Service Fees
The cost of ambulance services is not and has never been an insured service. Each province determines the amount and the circumstances under which it will subsidize its services.
For Nova Scotia residents, that is, individuals with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card, the government covers all costs associated with the care given by paramedics during an ambulance transport between approved facilities, i.e., between hospitals.
For medically essential transports, with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card, from place of residence to an approved health facility or scene to an approved health facility, a service fee of $134.52 is charged.
In those instances where an individual does not have a valid Nova Scotia Health Card; is eligible for third-party payment (insurance); or the ambulance trip is not medically essential, an unsubsidized rate is charged. The following fee schedule outlines the service categories and corresponding fees.
| Medically Essential Transportation | Inter-facility Transportation | |
|---|---|---|
| Most Nova Scotians with a valid health card | $134.52 | $0.00 |
| Non-Nova Scotians | $672.57 | $0.00 |
| Non-Canadians & New Canadians | $1,008.84 | $1,008.84 |
| People who are third party insured (This includes people covered by motor vehicle insurance, Worker’s Compensation, or the federal government.) |
$672.57 | $672.57 |
| Nova Scotians who are mobility challenged | $168.14 | N/A | For additional information regarding Ground Ambulance Service Fees please consult the Ambulance Fee Regulations |
Service Fee Appeal Board:
A Service Fee Appeal Board meets quarterly to review individual invoices using the Ambulance Fee Regulations. Persons wishing to appeal an invoice are asked to submit an appeal in writing to the board. The board reviews the appeal letter, the invoice and if necessary, the patient care report to assess whether or not the service fee was appropriate. For more information regarding this process please contact EHS.