By Ted Roelofs
Bridge Magazine
MICHIGAN — On a given day in Michigan, anyone with a scanner listening for 911 medical calls might hear something like this: “trouble breathing,” “pain in abdomen,” “swallowed something.” Some are emergencies. Others are not.
In most municipalities, there is a good chance first on the scene will be a crew of medically-trained responders from the nearest fire station. The patient is most often whisked by ambulance to the emergency room. The ambulance bill is typically at least $500. The emergency room visit will rack up hundreds of dollars more.
But for true emergencies, few would quibble about cost. After all, who puts a price on the loved one with a heart attack who pulls through?
Full Story: Chasing the costs of ambulances