The air ambulance service begins with an initial consultation with the flight coordinator that will help determine the type of medical services and equipment that will be necessary on board the flight. After the patient’s medical requirements have been determined, arrangements are made to pick-up the patient at their initial bedside to transport them via ambulance, stretcher van, or wheelchair van to the aircraft. The patient is then transferred from the ambulance or van into the aircraft for a smooth ride from the departing airport to the destination airport. Upon landing, the patient is then transferred to another land transport vehicle such as an ambulance to be taken to the medical facility of the patient’s choosing.

Throughout the entire air ambulance transport process, the patient can remain supine with medical providers at the patient’s bedside to assist with any medical issues that may arise. Bedside-to-bedside air ambulance service offers patient’s a smooth transport that is arranged by a flight coordinator to provide a medically supervised and comfortable journey the entire distance from point A to point B.

In any case, the solution to long-distance medical transport or evacuation is the commercial air ambulance, a flying Intensive Care Unit. The commercial air ambulance contains state-of-the-art medical equipment including cardiac monitors, defibrillators, IV fluid infusion pumps, and even incubators. Though they are typically staffed with one Critical Care Nurse and one Critical Care Paramedic to handle basic medical evacuations, they can also be staffed with medical doctors, respiratory therapists, or other specialists as needed.

The commercial air ambulance has contracts in locations across the United States and the world to provide patients with uncomplicated medical transports and evacuations. Ground transportation from the patient’s current location to a nearby commercial air ambulance airport can be arranged by the flight coordinator as well as ground transportation from the destination airport to the new medical facility. The flight coordinator takes care of all of the details of the commercial air ambulance medical transfer or evacuation from a centralized location in the United States so that concerned loved ones and patients can concentrate on other important details regarding the patient’s health and well-being.

Possible Physical Effects[1]

• Ear discomfort
• Sinus discomfort
• Nausea (motion sickness)
• Dizziness
• Bloating
• Flatus (Gas)
• Eructation (Burping)
• Dry skin
• Dry Mouth
• Dry Eyes
• Dry Nose
• Irritation of tissue in the lungs, nose, and yes
• Limb numbness (caution for Deep Vein Thrombosis)
• Jet-lag, and
• Lower level of alcohol tolerance

Causes of Possible Physical Effects

Cabin pressure for aircraft is equivalent to the outside air pressure at approximately 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level.*  This in-turn causes the blood in the body to absorb less oxygen and gas in the body to expand.*  Because there is less oxygen in the cabin, some individuals may be more prone to hypoxic side effects.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions to Consider*

• Cardiac disorders
• Lung disorder
• Blood disorders (i.e. anemia, etc.)
• Infections of the ear, nose, and throat (including sinuses), and
• Recent surgeries such as abdominal surgery or eye surgery

Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)*

Prolonged sitting, as is the case with air travel, increases the risk for DVT.  Though the risk for DVT may be slight in most cases, the possibility is higher if other factors are present.

• History of pulmonary embolism or DVT (either personally or within the family)
• Taking Hormone therapy (including oral contraceptives and hormone therapy)
• Recent surgery or trauma
• Certain inherited blood-clotting disorders, and
• Cancer

Possible Psychological Effects*

• Flight phobia
• Stress
• Air “rage”

Even under the best of circumstances, passengers can experience any one or more of these air travel side effects.  Perspective travelers with pre-existing conditions are more vulnerable to adverse reactions associated with flying.  Therefore, it is crucial these individuals seek counsel from their treating physicians prior to making travel arrangements.

The professional team at 1-800-Ambulance is capable of assisting you with arrangements that may need to be made to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of their clients that may require medical assistance during their travels.

When Does Insurance Cover for Air Ambulance Transport

Most insurance companies have some form of coverage for Air Ambulance transport.  It is important to understand that there are very strict guidelines that must be followed, in order to utilize this benefit.  Primarily, insurance benefits require that the situation be considered emergent or a physician must certify that the transport is medically necessary.[1]  For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance supports emergency transport by ground ambulance and air ambulance, should the injury or the medical emergency be considered life threatening.[2]  Blue Cross Blue Shield has no benefit coverage outside of the Continental United States; nor does it have coverage to or from the Continental United States.**

Average Cost of Air Ambulance*

1)    Covered by Insurance

• a)     Co-pay could be $ 50 -$ 500, maybe even more depending on the policy.
• b)    Co-insurance could be 10% to 50%, perhaps higher reaching the annual out-of-pocket maximum for the policy.

2)    No Health Insurance

• a)     Costs relate to:

1. i)      Price of fuel
2. ii)    Category of aircraft
3. iii)   Travel distance
4. iv)   Type and number of medical personnel required

• b)    Total cost to be under $ 2,000 to as much as $ 50,000 for domestic to over $ 200,000 for international medical air transport.

What Now?

There are a number of alternatives available to help offset the costs relative to air ambulance transport.

1)    Check with your insurance carrier to determine what will and what will not be covered regarding your air transport.

2)    Consider purchasing additional coverage for emergency transportation

a)     AFLAC[3]

b)    Health Savings Account[4]

It may be impossible to plan for every emergency that may arise.  What is possible is to begin understanding what is covered under any given Insurance Plan.  Medicare and Medicaid do offer limited benefits to cover Air Ambulance transportation.  It is important to begin the process of discovering benefit options that are available if air ambulance transport is necessary or desired.

The professional staff at 1-800-Ambulance is available to assist you with your medical transportation arrangements today.

People who need emergency air transport in New York have several options for companies to choose from. Many air ambulance companies within the state work with hospitals local to their regions to provide service and transport with only a phone call. Whether you are visiting New York or are a permanent resident, you can find medical help through an air ambulance if you need it.

Many hospitals in New York have trauma units designed to accept critically injured patients. In many cases, traffic may limit how quickly a ground ambulance is able to reach the scene. An air ambulance shortens this time by flying above the congestion and moving at a faster pace. An air ambulance can quickly arrive at a scene and bring a patient to the hospital, and in cases of severe trauma, this pace can be a life-saving measure, especially when every second counts.

Because New York City has such a large population, there may be times when an air ambulance is necessary to get through. In other parts of the state, air ambulances are also essential to travel between cities or even to leave the area to pick up patients before returning to local hospitals. New York has many fine hospitals that provide the most current treatments for patients transported in air ambulances.

Many hospitals have contracts with air ambulance companies for transports, making arranging services much easier by taking the guesswork out of who to call. An air ambulance that is dispatched to the scene remains in communication with the hospital to continually update personnel about how the patient is doing. Air ambulances are staffed with highly trained nurses and paramedics who know how to care for severe injuries and who can support patients while en route.

In some situations, patients may need to be transferred between hospitals in New York, and these healthcare centers may also contact the air ambulance companies that they normally work with. During one phone call, they can usually pass along the necessary information about the patient and where he needs to go, all while setting up the dates of the transport. When the time comes for the transfer, the air ambulance arrives at the hospital, loads the patient, and takes him to the next location. Many companies in New York not only provide services between hospitals in the same cities, but also to other states or countries.

New York’s air ambulance services are designed to meet the medical needs of the patients they transfer. They accomplish this by using trained medical staff and keeping excellent communication intact, which results in safe and dependable transports for patients.

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In the event of an emergency, using an air ambulance provides a fast response that not only can get to you quickly, but also can provide rapid transport to a hospital. In Hawaii, you have choices for air ambulances, whether you need emergency help during a critical time or you need to arrange for a non-emergency transport.

Hawaii is a unique state because of its islands; rather than driving from city to city within the mainland United States, Hawaii requires transfer between the islands by either boat or plane. This is important during a time that you may need medical service but the nearest hospital is on another island. Hawaii has air ambulance systems in place that will transport patients between islands, whether based solely out of Hawaii or as a branch location from the mainland United States. For those located in the state, there may be several stations throughout the islands of Hawaii, offering quick response and thorough knowledge of the area.

Hawaii’s air ambulance system can also provide transport from hospitals in Hawaii to the mainland portion of the United States, depending on the need. For example, a person who becomes ill while visiting Hawaii may be transported to his home state if he is in stable condition after treatment at a local hospital. In some situations, a hospital that specializes in treatment of certain types of conditions may require air ambulance transport from Hawaii if it is located in another city in the United States.

The air ambulance system in Hawaii is equipped with aircraft to safely transport patients while providing for their medical needs. Their flights are equipped with all of the supplies an ambulance needs to care for critical injuries or provide stand-by assistance for routine transfers. Additionally, many pilots and medical personnel may have worked in Hawaii and are familiar with the different islands, the names of local cities, and the culture of the state. Because Hawaii has some cultural history and language that differs from the rest of the country, having ambulance personnel who know and understand this background will facilitate an easier transport to navigate between cities.

Whether you are traveling to Hawaii for vacation or you are a permanent resident, an air ambulance system in this state will provide the resources you need for transport. You can expect quality and professional medical care to get you from one place to the next.

Medical travel, also referred to as medical tourism, is a form of seeking healthcare from another location, often through the services of a hospital in another country. Many people enlist in medical travel, although the reasons for doing so vary between patients. Some may travel because they are in need of a specific type of surgical procedure from a hospital located in another country is renowned for its work. In other situations, people pursue medical travel because of cost issues or waiting lists for non-emergency procedures.

Medical travel was once done only by those who were very wealthy and who could afford to fly long distances to seek medical care. Today, with increased availability of booking flights, using frequent flyer miles, and companies offering to coordinate services, the numbers of patients seeking medical travel continue to increase. Many people travel for medical purposes to find hospitals that provide cutting-edge surgical services. Some locations have also capitalized on this concept and have designed healthcare centers to be luxurious retreats that offer surgery and medical procedures, but also lavish rehabilitation facilities.

When you travel for medical purposes, you may be able to work with a company that will help you find the services you need, or you can make arrangements on your own. You may need to make arrangements for your own flights to get to the location and also to come home, which will be when your physician releases you to fly. In many situations, you will not be accompanied for the flight. Additionally, you may need to take a considerable amount of time to be away for your procedure, depending on the type of medical care you are seeking. Some services for which people seek medical travel include cosmetic repairs, dental work, or even types of general surgeries. Additionally, some people seek medical travel if they have been told that a specific surgical procedure that they need is not available close to home.

The cost of flying for medical travel should be included into the total cost of traveling. As with any procedure, there are risks and benefits associated with traveling for medical care. If you are able to coordinate flights and costs to travel for surgery or other types of treatment; you would like to save some money on healthcare costs or avoid being on a waiting list; or you want to receive medical care that is offered in a comfortable, retreat-like atmosphere, then medical travel may be an option for you.

Whether you are visiting Canada for a holiday or you are a current resident, you can find the services of an air ambulance that will meet your needs. An air ambulance may be used to transfer you or a loved one from one location to another, using the speed of air travel combined with advanced medical equipment and professionally trained staff.

When someone is injured in an accident or develops a critical illness, sometimes the best option is to transport the patient by using an air ambulance. Within Canada, these types of ambulances can fly all over the country and between provinces to reach patients in need, although if a critical case develops, the closest air ambulance company may be dispatched. The crew on board is trained to stabilize the patient before evacuating him to fly to the nearest hospital. In some cases, this may be within the same city, while in other situations, the scene may occur at a remote location. Using an air ambulance can dramatically reduce the time that it takes to get to a hospital when compared with driving a ground ambulance.

There may also be situations in which you need to be transferred from your home to the hospital but the case is not an emergency. For these times, an air ambulance may also need to be arranged if the distance is very great. Canada has many different air ambulance companies that serve all of the provinces, so even if you need a specific type of medical care that is not close to home, you may still be able to make arrangements for an air ambulance to transport you. Many air ambulance companies in Canada also will transport patients out of the country and to other parts of the world.

Air ambulance personnel in Canada are trained nurses and paramedics that understand complex medical conditions and can provide treatment en route to the hospital. They may have advanced certification in several areas, such as trauma care, burn care or advanced life support for specific populations. If a situation is an emergency, air ambulance professionals work to treat many types of injuries or illnesses to get you to the hospital quickly. Even if it is not an emergency, you may find that an air ambulance will take you where you need to go, with medical professionals there to help if you need it.

As the second largest state in America, Texas has a lot of ground to cover when air transports are necessary. Air ambulances are essential forms of medical transportation in many situations, including non-emergency transports and critical flights. Because of the vast size of Texas, an air ambulance in this state can quickly transfer patients between cities when necessary, whether you need to fly to Amarillo or Corpus Christi.

Our air ambulance services in Texas provide medical care for patients in need of transport for a variety of medical reasons. In some situations, an air ambulance is dispatched to a scene of an accident, which will get paramedics and nurses to the field much more quickly than driving. Because Texas has both rural communities and large cities, air ambulances used in the Lone Star State are valuable resources to reach almost anyone in need, whether it is because of an incident in the city or an accident that occurs miles from town.

Texas air ambulances may also serve patients who need transport for non-emergency care. These aircraft can carry a patient who must travel a long distance and is unable to do so independently. A physician may order that a patient in a wheelchair or on bed rest be transferred to another facility for various reasons. If the facility is over a great distance, such as across the state or to another location outside of Texas, an air ambulance can make the transfer.

Air ambulances consist of both fixed-wing planes and helicopters, depending on the company and the distance to travel. Within Texas, some companies focus on providing services to certain parts of the state, such as the southeast portion. They are able to use helicopters, which work quickly but cover a smaller area than an airplane. Alternatively, there are some Texas companies that provide air ambulance services throughout the state and will also transport patients to other states when necessary, if the patient’s condition warrants this.

Texas has many high-quality healthcare institutions that provide a range of services for patients, whether they are adults, children, infants, or the elderly. Using an air ambulance service to get a patient to one of these institutions is not only fast, but the experience of the personnel on board combined with the speed of the ambulance, saves many lives.

Every day, people are injured in accidents or develop life-threatening illnesses that require immediate care and transport to the nearest hospital. In California, these situations often require an air ambulance for fast transport, whether the patient is being moved from one part of the city to the local hospital or from a remote part of a national forest to a major healthcare center miles away.

An air ambulance is often used to transport critical patients between locations because it reduces the time for arrival. Ground ambulances must navigate traffic in California’s largest cities or the rugged outdoor terrain between small towns. Additionally, ground ambulances, while they drive quickly, are no match for the speed of flight of an air ambulance. In critical situations, an air ambulance can be dispatched to rapidly arrive at a scene and then transport a patient to the hospital.

Air ambulances in California are often private companies that work with hospitals located throughout the state. These ambulances may be helicopters, which can land very close to the scene or right at a landing site at a hospital. Helicopters are fast and convenient modes of air medical transportation but they travel shorter distances than fixed-wing planes. Within California, a helicopter transporting a patient across this vast state may need to stop and refuel. Another type of aircraft used for air ambulances are fixed-wing planes, which can travel longer distances and may be used to take patients out of California and into other states, depending on the patient’s needs and the reasons for the transport.

California air ambulances carry many types of medical equipment necessary to help patients in need. Some patients who have critical injuries may need the services of an air ambulance with advanced cardiac life support and that carries personnel who have advanced training in this type of care. There are also air ambulances that provide non-emergency transportation for patients who are traveling between facilities but the distance is too great to tolerate riding in a car or truck.

Air ambulance companies in California must be familiar with the various types of terrain found in this state, from large cities to hills, valleys, coastline, and everything in between. This makes transporting patients around the state of California an exciting task that is not only safe, but rapid and prompt.