Cost of Ambulance Services Abroad

Costs of Ambulance Services in Different Countries

What you pay for an ambulance can vary a lot depending on where you are. While some countries like Japan offer emergency transport at little or no cost, others can leave travellers with bills running into thousands of dollars, as is often the case in the USA.

So, let's take a look at the costs of ambulance services in different countries:

Disclaimer:The ambulance costs mentioned are estimates. The real cost depends on the distance, the medical emergency and patient's condition.

Emergency Ambulance Numbers Around the World

Before you make your Iceland or Europe itinerary, you should have the following emergency number saved in your phone:

How to Save Emergency Ambulance Costs?

Emergency ambulance costs can make a huge dent in your travel budget, which you obviously do not want. So, to save on emergency ambulance costs abroad, you can try these measures:

• Buy Travel Insurance Before Travelling:Choose a policy that covers emergency ambulance transport, hospitalisation and, where relevant, medical evacuation
• Check the Ambulance Coverage Limit:Read through the policy's maximum benefit, exclusions, and whether ground and air ambulance services are covered.
• Check Reciprocal Health Card:Check if you are eligible for reciprocal health cards that provide access to certain medical facilities at a reduced cost or for free.
• Keep the Insurer's Emergency Number Handy:Save the insurer's 24-hour assistance number before travelling.
• Understand Local Ambulance services:Check whether your destination provides free or subsidised public emergency ambulances and whether tourists are charged differently.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Ambulance Costs?

Travel insurance is your ultimate umbrella to cover your unexpected ambulance costs when you are in an unfamiliar country. Most policies cover the cost requiring/dispatching an ambulance for emergencies.

For example, a policy may offer up to $250,000 for emergency medical expenses. This can include eligible ambulance costs. If you need treatment in another city or country, medical evacuation cover can provide up to $100,000 in coverage.

Where available, the insurer can also settle the bill directly with a network hospital, so you may not have to pay the full amount upfront. However, you may have to cover the deductibles, and policy terms may apply.

So before you travel, take a quick look at what your policy covers for ambulance transport and medical evacuation. That way, an unexpected emergency does not turn into an unexpected financial worry.