Fees at a glance
With MSP, a 911 ambulance ride to hospital costs $80 per trip, whether by ground or air. Without MSP, a ground ambulance is $848 per trip and a helicopter is $4,394 per hour.[1] These are the fees published by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS); check the BCEHS website for the current amounts.
| Situation | With MSP | Without MSP |
|---|---|---|
| 911 transport to hospital (ground or air) | $80 | Ground $848; helicopter $4,394 per hour |
| Transport from a care home or similar facility to hospital | $80 | See BCEHS |
| Transfer between hospitals | Free | See BCEHS |
| Ambulance attends, treats on scene, no transport | $50 | See BCEHS |
People without MSP are mostly visitors and new immigrants still in the MSP wait period.
Who covers the $80
MSP does not reimburse this fee. Many employer plans do, so you can pay the bill first and claim it back. For a car accident, ICBC reimburses once it approves the claim; for a work injury, the employer pays the first trip and WorkSafeBC pays after that. Confirm the conditions with the insurer or agency.[1]
Who is exempt
People receiving social assistance or supplementary benefits, and Veterans Affairs Canada clients, are not charged. Call BCEHS and give your client number.[2]
Billing and the bitcoin scam
Ambulance bills are sent by BCEHS, and collection is handled by Revenue Services of BC. In July 2025 some people received calls demanding bitcoin payment for ambulance fees; the BC government said these were not from it and were a scam.[3] If you get a suspicious call, do not pay on the spot. Verify through the official contacts on your bill.
If your family has no MSP yet
Family members who have just arrived and whose MSP has not started pay all medical costs themselves, ambulance included. Private medical insurance is therefore usually needed until MSP begins. The wait period is explained on the BC MSP website.