FAQ'S

WHAT QUALIFIES A PATIENT FOR AIR TRANSPORT?

*Patients who need to be transported distances of 100 miles or more requiring medical attention or not able to tolerate sitting upright on an airliner.

*Patients injured while on vacation needing to be flown home.

*Patients with serious medical conditions needing transportation to a distant medical center having capabilities unavailable locally.

*Chronically ill patients who wish to relocate closer to family members, and

*Patients traveling outside the United States who become ill or injured requiring evacuation back home.

WHAT KIND OF INSURANCE COVERAGE IS AVAILABLE?

HMO's, PPO’s, IPO's and other insurance plans often cover air ambulance services.

Look for an air ambulance benefit and check the criteria. Most plans require that medical necessity is met. (A physician must certify the transportation by air ambulance is needed and that transportation by other means may endanger the patient.)

Some plans require that the transport is a life threatening emergency or that the destination is the closest appropriate facility.

Check if there is a maximum benefit and what the level is (ei: an 70% benefit level means the family must pay 30% of the charges).

WHO DETERMINES THE AVAILABILITY OF INSURANCE?

A flight coordinator will call your insurance company on your behalf and attempt to obtain pre-authorization. In addition, they will submit all claim forms and other required documentation. If we are able to obtain an authorization from your insurance company we will not require payment at the time of service. Be advised that in most cases, insurance will not cover these types of expenses and cash up front will be required, either in the form of a cashier's check or credit card, American Express being preferred, due to the high cost of operation.

HOW MUCH WILL THE OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES BE?

Multiple factors determine the final cost of an air ambulance transport. Primarily the distance flown, the type of aircraft utilized, and the medical needs of the patient in flight. A domestic (USA)transport of modest distance in a twin engine aircraft could cost as little as $4,000 to $6,000.

The cost of a cross country transport of a critically ill patient in a long range jet would increase dramatically. These costs can, however, be minimized through efficient scheduling (including fuel stops) and special one-way pricing arrangements.

WHAT QUALIFIES AN AIR AMBULANCE COMPANY?

The same level of quality is not always provided. The cheapest company is often not the best choice. The following are important questions:

* Does the company have a medical director?
* Is the company's aircraft licensed by the FAA?
* Is company licensed as an air ambulance?
* Does company have  insurance?
* Is flight staffed with a nurse and paramedic?
* Is the aircraft pressurized?
* Is medical crew trained in altitude physiology?
* Is medical director involved with each flight? 
* Is "bedside to bedside" service provided?

IS INTERNATIONAL SERVICE PROVIDED?

We have extensive experience in international evacuations. A typical scenario would be to pick up a patient at San Jose del Cabo, in the Baja Peninsula, and return them to San Diego, clear customs and then take them where ever else they need to go. Arrangements can be made to transport the patient on a long-range aircraft, such as a Learjet 35, or as a more cost effective solution, place the patient on a commercial aircraft with a medical escort. This method can be less than half the cost of a private jet.

EXPLAIN "BEDSIDE TO BEDSIDE" SERVICE.

Bedside to bedside service means that the medical crew is with the patient from the discharging facility, on the flight, and remains with the patient until arrival at the receiving facility. This service is provided on an as needed basis. We are thus able to maintain continuity in care, even while on the ground ambulance and also insures that a detailed medical report is given to the receiving medical crew.

ARE FAMILY MEMBERS ALLOWED ON THE FLIGHT?

Normally this is allowed. There are cases where our medical director may not approve a family member for a variety of reasons that may impede patient care or safety.

DO WE MAKE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS?

All arrangements are made regarding the air ambulance flight. This includes having the medical director or medical crew supervisor obtain a pre-flight medical consult, arranging ground ambulances at both ends of the flight, ordering inflight catering, handling insurance paperwork, notifying the receiving hospital of the arrival time and confirming bed availability, as well as any special requests of the family, including the number and size of personal belongings. (One bag per person is preferred due to limited working space) 

IS THE AIRCRAFT SAFE?

Our aircraft are operated under Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 135  (On-Demand Air Taxi). These regulations outline stringent pilot training and aircraft maintenance. 

Our Captains are trained annually at Flight Safety or an equivalent factory approved (Learjet), simulator based program (SimuFlight). Our aircraft are designed and equipped for all weather operation and have outstanding safety records.