• Landless2029@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    47
    ·
    10 days ago

    Fun fact. I slashed my wrist with a broken bottle at a party once. Had someone call an ambulance. They said nothing major hit. Wrapped me up. Asked if I wanted a ride.

    I said no cause it’s dumb money. Then I asked how to pay them. They said they only charge for rides. It blew my mind. My potentially life saving call didn’t cost me anything. (Its over $1,000 for an ambulance ride).

    I told them I’m good now and got a ride to the ER. Expensive stitches after waiting for hours. I should’ve taken off the bandage and walked in dripping blood.

    • superkret@feddit.org
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      50
      ·
      10 days ago

      It blows my mind that calling an ambulance could ever cost money.
      When you need an ambulance, seconds could mean the difference between life and death.
      Putting a decision in front of it that could financially ruin you or the person you’re helping is absolutely bonkers.

      • Landless2029@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        23
        ·
        10 days ago

        Yep. I was 20 years old nearly living check to check. A medical bill of $1,000+ on top of the hundreds for the ER would’ve stung bad.

      • Eiri@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        9 days ago

        I live in Quebec. Our ambulances cost money too. Although they’re less expensive than American ones (about 200 CAD).

        And yeah, literally everyone thinks that’s stupid.