Under the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), your employer is strictly responsible for paying the full cost of your ambulance transportation from the workplace to the nearest hospital on the day of your injury. You should never pay this bill out of pocket. If you receive an invoice in the mail, you must forward it to your employer or the WSIB immediately.
Experiencing a severe injury at work is a traumatic and chaotic event. When paramedics arrive and load you into an ambulance, your focus should be on your health and survival, not on how you will afford the medical transport. Unfortunately, many injured workers receive an unexpected ambulance bill in the mail weeks later and panic. It is a common misconception that because OHIP does not always cover the full cost of an ambulance, the worker is left footing the bill.
In Ontario, the law is explicitly designed to protect workers from the immediate financial fallout of a workplace accident. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) clearly outlines the legal duties of the employer on the day of the incident. Whether you were injured on a construction site in Toronto, a manufacturing plant in Mississauga, or an office in Ottawa, the rules remain exactly the same. 🚑 This guide will explain your rights regarding emergency transportation and how to ensure the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) or your employer handles the costs.
Step-by-Step Process for Handling Ambulance Bills in Ontario
If you have been hurt on the job and required an ambulance, it is vital to follow the correct administrative steps to ensure the billing is routed correctly. Missing these steps can lead to unnecessary collections notices.
Step 1: Prioritize Immediate Medical Attention
Your first step is always to get the care you need. If you are severely injured, a co-worker or supervisor should immediately call 911. You do not need your employer’s permission to call an ambulance if it is a medical emergency. The employer is legally obligated to arrange and pay for your transportation to a hospital, a physician’s clinic, or your home on the day the injury occurs.
Step 2: Inform the Hospital About the Workplace Injury
When you arrive at the emergency room, you or a family member must clearly state to the triage nurse that the injury occurred at work. Provide them with your employer’s full legal name and contact information. This ensures the hospital categorizes the visit as a WSIB claim rather than a standard OHIP visit, which helps direct any future billing (including the ambulance) to the correct party.
Step 3: Redirecting an Errant Ambulance Bill
In Ontario, hospitals often send ambulance bills directly to the patient’s home address by default, simply because your address is on your health card. If you receive a bill (typically for $45 CAD), do not pay it. Instead, hand the physical invoice to your employer’s Human Resources department or submit it directly to your WSIB case manager through your online portal. Your employer is legally required to pay this specific invoice.
Step 4: Ensure the Employer Files a Form 7
For your claim to be processed, your employer must submit a Form 7 (Employer’s Report of Injury/Disease) to the WSIB within three days of learning about the accident. This form officially registers the incident and triggers the WSIB’s financial mechanisms. If your employer refuses to file this form, they are committing an offence under the WSIA, and you must report them to the Ministry of Labour.
Step 5: File Your Own Form 6
Even if your employer handles the ambulance bill, you must complete your own Form 6 (Worker’s Report of Injury/Disease). This is your opportunity to describe the accident in your own words and claim Loss of Earnings (LOE) benefits if you miss time from work beyond the day of the accident.
How Much Does Medical Care Cost in a WSIB Claim?
| Medical Expense Type | Who is Responsible for Payment? |
|---|---|
| Ambulance on Day of Injury | The Employer is 100% legally responsible under the WSIA. |
| Emergency Room Visit | Covered directly by WSIB through provincial healthcare billing. |
| Prescription Medications | Paid by WSIB, provided the medication is related to the allowed workplace injury. |
| Physical Rehabilitation (Physio) | Paid by WSIB at approved clinics within their authorized treatment blocks. |
How Long Does the WSIB Process Take?
The timeline for WSIB claims can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Your employer must report the accident (Form 7) within 3 days. You have up to 6 months to file your Form 6. ⏳ Once the initial paperwork is submitted, WSIB generally assigns a claim number within a few days, and initial entitlement decisions regarding Loss of Earnings (LOE) are typically made within 2 to 4 weeks. If your claim is denied, you have six months to file an “Intent to Object” to start the appeals process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if my employer refuses to pay the ambulance bill?
If your employer refuses to pay the ambulance invoice, you should submit the bill directly to the WSIB. The WSIB will typically pay the bill to ensure you are not sent to collections, and they will subsequently penalize or back-charge the non-compliant employer.
Do I have to pay for an ambulance if I am transferred to a second hospital?
No. If the first hospital cannot treat your specific workplace injury and transfers you via ambulance to a specialized facility, this transportation is considered a medically necessary expense covered entirely by the WSIB.
Can my employer force me to take an Uber instead of an ambulance?
If the injury is a medical emergency (like a severe laceration, fall, or loss of consciousness), the employer cannot force you to use a taxi or rideshare to save money. You have the right to emergency paramedic care.
Do I need a lawyer for a simple ambulance bill dispute?
Generally, no. An unpaid ambulance bill can usually be resolved by calling your WSIB case manager. However, if your employer is denying the accident entirely (claim suppression), consulting a local workers’ compensation law firm is highly recommended.
Dealing with the aftermath of a workplace injury is stressful, but you are legally protected from the costs of emergency transportation. If your employer is pressuring you to pay medical bills or refusing to file the required forms, reach out to an experienced Ontario WSIB lawyer from our directory to protect your rights.
Leave a Reply