Medical Airlift Alert $$$$

[paws]

Just a note to all...

A friend had a serious motorcycle crash in Colorado a couple of weeks ago. EMS responded but he was critical enough to be airlifted to a trauma center hospital. I have been picking up his mail and yesterday received an invoice for the airlift. $44,814.00. YIKES!!! I think he has aircare insurance but I don’t know for sure. He is on private insurance, not Medicare yet. I am waiting for him to get home to hand him this invoice. Hopefully one or the other will cover it.

I have aircare insurance myself because I live in a somewhat remote area, however in researching it I found that these companies often do not cover but a certain radius from the home. I don’t know if all the services are this way or not but something to be checked into for sure.

I do know at about 8 years ago Medicare did not cover emergency medical airlifts....don’t know if they do or don’t now...probably not.

Just wanted to give a heads-up as an expense like this could be disastrous to a lot of us.

Everybody please take care out there.

 

[Fearless]

Just a note to all...

A friend had a serious motorcycle crash in Colorado a couple of weeks ago. EMS responded but he was critical enough to be airlifted to a trauma center hospital. I have been picking up his mail and yesterday received an invoice for the airlift. $44,814.00. YIKES!!! I think he has aircare insurance but I don’t know for sure. He is on private insurance, not Medicare yet. I am waiting for him to get home to hand him this invoice. Hopefully one or the other will cover it.

I have aircare insurance myself because I live in a somewhat remote area, however in researching it I found that these companies often do not cover but a certain radius from the home. I don’t know if all the services are this way or not but something to be checked into for sure.

I do know at about 8 years ago Medicare did not cover emergency medical airlifts....don’t know if they do or don’t now...probably not.

Just wanted to give a heads-up as an expense like this could be disastrous to a lot of us.

Everybody please take care out there.

Great point I will be asking questions myself. Thanks for the heads up I never gave it a thought. We live 20 minutes by air north of world class health care in Pittsburgh PA and a Helicopter is stationed 3 miles from home at the local hospital.

 

[Sidecarbill]

I guess thats where supplemental insurance comes in. My father was heliocoptered twice,once about ten years ago and once about 12 years ago. Supplemental picked up the tab twice.

 

[paws]

I guess thats where supplemental insurance comes in. My father was heliocoptered twice,once about ten years ago and once about 12 years ago. Supplemental picked up the tab twice.

Are you saying that supplemental and Medigap policies are the same thing or are you referring to some other type policies? New to this stuff so am just wondering. Thanks.

 

[Sidecarbill]

A far as I know they're the same. But the policy he had I believe it was called super 65 no longer exists. He got that insurance in 1986. I guess these things are are determined by how much money you have. My brother has nothing and lives month to month. So if something happens there's not much they can get from him. And I don't think they can tap into your social security. If I need to be airlifted I'm tellin them to fly over the grand canyon first so I can get it off my bucket list. If I'm still alive after that they can fly me around till I'm good and dead. :clapping:I've seen where old people are headed and its no place good.:Shrug:

 

[vwbug72501]

This is what I use: https://www.airmedcarenetwork.com/coverage/

Air Evac Lifeteam is local and with their network affiliation they cover most of the places that my wife and I travel. Even Canada. Our plan costs $65/year I think. Cheap as roadside assistance and, when needed, much more important.

 

[Marc H]

I have airmed also.I posted about this a few years ago now.I think the price went up a month or so back but its still cheap.And the coverage area keeps growing.It now covers anyplace I should ever be anyway.

 

[2006gold]

Been with the MedStar program (our local ambulance service) for a couple of years now and it has paid for itself once and then more - wife had to be transported after a fall. My air ambulance experience after crashing into a farm tractor making a LEFT turn from the RIGHT shoulder of the road. I think it was close to $35,000. Medicare and my supplement (plan F) paid what they would pay and I never received an invoice for any additional. Still looking into different plans for that and will be joining up with one also. Darn sure worth the cost.

 

[Downtown Cowtown]

Been with the MedStar program (our local ambulance service) for a couple of years now and it has paid for itself once and then more - wife had to be transported after a fall. My air ambulance experience after crashing into a farm tractor making a LEFT turn from the RIGHT shoulder of the road. I think it was close to $35,000. Medicare and my supplement (plan F) paid what they would pay and I never received an invoice for any additional. Still looking into different plans for that and will be joining up with one also. Darn sure worth the cost.

thats not medstar

thats death star

so said a bud of mine that worked there

said he only killed three people one year

hes gone now

paramedic ray RIP

 

[Woolie]

AirMedCare

We use the airMedCare system and yes it is $65.00 a year, I just consider that a donation and it covers the whole family or household. I have a nephew that works for Aero Care here in Lubbock which is part of the AirMedCare system, and he said they do a lot more than just pick up patients at the scene. If emergency air transport is required that is covered and if a patient needs an organ delivered and the donor is far away they will send a fixed wing aircraft to transport the organ. They will accept whatever insurance pays, just need to be certified as needing air lift and that is easily accomplished. Check it out, it's worth the money, especially at our age.

 

[paws]

WOOLIE!!!!

Glad to see you are still on the channel! Long time no see!

Yes, we have AeroCare for $65.00/year here at Midland. However, it won’t cover me for riding around Kerrville. You have to sign with a different service there. Since my main area is west Texas I haven’t pursued that. However, when I go to Kerrville for the TrikeTalk meet-up I always wonder how they’re going to get me off of one of the 3 Sisters very quickly... pretty remote and twisty up there.

Take care and chime in more often! Carla

 

[paws]

The 3 twisted Sisters will have you worn out and smiling by the time you get back to the Super8.

Just be sure to avoid the Ugly Step Sister...pretty rough.

 

[Woolie]

WOOLIE!!!!

Glad to see you are still on the channel! Long time no see!

Yes, we have AeroCare for $65.00/year here at Midland. However, it won’t cover me for riding around Kerrville. You have to sign with a different service there. Since my main area is west Texas I haven’t pursued that. However, when I go to Kerrville for the TrikeTalk meet-up I always wonder how they’re going to get me off of one of the 3 Sisters very quickly... pretty remote and twisty up there.

Take care and chime in more often! Carla

Hi Carla, I hope life is treating you well. We haven't been riding hardly any, too hot and the A/C in the truck just works too good. BTW the AirMedCare Network map shows a provider in Kerrville and San Antonio, maybe those providers have joined the network. Still , I hope you don't need them anyway. We haven't been to Kerrville in gosh, forever. Ride safe and maybe we will see you guys somewhere on the backroads.

 

[bikerbillone]

This is what I use: https://www.airmedcarenetwork.com/coverage/

Air Evac Lifeteam is local and with their network affiliation they cover most of the places that my wife and I travel. Even Canada. Our plan costs $65/year I think. Cheap as roadside assistance and, when needed, much more important.

Stand by and watch that price tick up sharply.

 

[rhino 2]

Me I wouldn't be caught dead in a helicopter those things are dangerous

 

[Marc H]

Me I wouldn't be caught dead in a helicopter those things are dangerous

Me either but considering the chances I would be unconscious and unable to refuse I don't want that bill to pay.BTW its $65 for seniors $85 for us younger folk.

 

[LadyonaMission]

Me either but considering the chances I would be unconscious and unable to refuse I don't want that bill to pay.BTW its $65 for seniors $85 for us younger folk.

Maybe they think old folks stay close to home 24/7.

 

[Woolie]

Maybe they think old folks stay close to home 24/7.

You OLD folks don't venture out too far now, especially after dark. lol

 

[DiggerODale]

I was Air lifted recently while experiencing a widow maker heart attack. 87 mile distance and a 13 minute flight. the cost was around 65K and Blue Cross paid 90%. Saved my life. Best flight I have ever taken.

 

[Burnerboy]

My helicopter ride cost me $55,000.00 dollars, when i had my seizure in Vaginia/Tenn. while riding the tail of the dragon :blush::blush:

Thank God for insurance!

Ronnie

 

[jjvw]

Doesn't appear theres a AirMed affilate near me in Michigan or in NC. If I was airlifted to Ashville like Ed, I won't be covered. It does cover Kerrville TX however.