The high cost of medivac
January 18th, 2019 at 1:49:26 PM
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I first encountered this around Thanksgiving and have been looking into it ever since. Some of you may be aware of it, but I suspect many are not and it is something some of you might want to at least think about.
Medical evacuations, (usually helicopter but it also encompasses plane rides for things such as returning people to the US from out of the country or moving patients between hospitals inside the states), have greatly increased over the past few decades. You might think your health insurance would cover the bill, but in most cases it doesn't. It might cover part, but people all over the country are getting stuck with bills that can exceed $50,000. (Old folks can worry a little less; Medicare seems to cover the costs but you might want to check with your insurer).
Here's a few articles about it:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/26/health/air-ambulance-high-price/index.html
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-06-11/private-equity-backed-air-ambulances-leave-behind-massive-bills
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/09/25/647531500/taken-for-a-ride-doctor-injured-in-atv-crash-gets-56-603-bill-for-air-ambulance
There are some options for insurance, such as this one:
https://www.classicairmedical.com
For this particular company you must already have health insurance. Yearly costs for singles is $69, $79 for couples and $89 for entire households.
I don't know exactly what the coverage is because I have not read through it all yet, but it does say:
"Whether you live in Utah, Arizona, Wyoming or Colorado. We got you covered."
I thought that was a reasonable price given the potential overall costs.
There may or may not be places in other parts of the country that have similar services.
There is also some legislative action on the federal level about this, but who knows when, or if, it will ever happen.
I should also note that this isn't the same has travel evacuation insurance. A quick look showed those policies seemed to be for a week or so with costs running $200-$300.
Just thought it might be of use to some people here.
Medical evacuations, (usually helicopter but it also encompasses plane rides for things such as returning people to the US from out of the country or moving patients between hospitals inside the states), have greatly increased over the past few decades. You might think your health insurance would cover the bill, but in most cases it doesn't. It might cover part, but people all over the country are getting stuck with bills that can exceed $50,000. (Old folks can worry a little less; Medicare seems to cover the costs but you might want to check with your insurer).
Here's a few articles about it:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/26/health/air-ambulance-high-price/index.html
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-06-11/private-equity-backed-air-ambulances-leave-behind-massive-bills
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/09/25/647531500/taken-for-a-ride-doctor-injured-in-atv-crash-gets-56-603-bill-for-air-ambulance
There are some options for insurance, such as this one:
https://www.classicairmedical.com
For this particular company you must already have health insurance. Yearly costs for singles is $69, $79 for couples and $89 for entire households.
I don't know exactly what the coverage is because I have not read through it all yet, but it does say:
"Whether you live in Utah, Arizona, Wyoming or Colorado. We got you covered."
I thought that was a reasonable price given the potential overall costs.
There may or may not be places in other parts of the country that have similar services.
There is also some legislative action on the federal level about this, but who knows when, or if, it will ever happen.
I should also note that this isn't the same has travel evacuation insurance. A quick look showed those policies seemed to be for a week or so with costs running $200-$300.
Just thought it might be of use to some people here.
January 18th, 2019 at 1:53:02 PM
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A high percentage of medevac are due to car accidents. I wonder if car insurance covers it. If it does you would probably be at max benefits right away.
Expect the worst and you will never be disappointed.
I AM NOT PART OF GWAE RADIO SHOW
January 18th, 2019 at 4:39:59 PM
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It is not always a safe ride. Stourms, sleep schedules, flights to maintenave facilities, pilot training. flight nurse/paramedic.
Angels Flight flies pediatric cancer patients and families but only with prior scheduling.
Often cops call for a helicopter when an ambukance would take someone to a closer hospital so the helicopter captures the bulk of the business for a regional trauma center.
collection agencies said to be aggressive at times and often buy up the unpaid bills from others.
Angels Flight flies pediatric cancer patients and families but only with prior scheduling.
Often cops call for a helicopter when an ambukance would take someone to a closer hospital so the helicopter captures the bulk of the business for a regional trauma center.
collection agencies said to be aggressive at times and often buy up the unpaid bills from others.
January 18th, 2019 at 4:52:29 PM
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Quote: FleaStiffIt is not always a safe ride. Stourms, sleep schedules, flights to maintenave facilities, pilot training. flight nurse/paramedic.
Angels Flight flies pediatric cancer patients and families but only with prior scheduling.
Often cops call for a helicopter when an ambukance would take someone to a closer hospital so the helicopter captures the bulk of the business for a regional trauma center.
collection agencies said to be aggressive at times and often buy up the unpaid bills from others.
There’s a medi vac helicopter that flies out of Atlantic City.
A few years back a pilot crashed the helicopter and was killed. Fortunately there was not a patient or anyone else with him.
