St John Ambulance part charges?

[swbarnett]

Can anyone tell me if the St. John Ambulkance part charges are legally enforceable?

We've just received a bill from them that was a total surprise. Don't get me wrong, I'd be only too happy to give St. john some money if the letter had been a plea for help but a bill after an emergency call out is just plain extortion.

[ducatilover]

No idea but I have been billed for rides in ambulances by them

[5150]

Yes, I have been billed in the past for emergency callouts. If you think you might be using their services more often you can become a St. J member and pay a yearly membership fee and your callouts are free.

[cynna]

Can anyone tell me if the St. John Ambulkance part charges are legally enforceable?

We've just received a bill from them that was a total surprise. Don't get me wrong, I'd be only too happy to give St. john some money if the letter had been a plea for help but a bill after an emergency call out is just plain extortion.

user pays - why should we pay for you?

[Akzle]

just as a matter of interest, what would you pay not to die? and/or, did you not realise it's a user pays service, and/or, if you did know that, would you have declined the service?

[mashman]

Ahhhh the charitable industrial complex at work. Good luck.

[Drew]

If ACC aren't picking up the bill for the treatment, you're liable for the service personally.

It's only about $50 though isn't it? Mind, was a fucken long time ago I had experience with this situation.

[R650R]

What planet did you just arrive from, you say this like its news...

Funeral costs, now THATS extortion, an ambulance fee isn't even a deposit in comparison. Staying alive is very cheap, dying is where it gets expensive.
And after a funeral just wait for the vulture fees lawyers charge to discharge various bank contracts even when all the shit is freehold, you might need another ambulance the day you see those fees on top of the stress of losing someone.
Ambo fee still less than a tank of gas for average sportsbike followed by a beer and gourmet burger...

[Virago]

An ambulance service is not a tax-payer funded public health service. St John relies on donations, subscriptions, and part-charges to keep operating.

To keep their costs down a large proportion of their operational staff are unpaid volunteers. Count yourself lucky.

Put aside your erroneous sense of entitlement and pay the fucking thing.

As mentioned, subscription is good value, around $60 a year for a household (from memory).

[Tazz]

Almost $500 to attend and over $1000 if you hitch a ride in an ambo in Victoria, and that is just 'metro' areas. 99% sure it's less than that over here, unless it had rotors instead of wheels then I've heard murmurs of up to 7k?

Join up after you've 'coughed' up

Friend was in a car crash in Melb and just got a lift with a mate because she didn't have ambo insurance and wouldn't have enough money for both that and the medical bills (she was considered a foreigner which meant a 2k bill. I see it is $800 for foreigners here).

[Grumph]

Yes, I have been billed in the past for emergency callouts. If you think you might be using their services more often you can become a St. J member and pay a yearly membership fee and your callouts are free.

Free in some areas, yes. I really must join up out here. In hospital 3 times so far this year. 1st time from GP surgery to A&E, $50 thank you, sir...for a ride of about 5km. Next 2 times,from home to town by car. Priced it with StJohn later - $350 per trip for non member, I think it's about $70 for a member - that's about a $ per Km. I confidently expect to die driving myself to town (slowly) after a heart attack.

[Tazz]

I confidently expect to die driving myself to town (slowly) after a heart attack.

Jesus? Really? In the states and the like you'd probably have a min charge of $500 for your $50 trip.

Do you also realize how much those ambos cost, nevermind the training of the crew? How much do you think they're paying in insurance alone for your ride? Nevermind their time (which seems to be of no value to you) and wear on equipment. And then there are the consumables they stock it with, they have expiry dates or are used on our sorry asses.

Would you rather some knuckle dragger came and tossed you in the boot of their car for the ride to the hospo?
Or how about putting the cost of running services like this in your rates so they, and rents, can go up?

[Robbo]

Join up and become a member. St Johns do an amazing and often unrewarding job. As a motorcyclist you have a high chance of needing their services one day. If not then you have made a very worthy donation to a great and necessary organisation.

[Woodman]

Its only money, but if you do really feel aggrieved then take them to the small claims court.

[trapster66]

As St John is publicly funded, meaning they get absolutely nothing from the government, and relies solely on donations from the public it serves, they charge a set rate for medical emergencies (varies between regions) $80-$100 is the norm regardless of how far you live from hospital or treatments provided enroute, if its an accident ACC picks up all charges, if you want a ride(non emergency) to hospital for an appointment(private hire) then you will get charged accordingly,
If you think the family may utilize services regularly for medical conditions then the membership is the way to go, $58/ year or thereabouts, unlimited emergency calls( this fee doesn't cover private hire)

Hope this helps...