just quit our jobs and go on welfare. It's about time we got something for doing nothing instead of always paying for all the lazy peeps out there with their senses of entitlement! Hey, what's that old saying? If you can't beat 'em, join 'em? JK - we actually have self respect & work ethics so welfare would never be an option for us. But it sure sounds like an easy life, ya know, with no financial obligations or responsibilities.

[chernmax]

Don't forget life flights which cost 7-8k per one way trip!!!

[CalvertNewbie]

Originally Posted by chernmax

Don't forget life flights which cost 7-8k per one way trip!!!

Yeah, you're sure right about that. I've gotten many of those bills, working in auto insurance claims for so many years. Accidents aren't cheap, nowadays, that's for sure!

[MMDad]

MVA:

To ensure stable funding for Maryland's world renowned Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System, including med-evac helicopters, ambulances, fire equipment, rescue squads, and trauma units a "surcharge" of $13.50 per year will be collected with the registration fee where applicable.

Sounds like PG is double dipping. How can they charge us up front for these services, then charge us again if we use them?

I would wager that they aren't lowering county income or property taxes that are offset by these fees, either.

[Pete (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Jeff

I am good with the idea of paying. Not a problem.

But when do my taxes go down?

If your taxes do go down the increase in insurance premiums will make it a wash. Why do they think that adding a tax or a fee will just be eaten by the insurance companies? Then people turn around and gripe about the lack of "affordable health care".

[RadioPatrol]

Originally Posted by Jeff

I am good with the idea of paying. Not a problem.

But when do my taxes go down?

Fine the ####ers aka DMV can drop that special ADD on TAX ... we pay now