Ambulance Cost in San Jose, CA

Primary 911 transport provider: Rural-Metro Of California IncCMS locality: urban

Treatment Without Transport Fees

Data Unavailable for San Jose
Rate Information Unavailable

Commonly referred to as "Treatment No Transport" (TNT) fees, these occur when paramedics provide medical care but do not transport you. Most municipalities charge between $150–$600.

We are crowd-sourcing a national database to fill gaps in federal records. If you know the local policy or have recently been billed, please support this effort by submitting your rate.

Reported Transport Fees

$2,635—$3,623

Estimated Price Range (BLS - ALS)

This is the average amount a San Jose-area ambulance provider billed to Medicare in 2024 — the charge billed, not the Medicare-allowed amount, and not a posted municipal fee schedule. Your actual bill may vary by provider.

+ Per Mile Transported

Additional loaded mile rate

$106
Provider billed charge reported to Medicare (CY2024).CMS Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners — by Provider and Service (CY2024 PUF), provider submitted (billed) charges
Last updated: 2026-06-14Effective: 2024-01-01

Medicare Benchmark Rates

$608—$722

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 San Jose

How much does an ambulance cost in San Jose, CA?

In San Jose, a ground ambulance transport typically costs $2,635 – $3,623 plus about $106 per loaded mile, based on the published rate schedule for Rural-Metro Of California Inc. The 2026 Medicare benchmark for the same service is $608 – $722.

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 San Jose?

The 2026 Medicare ground-ambulance base rate for San Jose is $608 – $722 (BLS to ALS), plus $9 per loaded mile. Private providers commonly bill several times this benchmark.

More cities in California

All California cities

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.