About the national problem

In U.S. states, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover the cost it takes to transport a patient. Ambulance services cannot bill a patient directly for transports, either. Aside from insurance agencies, they are most often funded by their local county rather than by a state agency or federal program.

In rural counties of those states, funding for emergency medical services (EMS) is left up to local municipalities, county taxes, grants, partnerships with the local hospital, and working odd jobs to make ends meet.

The cost to run an ambulance service outweighs any profit it would make from transports alone. More research is located at the top of the page in Wakelet. Click through the graphics and images above, or see the written story below, to find out the details on the national dilemma. You can find more information below about the statewide issue in Alabama, as well.