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If you don't get bogged down in details of the service, I see this as generally net good. For many, ambulance rides are prohibitively expensive, and while I ce

If you don't get bogged down in details of the service, I see this as generally net good. For many, ambulance rides are prohibitively expensive, and while I certainly wouldn't be cost-conscious taking an ambulance in the event of a seizure or heart attack, for something like a broken arm, or non-life-threatening ailment, an Uber/Lyft/Cab is a good alternative to trying to drive myself. Beyond that, I'd like to see statistics on whether people ride-sharing to emergency rooms / urgent care facilities was freeing up ambulances or causing them to sit idle. I suspect it's the former, which would mean ambulances could be more available for more people with more serious conditions, but I could be wrong.

Spooky23 9y ago
NYFD has about 220 ALS units (advanced / requiring a paramedic) and 550 BLS (basic transport, no drugs, etc) units per day. Reducing BLS calls via uber wouldn’t affect availability of ALS units for serious things, but would probably save money.
- brokensegue 9y ago
  well people deciding between an ambulance or an uber aren't really qualified to make that decision so it wouldn't surprise me if a bunch of people who needs an ALS unit decide to take an uber.
jessriedel 9y ago
The number of ambulances will adjust to the demand.
- matthew349hall 9y ago
  Not really. This works in private markets but in part-government systems such as ambulances there's a few more influences on supply.
donatj 9y ago
Six years ago I had something similar to a stoke. I had a relative drive me from work to the ER in outer suburbs because: a) I would literally rather die than pay for an ambulance. I put my money where my mouth was on that. b) I knew from previous experience their ER was far cheaper, cleaner and quicker than the one in the cities. Maybe I am just particularly frugal but I had the presence of mind to consider costs while I could not feel one side of my face. Another time, I needed surgery and called around to get quotes. The place I ended up was something like a quarter the place my doctor wanted to send me.
- yeukhon 9y ago
  I am glad you are safe. I obviously have no clue into your actual diagnosis, but just some thoughts. This works if and only if you are in control of the situation. That being said, have you considered if when the worst case happened to you, the kind of stress your relative could experience afterward? Perhaps guilts? What about if you are permanently disabled? You probably won’t be able to keep your current job, and then have to re-adjust to a different life style and re-learning whatever physical skills you have lost. Meanwhile, others would have to take up responsibilities for you, and more money draining down the road. Next thing you know, you regret your decision. I do share you views in general - I would prefer going to a hospital I know that can provide better service per dollar value, but when it is life threatening situation, I won’t choose money over my life. If it was a minor stroke that probably okay, but still, so much uncertainty. Yes, if ambulance is late, you probably should consider going there on your own (keep 911 operator on the phone - never hang up until an officer has arrived). I am too really frustrated with my ambulance bill, and I wish someone can help me understand why the heck an aumblance can cost $1000. I am sure you know the risks, but I do want to give my two cents.
- thaumasiotes 9y ago
  > I would literally rather die than pay for an ambulance. I wish more people realized this was an option. You can't even imagine how common it is to see the claim "medical care is a special market, because if someone is dying, they will pay ANY AMOUNT for care no matter how high". Sure, if that person is dying and rates their own health infinitely higher than the welfare of their family, maybe. That's not many people. Incidentally, the same stupid argument also proves that scamming a life insurance policy by committing suicide is impossible. Life insurance companies, in general, do not agree.
collyw 9y ago
"For many, ambulance rides are prohibitively expensive" Third world health care.
DanBC 9y ago
> Beyond that, I'd like to see statistics on whether people ride-sharing to emergency rooms / urgent care facilities was freeing up ambulances or causing them to sit idle. I suspect it's the former, which would mean ambulances could be more available for more people with more serious conditions, but I could be wrong. I'd also like to see whether ride-sharing increases the number of people who attend ED. "I can't justify getting an ambo, so I won't attend" vs "I'm not wasting an ambo, so it's okay if I attend".

Spooky23 9y ago

NYFD has about 220 ALS units (advanced / requiring a paramedic) and 550 BLS (basic transport, no drugs, etc) units per day. Reducing BLS calls via uber wouldn’t affect availability of ALS units for serious things, but would probably save money.

brokensegue 9y ago
well people deciding between an ambulance or an uber aren't really qualified to make that decision so it wouldn't surprise me if a bunch of people who needs an ALS unit decide to take an uber.

jessriedel 9y ago

The number of ambulances will adjust to the demand.

matthew349hall 9y ago
Not really. This works in private markets but in part-government systems such as ambulances there's a few more influences on supply.

donatj 9y ago

Six years ago I had something similar to a stoke. I had a relative drive me from work to the ER in outer suburbs because: a) I would literally rather die than pay for an ambulance. I put my money where my mouth was on that. b) I knew from previous experience their ER was far cheaper, cleaner and quicker than the one in the cities. Maybe I am just particularly frugal but I had the presence of mind to consider costs while I could not feel one side of my face. Another time, I needed surgery and called around to get quotes. The place I ended up was something like a quarter the place my doctor wanted to send me.

yeukhon 9y ago
I am glad you are safe. I obviously have no clue into your actual diagnosis, but just some thoughts. This works if and only if you are in control of the situation. That being said, have you considered if when the worst case happened to you, the kind of stress your relative could experience afterward? Perhaps guilts? What about if you are permanently disabled? You probably won’t be able to keep your current job, and then have to re-adjust to a different life style and re-learning whatever physical skills you have lost. Meanwhile, others would have to take up responsibilities for you, and more money draining down the road. Next thing you know, you regret your decision. I do share you views in general - I would prefer going to a hospital I know that can provide better service per dollar value, but when it is life threatening situation, I won’t choose money over my life. If it was a minor stroke that probably okay, but still, so much uncertainty. Yes, if ambulance is late, you probably should consider going there on your own (keep 911 operator on the phone - never hang up until an officer has arrived). I am too really frustrated with my ambulance bill, and I wish someone can help me understand why the heck an aumblance can cost $1000. I am sure you know the risks, but I do want to give my two cents.
thaumasiotes 9y ago
> I would literally rather die than pay for an ambulance. I wish more people realized this was an option. You can't even imagine how common it is to see the claim "medical care is a special market, because if someone is dying, they will pay ANY AMOUNT for care no matter how high". Sure, if that person is dying and rates their own health infinitely higher than the welfare of their family, maybe. That's not many people. Incidentally, the same stupid argument also proves that scamming a life insurance policy by committing suicide is impossible. Life insurance companies, in general, do not agree.

collyw 9y ago

"For many, ambulance rides are prohibitively expensive" Third world health care.

DanBC 9y ago

> Beyond that, I'd like to see statistics on whether people ride-sharing to emergency rooms / urgent care facilities was freeing up ambulances or causing them to sit idle. I suspect it's the former, which would mean ambulances could be more available for more people with more serious conditions, but I could be wrong. I'd also like to see whether ride-sharing increases the number of people who attend ED. "I can't justify getting an ambo, so I won't attend" vs "I'm not wasting an ambo, so it's okay if I attend".