Province cut ambulance fees, but many Winnipeggers can’t pay bills, city report reveals

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This article was published 01/05/2023 (905 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A significant number of Winnipeggers take years to pay their ambulance fees and nearly one-third say they simply cannot afford to cover the bill.

About 43 per cent of 2022 patient ambulance invoices — worth about $2.95 million — has yet to be paid, said Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Chief Christian Schmidt.

“For some people, it is a cost issue. People don’t budget… (knowing) that they’re going to call an ambulance,” Schmidt said.

“An ambulance bill really is an unanticipated expense for an individual. Even with the work that was done back in 2019, with the (provincial ambulance) fee reduction initiative, $250 for some folks in our community can be a very significant bill.”

The provincial government decreased the patient share of ambulance fees, falling to $250 per transport in 2019 from $529 in 2016.

Even at the reduced price, Schmidt said it would be unrealistic for the city to expect it could get the money back faster, a point reflected by a new WFPS report.

City council ordered the report to find options for communicating with the public about the fees. The goal was to increase the amount collected, but the report doesn’t lay out a strategy to accomplish that.

Schmidt stressed the city already tries to help connect low-income patients with agencies that can offset or cover ambulance bills, such as private insurance, employment income assistance or the Workers Compensation Board.

Meanwhile, about 32 per cent of the people who had an outstanding bill for a Winnipeg ambulance ride last year said they can’t afford to pay it, city records noted in the report show.

The report suggests folks who use ambulances often may cope with chronic illness, addictions and/or age-related health concerns.

“In all cases, the customers are likely to be the more vulnerable people in the city, with the lowest financial means,” it states.

Based on past data, Schmidt noted the city expects about 69 per cent of ambulance patient fees will be paid within two years. However, that number increases only to 72 per cent by Year 9, when 28 per cent are expected to remain unpaid.

While that does affect the bottom line, there aren’t obvious answers to speed up payment and the city isn’t permitted to reduce or waive ambulance fees under its current agreement with the province, he said.

City council has increased the WFPS budget to cover unpaid ambulance fees in the past. However, the current agreement to provide ambulance services on behalf of Shared Health Manitoba requires the provincial agency to cover the cost, said Schmidt.

One city councillor is calling on the provincial government to provide additional help to Winnipeggers who struggle to pay for emergency services.

Coun. Sherri Rollins said some residents of her ward have complained ambulance fees are still too expensive and she fears some may refrain from calling for an emergency transport when they should.

The councillor said she sees a clear need for the province to help support ambulance users who rely on fixed incomes or employment assistance and do more to warn patients about the fees in advance.

“That (bill) does take people as a surprise,” she said.

In a written statement, a Shared Health spokesperson said its existing funding to WFPS supports communication about the fees and noted the province recently reduced the price for all patients.

“Efforts have been made in recent years to make ambulance services more affordable, with the fee for service reduced by 50 per cent from seven years ago… We encourage all Winnipeggers — and all Manitobans — to continue to call 911 if they or someone they know is experiencing a medical emergency. Service will be provided in all circumstances and is not affected by the ability to pay,” the spokesperson said.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga