Ambulance Cost in Los Angeles, CA

Primary 911 transport provider: Los Angeles Fire Department (City of Los Angeles)CMS locality: urban

Treatment Without Transport Fees

Reported Local Rate: Los Angeles
$50TNT Fee

Commonly referred to as "Treatment No Transport" (TNT) fees, these occur when paramedics provide medical care but do not take you to a hospital.

LA County maximum allowable rate for 'Response and treatment, no transport'.Source
Resource last updated on March 12, 2026

Reported Transport Fees

$1,862—$2,915

Estimated Price Range (BLS - ALS)

This rate reflects the official municipal billing schedule reported for Los Angeles on 2026-06-10.

+ Per Mile Transported

Additional loaded mile rate

$29
Official rate reported for this locality.City of Los Angeles Ordinance No. 188894 (LAAC 22.210.2(b) Schedule of Charges)
Last updated: 2026-06-10Effective: 2026-04-30

Medicare Benchmark Rates

$523—$622

Official Schedule Range (BLS - ALS)

This is the "official" rate established by the federal government for your specific zip code in 2026. Medicare uses this baseline to reimburse providers for medically necessary transport. While private companies often charge more, this figure serves as the industry standard for what the service is actually valued at by federal auditors.

+ Per Mile Transported

Additional loaded mile rate

$9.33

Surprise Billing Protection

SURPRISE BILLING PROTECTED

Good news! CA has active ground ambulance surprise billing protections. In most cases, your cost-sharing is limited to in-network services.

Disclaimer:Estimated ambulance costs are based on publicly available fee schedules and regional averages. Actual charges may vary depending on the ambulance provider, service level, mileage, medical treatment provided, and insurance coverage. Providers in the same area may charge different rates for similar services. For details about coverage and out-of-pocket costs, contact your insurance provider.

Ambulance cost questions for Los Angeles

How much does an ambulance cost in Los Angeles, CA?

In Los Angeles, a ground ambulance transport typically costs $1,862 – $2,915 plus about $29 per loaded mile, based on the published rate schedule for Los Angeles Fire Department (City of Los Angeles). The 2026 Medicare benchmark for the same service is $523 – $622.

Does insurance cover ambulance rides in California?

California has ground-ambulance surprise-billing protections, so for covered emergencies your cost-sharing is generally limited to in-network amounts. Coverage still depends on "medical necessity" — confirm details with your insurer.

What is the Medicare ambulance rate in Los Angeles?

The 2026 Medicare ground-ambulance base rate for Los Angeles is $523 – $622 (BLS to ALS), plus $9 per loaded mile. Private providers commonly bill several times this benchmark.

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Understand your bill

End Surprise Ambulance Bills.

Federal reform is slow. State-level mandates are the fastest path to protection. Demand that your state representatives close the "billing gap" and treat ambulances like essential emergency care.

GAPThe Billing Loophole

Most insurance only covers ambulance costs if you are transported. If an EMT treats you on-scene but you aren't taken to a hospital (TNT), you often face a $500+ "dry run" bill that insurance refuses to pay.

GOALOur Policy Goal

Mandate that all ambulance services—transport or treatment-only—are covered under emergency care frameworks with predictable copays.