Charged for emergency ambulance!?!?

I can't believe this - I'm SOOOOO angry!
I thought everything for under 5's was free in NZ? Apparently not! In the UK you are only charged if it is not classed as an emergency! (I totally agree with that).

When Caitlin reacted to her last lot of jabs I was told by my GP to get her to hospital immediately. There was no way I was in the right frame of mind to drive so I called 111 and they sent an ambulance.
I have just recieved a bill for $67!!!!!

When I was sick a few weeks before this all happend and ended up being sent in an ambulance from GP office to hospital, I got a bill too and paid it as I viewed it as a transfer rather than an emergency (even though my GP refused to let my Dad take me to hospital).

I can't believe I've been charged for this! I'm SO upset right now not just because we can't really afford to pay out another $67, but I can't help but think of all of the lower income people out there that might think twice about calling an ambulance for their kids because they wouldn't be able to pay the fee

Damn government!
(Btw-this is the ONLY thing I have ever complained about re. differences between NZ & UK, before I get told to go home if I don't like it here!)

**sorry but I'm SOOOOOOO p'd off right now!**

I know, when I collapsed at my work in 2003 they rang an ambulance and then I was sent a bill for $45. I so thing the rest of the country should be like Wellington and the ambulance is free.

If we call the ambulance ourselves when I go into labour, we will be charged $45. If my midwife calls the ambulance for us, it will be free. (The charge becomes part of my antenatal care so in the long run the government pays).

The stupid part is that most pregnant women in this area will be travelling to deliver so there are going to be a few call-outs!

We paid the family membership to St Johns and are therefore not charged for any ambulance rides. In terms of low income people, I think they can apply to Work and Income (WINZ) for an emergency medical assistance special needs grant which they don't need to pay back that will cover it. Unfortunately the stupid, uncaring, pathetic (I may be biased) government treats the ambulance service like it does the rest of healthcare and doesn't care enough to fund it. Take out your anger on your local MP with a nasty letter and email or two!

Unfortunately that is right, it is only free if it is covered by ACC, so broken arm or leg is free but heart attack is not.

I would write to them and voice your complaint, and to your local council as well. The other option is to sign up as a member so it is free all the time.

I think you did the right thing calling for one though, you would not have been fit to drive!

I just called St Johns and the smarmey *inserts HEAPS of swear words* woman said that I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN it wasn't a free service at the time I called, therefore I had made a commitment to pay for the ambulance!

Perhaps I was more concerned about my baby's welfare!!!!!


I'm even more upset now and will definitely be writing to my local MP
I've never needed to write a complaint letter in my life!


Maree - I see on the letter it does say that you can pay an annual subscription of $40 then everyone in the house is free. This is a great idea in hindsight but I've only ever needed an ambulance twice in my whole life (these 2 occassions)and didn't think for a second I would be charged for my 14 week old baby! It does say that you can either pay for the occupants of the house (when at that address) or per person, I personally think I am being penalised here for wanting to be at my Mum's house which is closer to the local hospital after Caitlin has her jabs (for just in case situations).

GRRRRRRRRR

So does mine!! mind you Zaara is not included in the insurance, because when I called them they said that since every thing for kids in NZ is free there is no use of having a policy for her yet!! I might have to phone them again!!!

but thankfully I never needed to use an ambulance...

If I were you I would have asked her how "insert few swear word" were you to know that its not a free service?? and did you ask say that I thought all kis stuff in NZ is free??

It's because they're not government funded that they have to charge something, at least in Auckland. I have heard that in most cases if you apply to them by letter and explain your circumstances they will let you off. That said we are about to take up a family / annual membership. Mind you I would also be upset if it was handled like that as well.

hmmm free ambulance Vs sunshine/heat/not getting wind burn I think I'll stay a Jaffa, thanks Jess LOL

ok - so now that I have calmed down and let off all of my steam in a letter to Peter Hogson, Health Minister *mwhahahaha*

This was the best bit of the letter:
"I have since discovered that the ambulance service is provided for free in Wellington. With the vast population base in Auckland and the continuous misappropriation of tax payer funds I find this even more distressing.

I hope you enjoy your waterfront stadium Minister! You and your government obviously view a sports event to be more in need of government funding than NZ residents/citizens."

SO THERE!

I feel much better now

sarahbeth is right on the acc thing...and i think even if you pay a sub to st johns and use it "too much" you get charged - we used to pay for grandma but still got charged after some use...she was going from resthome etc...but think too many elderly were using it like a taxi service from response we got!

We also got informed of this all at antenatal class...i ahve to say she covered the bases...

binkas mum is involved with st johns she may be able to confirm more re costs etc...