Ambulance Cost in Houston, TX

Primary 911 transport provider: HoustonCMS locality: urban

Treatment Without Transport Fees

$175Reported TNT Fee

Houston Fire Dept rates.

Official rate reported for this locality.Houston Fire Department EMS
Resource last updated on 2026-04-17

Reported Transport Fees

$1,105—$1,105

Estimated Price Range (BLS - ALS)

This rate reflects the official municipal billing schedule reported for Houston on 2026-04-17.

+ Per Mile Transported

Additional loaded mile rate

$14
Official rate reported for this locality.Houston Fire Department EMS
Last updated: 2026-04-17

Medicare Benchmark Rates

$462—$548

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! TX 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 Houston

How much does an ambulance cost in Houston, TX?

In Houston, a ground ambulance transport typically costs $1,105 plus about $14 per loaded mile, based on the published rate schedule for Houston. The 2026 Medicare benchmark for the same service is $462 – $548.

Does insurance cover ambulance rides in Texas?

Texas 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 treatment-no-transport (TNT) fee in Houston?

Houston has a treatment-without-transport fee of $175 — charged when paramedics assess or treat you but you are not taken to a hospital.

What is the Medicare ambulance rate in Houston?

The 2026 Medicare ground-ambulance base rate for Houston is $462 – $548 (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.