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How Much Does Medical Transport Cost?

Estimated price ranges by service level, with example trips, for Los Angeles and Orange Counties — with wheelchair and stretcher NEMT also available in Kern County. These are estimates, not quotes — costs vary by distance and insurance, and we verify your benefits free before you book.

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Pricing Information

How Much Is an Ambulance Ride in California?

In California, what you pay depends far more on the level of service than on the word "ambulance." At West Coast Ambulance, estimated private-pay pricing starts around $70 for wheelchair van transport, $170 for stretcher van transport, and $350 for a BLS ambulance — each with a base rate plus a per-mile charge.

Specialty care transport (SCT) is for passengers who are ventilator-dependent or need deep suctioning or airway monitoring by a respiratory therapist, or who need an IV or cardiac monitoring by a registered nurse. Call dispatch at 800-880-0556 for a quote. SCT can’t be booked online.

Those figures are estimates for private-pay trips, not quotes. What you actually owe with Medi-Cal, Medicare, or a commercial plan depends entirely on your plan: coverage requires the transport to be medically necessary and authorized, cost-sharing such as deductibles and coinsurance may still apply, and some service levels — wheelchair and stretcher van, for example — are generally not covered by Original Medicare. We verify your benefits at no charge before the trip so you get a number based on your actual coverage.

Request a free quote for your trip → or call 800-880-0556.

West Coast Ambulance estimated rate ranges by service level for Los Angeles and Orange Counties; wheelchair and stretcher NEMT also serve Kern County. Estimates only — final price depends on distance, wait time, and insurance.
Service Level Typical Range Example Trip
Wheelchair Transport $70 – $200+ One-way SNF to dialysis center, 10 miles — typically $110–$130
Stretcher Transport $170 – $400+ SNF to imaging center, 10 miles, non-ambulatory — typically $210–$260
BLS Ambulance $350 – $800+ Hospital discharge to SNF, 8 miles, with oxygen — typically $420–$520
Specialty Care Transport (SCT) Call for a quote Call dispatch at 800-880-0556. SCT can’t be booked online.
Long-Distance Transport $1,300 – $10,000+ BLS transfer from LA to San Diego, ~120 miles — typically $1,370–$1,800

Wheelchair Transport

$70 – $200+
Typical Use
Doctor appointments, dialysis, discharges
What's Included
  • ADA-compliant van
  • Door-through-door assistance
  • Certified driver
Pricing varies by distance and requirements. Medi-Cal and most insurance accepted.
Example: Scheduled one-way from SNF to dialysis center, 10 miles — typically $110–$130
Get a Quote →

Stretcher Transport

$170 – $400+
Typical Use
SNF transfers, passengers who need to lie down
What's Included
  • Stryker power cot
  • Two-person crew
  • Climate-controlled van
Pricing varies by distance and wait time.
Example: SNF to imaging center, 10 miles, non-ambulatory passenger — typically $210–$260
Get a Quote →

BLS Ambulance

$350 – $800+
Typical Use
Hospital discharges requiring monitoring, ER intake
What's Included
  • Two-EMT crew
  • AED-equipped units
  • Vital sign monitoring
  • Oxygen administration
Medicare and Medi-Cal may cover BLS ambulance when it is medically necessary and authorized. Deductibles and coinsurance may still apply — we verify your benefits free.
Example: Hospital discharge to SNF, 8 miles, with oxygen — typically $420–$520
Get a Quote →

Specialty Care Transport (SCT)

Call for a quote
Typical Use
ICU-to-ICU transfers, ventilator-dependent passengers, post-surgical transfers, step-down transfers
What's Included
  • RN/RT crew
  • IV therapy & drug administration
  • Ventilator management
  • Advanced monitoring
Prior authorization typically required. Custom pricing for long-distance CCT.
Specialty care transport (SCT) is for passengers who are ventilator-dependent or need deep suctioning or airway monitoring by a respiratory therapist, or who need an IV or cardiac monitoring by a registered nurse. Call dispatch at 800-880-0556 for a quote. SCT can’t be booked online.
Get a Quote →

Long-Distance Transport

$1,300 – $10,000+
Typical Use
Cross-state transfers, repatriation
What's Included
  • Full clinical crew
  • Route planning
  • Overnight accommodations if needed
Priced per mile + base rate. Call for a custom quote.
Example: BLS transfer from LA to San Diego, ~120 miles — typically $1,370–$1,800
Get a Quote →
Every quote includes a clear breakdown — transparent pricing with every charge itemized. Free insurance verification included.

Online Booking

Prices and Fees for Rides Booked Online

Ambulance rides are priced at Medicare rates for your area, the maximum California law (Health and Safety Code 1797.233) allows for self-pay passengers. Van rides starting in the City of Los Angeles are priced at the rates set by City ordinance.

The final price can be higher than the estimate for waiting, extra miles or changes you ask for. It is charged automatically after the ride, with an itemized receipt. For a round trip, both rides are charged together after the ride home.

Terms and cancellation policy

Fees by ride type for rides booked online. Percentages are of the base rate for that ride.
Ride type Late-cancellation fee Dry-run fee Waiting rate
Car50% of the base rate100% of the base rateFirst 15 minutes free
Wheelchair van50% of the base rate100% of the base rateFirst 15 minutes free
Stretcher van50% of the base rate100% of the base rateFirst 15 minutes free
Ambulance (BLS)50% of the base rate100% of the base rateFirst 15 minutes free

Which ride type you need

  • If we provide oxygen, the ride is at least a stretcher van. Above 3 liters per minute, it must be an ambulance.
  • Passengers who bring and regulate their own oxygen can ride in any vehicle.
  • 3 or more steps at pickup or drop-off need a stair chair and a two-person crew, so the ride is at least a stretcher van.
  • Passengers who need restraints or are on a psychiatric hold ride by BLS ambulance. Please call dispatch to arrange these rides; they can’t be booked online.

Specialty care transport (SCT) is for passengers who are ventilator-dependent or need deep suctioning or airway monitoring by a respiratory therapist, or who need an IV or cardiac monitoring by a registered nurse. Call dispatch at 800-880-0556 for a quote. SCT can’t be booked online.

Key Variables

What Affects Your Cost

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Distance

All transports include a base rate plus a per-mile charge. Longer trips increase the total cost proportionally.

Service Level

Wheelchair transport costs less than a fully staffed CCT ambulance. The clinical resources required drive the price.

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Insurance Coverage

Medi-Cal, Medicare, and commercial plans cover varying percentages. We verify benefits before transport so you know your expected out-of-pocket cost upfront.

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Wait Time

If our crew waits at a facility for an extended period (e.g., delayed discharge), additional wait-time charges may apply.

Time of Day

Standard business-hour transports are typically less expensive. After-hours or holiday service may carry surcharges for some service levels.

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Special Equipment

Bariatric transport, isolation-capable vehicles, and additional monitoring equipment may increase costs based on specific passenger needs.

Billing & Coverage

Insurance & Payment

Insurance We Accept

  • ✓ Medi-Cal
  • ✓ Medicare
  • ✓ Commercial / Private Insurance
  • ✓ Workers' Compensation
  • ✓ Private Pay

How Billing Works

  • We verify your insurance before transport so you know your expected out-of-pocket cost upfront.
  • If covered, we bill your insurance directly on your behalf.
  • For private pay, we provide upfront pricing before the transport begins.
  • Facilities receive net-30 invoicing with complete trip documentation.
Questions about coverage? Call us at 800-880-0556 — our billing team will verify your benefits at no cost.

Important Disclaimers

  • All prices shown are estimates and may vary based on specific circumstances.
  • Insurance coverage and copays vary by plan — we verify before transport.
  • Facility contract rates may differ from listed ranges.
  • For an exact quote, call 800-880-0556 or submit a request online.

Common Questions

Pricing & Insurance FAQ

It depends on the level of care. At West Coast Ambulance, estimated private-pay pricing for a BLS ambulance runs $350–$800+. Specialty care transport (SCT) is quoted by dispatch and can’t be booked online. Many trips do not require an ambulance at all — a wheelchair van starts around $70 and a stretcher van around $170. These are estimates, not quotes; every transport is a base rate plus a per-mile charge. Medi-Cal, Medicare, and commercial plans may cover medically necessary ambulance transport, but what you owe depends on your plan — deductibles and coinsurance can still apply, and wheelchair and stretcher van transport are generally not covered by Original Medicare. We verify your benefits free before the trip.
Wheelchair van transport typically runs $70–$200+ per trip. As a worked example, a scheduled one-way trip from a skilled nursing facility to a dialysis center about 10 miles away is typically $110–$130. That includes an ADA-compliant van, a certified driver, and door-through-door assistance. Medi-Cal and most insurance plans are accepted for medically necessary NEMT.
Stretcher van transport typically runs $170–$400+ per trip. As a worked example, a non-ambulatory passenger traveling from a skilled nursing facility to an imaging center about 10 miles away is typically $210–$260. That includes a power cot, a two-person crew, and a climate-controlled van. Distance and wait time are the two variables that move the price most.
In most cases, yes. Medi-Cal covers medically necessary NEMT (wheelchair and stretcher van) as well as BLS and SCT/CCT ambulance transport when authorized. Coverage depends on your specific Medi-Cal plan and whether transportation is deemed medically necessary. We verify your benefits before transport so you know exactly what's covered.
It depends on the service level and insurance. Medi-Cal managed care plans typically require a Transportation Authorization Request (TAR) for ambulance services. Medicare requires a Physician Certification Statement (PCS). For NEMT services, authorization requirements vary by plan. Our billing team handles the authorization process for you in most cases.
If a transport takes longer due to traffic, facility delays, or medical needs, the final cost may increase slightly based on additional mileage or wait time. We always communicate any potential overages before they occur. For insurance-covered transports, the insurer pays for the actual service provided.
For insurance-covered transports, there is generally no additional charge for after-hours or weekend service. For private-pay transports, some service levels may carry a modest after-hours surcharge. We disclose all costs upfront when you book, so you'll know the exact price before the transport begins.
We understand plans change. Cancellations made at least 2 hours before the scheduled pickup time are not charged. Private-pay rides booked online may be charged a late-cancellation fee or a dry-run fee; see Terms and cancellation policy. Insurance-covered transports that are cancelled are simply not billed. Call 800-880-0556 to cancel or reschedule.
Absolutely. Call 800-880-0556 or submit a request through our online form. We'll provide a cost estimate based on your service level, distance, and insurance coverage — all at no cost and no obligation. For facilities, we also offer custom contract pricing based on volume.

Keep Reading

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How Medi-Cal covers NEMT and ambulance transport in California, what authorization is required, and how to arrange a covered trip.
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How Much Does an Ambulance Cost in California?

A deeper look at what drives ambulance pricing in California and how insurance changes what you actually pay.

Get a Personalized Quote

Every transport is different. Tell us what you need and we'll provide an accurate, itemized price upfront — no obligation.

Request Transport → Call 800-880-0556