At Johns Ambulance service in New Zealand has had to write off $2.9 million in bad debts from a quarter of people invoiced for ambulance treatment that aren't paying.
St John treats 400,000 patients each year and about 185,000 callouts result in an invoice for a part charge. New Zealanders are charged $75 or $84 depending on the region. Non-eligible visitors to the country are invoiced for $769.
St Johns Ambulance receives 80% of its funding from the NZ Government. The balance is made up from donations and part payments.
Personally at Supercare4u.com I believe they are an expensive option for Non Emergency Medical Transfers.
We find that our pricing format allows greater flexibility for hospital discharge patients and less cost to them.
Front line Ambulance should be used for emergency only.
Brooke says the part charges are a necessary and important contribution to St John, a charity that is not fully government funded.
