The last one I paid full price for cost $500. All the Medicare Advantage plans I shopped for topped off at $90. The ones I’ve had paid full.
Because almost everyone does. It was a fair assumption. My brother’s wife drove him to the ED.
Not so much. The apparent incident had happened a month earlier; my condition had deteriorated to the point that I coudn’t mount my bicycle and didn’t feel safe driving. The route is residential for 2 miles then across campus for the last mile. Had I passed out someone would have called an ambulance.
They were all with my parents since 2021, and all with Medicare… That also included mileage fees that are ridicules, like in the $20.00+ per mile range…
Are you sure about that assumption?
His wife lives in NYC, and approximately 63% of people aged 16 and over in New York City do not have a driver’s license, according to a 2017 report. The deceased lived just across the river from NYC, and he didn’t have a DL until about 12 years ago.
Nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately one-third of the nation’s residents don’t have driver’s licenses.
Perhaps they live in a rural area. I live in town. I’ve never seen a mileage fee.
Is that ridiculous? What’s a taxi charge? I took a first aid course from a guy who ran his own ambulance company. He had an eccentric wealthy client who rode the ambulance everywhere.
Just for the ride? I’m not talking about ED care. What did the insurer pay?
I didn’t know she lived in NYC, which is exceptional. It’s perhaps the only city in the US with good-enough public transit and density to make it sensible. I know NYers who lack licenses.
Does that include children? Otherwise it seems excessive. Even if I get rid of my pickup I’ll continue getting a DL until I can’t pass the test - which becomes annual in NM for old people.
An AMBULANCE transport ride in NH and northern MA costs about $3,000. There are other types of transport rides not using an ambulance that is cheaper. Rides for Senior citizens. But that’s NOT what you originally said. You specifically said AMBULANCE. There are trained medical personnel in an ambulance whether you need them or not. If you need a stretcher that’s going to be more than just someone who doesn’t.
Yes, and no.
When my father’s health began to fail, we had to summon an ambulance a few times each year. But, “in order to save money”, my father insisted on an “ambulette” a couple of times.
When we received the billing, it turned-out that an ambulette actually wound-up costing more because Medicare didn’t pay as much for an ambulette as they paid for an actual ambulance because, by definition, an ambulette is for “non-emergency” transport.
After that wake-up call, rather than arguing with Dad, we just told him that the ambulette service was fully-booked, and that we had to summon an ambulance
I bought it from a car rental company. Not much market over the winter for a Mini convertible. In 10 months I’ve had zero problems. It’s still under warranty too. I also closely inspected the car. I had auto shop in school. I literally crawled under the car. No damage to the suspension or underside. No bondo anywhere. The ole magnet trick I learned. They had about a dozen for sale.
I’ve had calculus. U of Chicago. I wasn’t exactly a top student but I managed. Never used it since. My brother is an engineer. BA Mechanical. MA Software. Asked him how often he uses it. Basically never he said.
I totally agree my premise doesn’t apply to Toyotas or Hondas. They don’t depreciate much in the first year so little savings on depreciation.
I’ve only had one ■■■■■ used car. Ironically my first. A Pinto Wagon. However it was very cheap and I maintained it myself and it still lasted about 6 years. Cost me $200 a year in depreciation.
I see too many people struggle with money yet they have a shiny new car. Doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve always owned fun cars reasonably well equipped (except that Pinto!). Civic SI. VW GTI. Saab Turbo. Focus ST. Etc.
I didn’t need a car. It was meant to be a fun car. Like my other cars. I don’t plan to sell it. I paid $26k for it. Cash. Probably the last car I’ll buy. Got a couple mill in investments. Note I didn’t buy a new Porsche or Merc or BMW convertible although I could “afford” it.
Edmunds estimated maint & repair for years 2 and 3 are virtually nil. Year 4 is $2k and year 5 is $3k. Not cheap but saving $12k in first year depreciation pays for a lot of maintenance. And the Mini maintenance is not much different than a V60 Volvo. Mini better in years 1-3, identical year 4, more year 5 but over 5 years the same. About $5k for 5 years Mini or Volvo.
UK What Car Guide surveyed over 100,000 readers on car reliability. Sort of like our consumer report. They listed the Mini has the second most reliable car after Hondas. This was based on 5 year surveys. Another factor in my purchase decision.
I’m 67. It’s just me and the spouse now. Don’t need a big car.
I’m not pushing austerity. But I see a lot of people living paycheck to paycheck and spending more on their cars than their homes. My niece who lives in LV couldn’t go see her son graduate from college in LA. Said she couldn’t afford it. But there’s an Escalade and a Mercedes in her driveway. Feel bad for the kid. But he’s smart.