| A medical emergency is one of the worst things for a | | | | transport companies must have operators in far-flung |
| person to go through. Emergency transportation to a | | | | locations and bases able to travel in most states on a |
| medical facility in an ambulance has saved many lives. | | | | moment's basis. Helicopters, which are expensive |
| Sometimes, an air ambulance is needed. These | | | | enough in themselves to acquire and fuel, must also be |
| helicopters rescue people in locations inaccessible to | | | | equipped with the highest quality medical equipment |
| standard emergency vehicles, such as at the top of | | | | and staff around the clock. |
| the Grand Canyon. They are also used in the most | | | | Air ambulances transport over 500,000 people in the |
| critical cases, when time is of the essence and | | | | United States annually. Most of the time, patients and |
| backed-up traffic could make the difference between | | | | their loved ones are not provided with clear, reliable |
| life or death. The companies that provide air | | | | information regarding how much the trip will cost them. |
| ambulances provide an essential service, and there is | | | | The ambulances appear at a vulnerable moment; |
| no doubt that they are appreciated by those rescued, | | | | therefore, few individuals take advantage of their legal |
| as well as their loved ones. | | | | right to refuse ambulance transport. Some refuse to |
| Unfortunately, much of this emergency transportation | | | | use a ground ambulance, preferring to have a friend or |
| is not covered by health insurance plans. Victims are | | | | family member drive them to the hospital in order to |
| often in for a new shock once they get a bill from | | | | avoid fees. However, such a strategy isn't as effective |
| these private companies. Obviously, these firms must | | | | in those situations most likely to require air transport: a |
| charge in order to cover their costs, as well as be | | | | patient in critical condition with severe injuries, when the |
| profitable. Many Americans are already familiar with | | | | closest treatment center is extremely far away or |
| the increasing fees charged for an ambulance | | | | there are extenuating circumstances that may |
| transport by truck--anywhere from $8,000 to $2,000 | | | | increase travel time (e.g. rough terrain or traffic). Most |
| for transport. Health insurance plans often cover only a | | | | people don't know what amount of emergency |
| portion of ambulance expenses, leaving the patient and | | | | transport is covered in their health insurance plans, |
| their family with the rest to handle out-of-pocket. Sixty | | | | because that provision is typically hidden in the fine |
| percent of private plans pay the entire bill, but that cost | | | | print. As a result, those with high-deductible health |
| is often passed onto policyholders in the form of higher | | | | insurance plans or Health Savings Accounts are unable |
| premiums. Public health insurance plans, such as | | | | to shop around for the best deal. |
| Medicare and Medicaid, are charged a rate discounted | | | | As an increasing percentage of Americans has been |
| by 40% due to their stingy reimbursement rates. | | | | driven to bankruptcy through medical debt, new |
| Meanwhile, just two percent of the uninsured who | | | | solutions have been introduced to mitigate the negative |
| have used an air ambulance pay off the charges. | | | | impact ambulance costs can have on a family's or |
| The amount charged is based on an initial fee, plus a | | | | individual's finances. Now, there have been |
| certain amount per mile flown. Operators of air | | | | supplemental insurance plans offered by air ambulance |
| ambulances point to several factors when justifying | | | | companies, which allow careful consumers to pay a |
| their rates, which range from $8,000 to $25,000. First, | | | | fee in exchange for free emergency transportation. |
| they must recoup the costs incurred from those flights | | | | These programs, such as Northwest MedStar, cover |
| not paid for in full; whether those losses are due to | | | | any of the costs left over after health insurance plans |
| health insurance plans stalling reimbursement | | | | pay their share. Such memberships can be especially |
| payments, writing off patients without insurance who | | | | helpful to those living in rural areas where hospitals are |
| lack any resources to pay, and the reduced amounts | | | | distant, or those employed in dangerous lines of work. |
| recieved for those insured by the government. In | | | | However, these products are not as strictly regulated |
| addition, air ambulances emphasize the millions of | | | | as standard health insurance plans, so research is |
| dollars in infrastructure that must be invested to | | | | necessary if one chooses to go down that route. |
| provide this service. For example, emergency air | | | | (Image: euthman under CC 2. |