In the event of an emergency, sometimes your only option for medical transport is an air ambulance. And in that moment, you may not be thinking about how you're going to pay for it when the dust settles. Will my insurance cover it? Will I have to pay for it 100% out of pocket? Will I be able to choose which air ambulance company I use? All of these are common questions we receive, and all are questions that need to be answered in order to ensure you feel confident with your medical air transport.
So why would you use an air ambulance to begin with? An air ambulance is often sent into a medical situation where a ground ambulance simply cannot reach, or cannot reach quick enough. (This goes for emergencies, since air ambulances also transport patients who are not in an emergency situation, such as to a cancer treatment facility, or simply to the hospital of their choice.) When this happens, the air ambulance can quite literally be a life saver. More than half a million patients are transported via air ambulance a year.
A ride in an air ambulance is not a cheap one. It would not be uncommon for a single trip to cost upwards of $20,000. Some more, some less. The first thing you'll want to do is contact your insurance provider to find out what type of coverage you have. Will your insurance pay for a certain amount of miles during your medical air transport, or will they cover the whole trip? You may also look into checking with your auto insurance, as this would fall under the umbrella of "transportation." Your medical condition will also impact the price of your air ambulance trip, since the type of medical professionals on board will depend upon this.
As with all medical claims, an insurance company will review your claim and determine if it was reasonable and necessary. Once this has been determined, they will reimburse the air ambulance company, who will either accept payment in full from the insurance provider, or bill you, the patient, for the remaining fee. Be prepared for either scenario, as many air ambulance companies don't work with many in-network providers.
When it's all said and done, if you think you will ever be in need of an air ambulance, or simply want to be prepared, it is best to look into your insurance policy and educate yourself. A medical air transport in an emergency situation can be a stressful time, and the last thing you'll want to worry about is how you will pay for the flight.
At Aero Med Express®, we have a team of customer service professionals ready to assist you in answering these hard questions. We will contact your insurance provider for you, if that is your preference, and we will do our best to make sure you are taken care of. Don't let the lifesaving conveniece that is an air ambulance flight become a burden on your family.