| ng someone onboard an air ambulance is a big | | | | medical staff, and all medical consultations, and ground |
| decision and it’s a decision that needs to be | | | | transportation (the costs of getting the patient from the |
| made carefully. If a person needs to be transported | | | | landing field to the intended medical facility). |
| via air ambulance, it usually means the patient’s | | | | Check air ambulance safety |
| health is already compromised in some manner. If at all | | | | So many people assume that just because a |
| possible, you want to ensure that the trip up in the air | | | | company offers air ambulance service it has a solid |
| won’t aggravate that individual’s | | | | track record for safety. This is absolutely not a safe |
| condition any further. | | | | assumption! Few regulatory requirements exist for an |
| Is there any way to guarantee a smooth flight onboard | | | | air ambulance company which means that just about |
| an air ambulance? There are no guarantees in life | | | | anyone can hang a sign and open the doors for |
| however a bit of research can increase the chances. | | | | business. It’s not hard to use the Internet to |
| Here are a few tips that may help when you need to | | | | check on an air ambulance company’s safety |
| arrange an air ambulance. | | | | record. Never make a choice of this magnitude with |
| Know what to ask for | | | | first checking into the history of the air ambulance |
| The term medevac, or medical evacuation, is often | | | | company. |
| used interchangeably with the term air ambulance. | | | | Choose the right-sized aircraft |
| While correct, the trouble with using the term medevac | | | | Which type of aircraft is going to be best – |
| is that it is vague; the term doesn’t specify the | | | | helicopter, propeller plane, or jet liner? Selecting the right |
| actual type of transportation that will be used. | | | | air ambulance depends on the specifics. For example, |
| Medevac can imply other modes of medical | | | | how far does the patient need to be transported? |
| transportation including medical evacuation via ground. | | | | How many passengers need to accompany the |
| If you’re looking for medical transportation by | | | | patient (including medical and flight staff), what type of |
| air, always use the term air ambulance. | | | | medical equipment and supplies need to accompany |
| Know how the price is being quoted | | | | the patient? These are the types of issues that help |
| Cost doesn’t usually become an issue until later | | | | determine what’s going to get the patient to his |
| on when the bill arrives. When you’re caught up | | | | destination not only quickly, but safely and comfortably, |
| in the moment, you want your loved one transported | | | | too. |
| and that’s all that really matters. To avoid being | | | | Start with a medical consultation |
| surprised (not to mention stunned) by the cost of the | | | | If the air ambulance company you’re |
| air ambulance, make sure that in addition to mileage, | | | | considering doesn’t offer to consult with you |
| the prices you are quoted include the flight crew, | | | | prior to departure, then it’s time to search for |
| landing and other fees, applicable taxes, medical | | | | an air ambulance company that will. |
| expenses including use of onboard medical equipment, | | | | |