Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
New research has been published this week, assessing the average cost of an ambulance callout in South Africa. The data, compiled by JustMoney, shows just how quickly the price can rise while you’re receiving emergency treatment.
For millions of South Africans, this is something of a non-issue. Any medical insurance policy worth its salt will cover the cost of your ambulance callout. However, not everyone in Mzansi has this luxury. Some take a risk, and decide against paying for medical aid, whereas others simply cannot afford to take a policy out.
Running up the bills
And, when the worst happens, they get lumped with an eye-watering bill. JustMoney Marketing Manager Shafeeka Anthony has stressed just how important it is – for those who can afford it – to have some form of insurance in place.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has made us far more aware of the possibility of needing health services in a hurry. Having proper medical cover in place is essential, and it’s well worthwhile educating yourself on the schemes available, and heeding advice to ensure you have the right cover for your needs.”
What does it cost to call an ambulance in South Africa?
As you may expect, the cost of calling out an ambulance – regardless of who will foot the bill – doesn’t come cheap. There are three types of interventions (basic, intermediate, and advanced) that paramedics are obliged to carry out with patients, and this will determine just how much the grand total comes to.
| Advanced Life support | Intermediate Life Support | Basic Life Support | ||
| Metropolitan Area | X | X | X | |
| Up to 45 Minutes | – | R2,434.53 | R1,902.99 | |
| Up to 60 Minutes | R4,281.29 | – | R2,535.09 | |
| Every 15 Minutes thereafter | R1,070.32 | R811.56 | R634.33 | |
| Long Distance | X | X | X | |
| Per km (>100km) with patient | R53.41 | R40.65 | R31.65 | |
| Per km (<100km) | R10.52 | R10.52 | R11.11 |
Are you allowed to refuse treatment in an ambulance?
There are some cases where an ambulance may be summoned on someone else’s behalf. If this is the case, a person CAN refuse medical treatment, and avoid getting in the vehicle. However, the attending medics must make sure an individual is not in a life-threatening state before they leave the scene.
“A patient can refuse care, regardless of whether they can afford it or not. If a person refuses transport due to finances, it’s their choice. But the onus remains on medics to make sure that the person is not in a life-threatening situation. Medical service providers should assist with life-threatening cases, even where patients cannot pay.”
Shalen Ramduth, director of operations at Netcare 911.
