Can you call an ambulance without insurance?

Emergency medical services (EMS) provide assistance to anyone who needs it, regardless of insurance status or financial situation. Alberta Health Services handles over 670,000 calls per year with 930 ambulances and 5,000 EMS workers. However, you will have to pay for the services, and the costs can be significant.

How the emergency medical services system works in Calgary

911 service — available to everyone

  • Operates 24/7 for residents and visitors
  • Calling 911 automatically dispatches an ambulance, without checking insurance

Language support

  • Interpreters for over 300 languages
  • Tell the operator the name of your language in English, and they will quickly connect you to an interpreter

When to call 911

  1. Life-threatening medical situations (chest pain, heavy bleeding, breathing problems)
  2. Fire or smell of smoke
  3. Traffic accident with injuries
  4. Active crime or threat to life
  5. Broken power lines, hazardous substance spill

Ambulance rates in Alberta (as of 2025)

Standard rates

Type of service Cost
Transportation to the hospital $385
Examination without transportation $250
Additional fee for non-residents of Alberta +$200

Fixed since January 1, 2015, unchanged for over ten years.

Air ambulance

  • Helicopter: $4,394 per hour
  • Airplane: $11 per statute mile ($6.94/km)

Who is exempt from payment

Seniors (65+)

  • The Coverage for Seniors (AHCIP) program covers 100% of the cost

First Nations

  • Services are free through the Health Canada program

Low-income individuals

  • Recipients of Income Support
  • Participants in AISH
  • Alberta Child Health Benefits recipients
  • Alberta Adult Health Benefits participants

Individuals without a permanent address

  • AHS will write off the debt if collection is not possible

Payment and support for financial hardship

Billing

  • Bills are sent out every few weeks
  • Payment: cash, check, card, e-transfer, online, mail

Financial Hardship Fee Waiver

Conditions for exemption:

  1. Canadian resident
  2. Unable to cover basic expenses
  3. Other sources of funding exhausted
  4. Not eligible for other programs

Humanitarian grounds

  • Refugees, asylum seekers, victims of human trafficking

Payment plans

  • Flexible payment schedules through EMS providers

Private insurance

Alberta Blue Cross

  • Covers $385 for transportation or $250 without transportation
  • Allows direct billing to providers

Other insurance companies

  • Patient pays first, then submits for reimbursement

Alternatives to emergency services for non-emergencies

  • Health Link 811 — 24/7 medical advice from nurses
  • Walk-in clinics (Sheldon M. Chumir, South Calgary Health Centre, Medicentres)
  • Urgent Care centers
  • Taxi or public transportation as a cheaper alternative

Patient rights and protection against discrimination

  • Right to emergency care regardless of financial status
  • Prohibition of refusal based on ability to pay, ethnic origin, or immigration status

Practical recommendations

In an emergency

  1. Call 911 immediately
  2. Provide the exact address and description
  3. Follow the operator's instructions
  4. Have your documents with you, if possible

How to reduce costs

  • Regular medical checkups and preventive care
  • Private or travel insurance

After receiving the bill

  1. Don't ignore the bill
  2. Contact AHS for an explanation
  3. Arrange a payment plan or waiver
  4. Keep documentation for insurance

Conclusion

Calling an ambulance in Calgary without insurance is a legal right for everyone. Despite the costs ($250–$385 plus $200 for non-residents), there is a wide network of support: benefits for vulnerable groups, waivers, payment plans, private insurance. In a critical situation, do not hesitate to dial 911 — life and health always come first.