Making the decision to call an ambulance can be fraught and confusing, especially in a time of crisis. The arrival of an ambulance could be the difference between life and death for yourself or a loved one. This situation can be even more difficult and frustrating when you think about the cost of an ambulance and whether the cost will be covered by your personal health insurance. You may even be eligible for free ambulance care depending on which state you live in. Arm yourself with information, so you’re prepared if an emergency arises. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few things to think about when you consider calling an ambulance.
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The Money Question
When the average cost of emergency transportation is more than $1000 in Victoria, you will want to choose whether or not your situation truly requires an emergency vehicle. By knowing if your personal healthcare or state provides coverage will be pivotal to your decision. Take the time now to compare Ambulance cover with iSelect.
The consultants at iSelect will be able to help you find a provider and plan that is personalized to your needs and family. If you’re thinking about switching plans, they’ll be honest about whether that will be a financially beneficial decision. Their website also offers useful information about the average cost of cover in different states, and which states provide it for free.
It’s important to note that Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of emergency transportation and your state coverage might not cover you outside of that state. That means if you’re traveling and require an ambulance, you might not be covered. The only consistent was to get free coverage across Australia is to be a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Cardholder. Check our your specific state for more information. Prepare now and save yourself in the future.
Symptoms and Severity
Even if you’re not sure where you stand financially, there are some situations where you automatically need to call 000 for immediate emergency attention and transportation. According to healthdirect, if you or a family member experiences chest pain or tightening, this could be a precursor to a heart attack. Please don’t try to drive yourself to the hospital in this situation. If you lose consciousness this could endanger everyone on the road.
Weakness that seems to come from nowhere and/or numbness or paralysis in your extremities could signal a stroke. You will definitely want to get to the emergency room as soon as possible in this scenario. If you’re having difficulty breathing, have an unexplained fall, or can’t stop bleeding you should also get emergency medical attention. Some more obvious situations are severe burns, wounds from a stabbing or shooting, experiencing great physical impact through a car crash or fall, abnormal fitting in either adults or children and irreversible fevers in infants. Use your best judgment. It’s probably better safe than sorry.
Prepare for the Call
Calling in an emergency situation can feel overwhelming. Thinking through the process now will make you calmer in the face of a crisis. Call for help if you’re treating the injured person or if you are the injured person. If someone comes, have him or her call 000, if not call yourself. You will be asked if you need a fire rescue team, the police, or an ambulance. Give the call-taker your phone number, address, and tell them specifically where the person requiring assistance is located on the property. Describe as concisely and specifically what happened, who was involved, and the injured person’s age and gender.
The call-taker will also want to know if the person is conscious or breathing. Stay on the line. They might have more questions or instructions. Prepare for when the ambulance arrives by unlocking the door and if your location is difficult to find, send someone else to help the rescue team figure out where to go. Try to stay level headed and just do the best you can.
Now that you’ve learned about all aspects of calling an ambulance you’ll be prepared if the time comes to make that call. Stay calm and make the best decision for the given situation. It’s important to plan ahead for crisis circumstances, so do your due diligence and know what your health insurance or state covers, recognize the telltale signs of needing an ambulance, and stay focused and on-topic when talking to the call-takers so that they can best inform the dispatchers of your needs. Take a deep breath, and you’ll get through just fine.
