Why am I being billed for ambulance service?

All Ontario citizens who travel by land ambulance for medically necessary services, and who have a valid Ontario Health card, are required to pay a portion (co-payment) of the ambulance services rendered in the amount of $45.00. The only Special Exemptions are:

• Persons receiving benefits under the Ontario Works Act, the Ontario Disability Support Program Act or the Family Benefits Act.
• Persons receiving provincial social assistance (general welfare assistance or family benefits)
• Patients being transferred from one health facility to another for insured, medically necessary treatment.
• Persons enrolled in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Home Care Program.
• Patients living in one of the following facilities licensed or approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care:
  
  • Nursing home
  • Home for the aged
  • Rest home
  • Home for special care
  • Home or residence for psychiatric patients

Why was I billed $240 for ambulance service?

When an Ontario resident with a valid health card is transported within Ontario by land ambulance, and the receiving hospital physician or designate believes the use of an ambulance was medically unnecessary, the ambulance transportation is not insured under the Ontario Health Insurance Act and the patient must pay the billing institution $240.00.

I received ambulance service along with another member of my family and both of us were charged the ambulance co-payment fee. Why?

According to regulations under the Health Insurance Act, each person transported in an ambulance is responsible for payment of the appropriate ambulance co-payment charge. Therefore each patient transported, regardless of the distance or number of patients in the ambulance, is responsible for the payment of these costs. For more information see OHIP - Ambulance Services Billing.

Where can I learn CPR and First Aid?

Huron County's Emergency Medical Services does not provide community CPR or First Aid courses. Several well established organizations provide training throughout the county. Local branches of St. John Ambulance can be reached at 519.524.1076 and the Canadian Red Cross at 519.273.9339. Look under First Aid Services in the Yellow Pages for additional options.

How do I become a Paramedic?

All Huron County paramedics are graduates of a two-year Community College Ambulance and Emergency Care Program and have completed Provincial certification as an Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant (A-EMCA). As well, many of these experienced Primary Care Paramedics have furthered their education through either full or part-time programs to obtain Provincial certification as Advanced Care Paramedics.

A complete listing of Paramedic Education and Training Programs is available from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

What if I'm not happy with the service?