Effective November 1, 2000, a new Medical Transport Support Program will reduce the portion of the cost paid by Islanders for out-of-province ground ambulance services.
Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem advised today that, in future, patients will be required to pay one standardized rate of $130 for ground ambulance services within the province and out of the province.
The new fee that will be charged to the patient is significantly lower than fees previously charged for out-of-province services, such as $550 to a Moncton hospital or $800 to a Halifax hospital.
"Islanders recognize that less frequently required medical services from our regional partner facilities will not be duplicated on P.E.I. Now the cost to access those services by ambulance will be the same as if they were to access them here," said the minister. "The new program responds to concerns expressed repeatedly by Islanders about the financial hardship often caused by the cost of this emergency medical service."
To be eligible for the universal program, patients must be residents of Prince Edward Island, and it must be determined by a physician that the patient requires ambulance transport under the care of an emergency medical technician.
The program is retroactive to April 1, 2000. Eligible residents who required out-of-province ground ambulance transport from April 1, 2000 to October 31, 2000 may apply to be reimbursed for their costs or to have outstanding ambulance bills paid by government.
Information on the program may be obtained by contacting the Emergency Medical Services Coordinator at the Department of Health and Social Services, 902 368 6717.
Government expects that the new program will require additional budget expenditures of up to $200,000 per year. Last year, Islanders required 420 ground ambulance trips to out-of-province hospitals.