AeroCare Frequently Asked Questions

Helicopter air ambulances are generally used for short emergency transports (approx. 200 miles or less) of patients that require emergent care. For instance, a person that has been injured in an automobile accident and needs to be medically air-lifted to the nearest hospital. A fixed-wing air ambulance like the aircraft AeroCare has are used to transport stable patients long distances from one medical facility to another.

All of the aircraft AeroCare uses are operated by our two Part 135 Operators, who are bound by FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulations outlining pilot training, duty time, aircraft operation, and maintenance. AeroCare utilizes pilot crews that have been trained annually at Flight Safety or an equivalent factory approved, simulator-based program and conduct risk assessments for each mission. All AeroCare Aircraft are designed and equipped for all-weather operation and have outstanding safety records.

AeroCare makes all arrangements regarding the air ambulance flight. This includes obtaining a pre-flight medical consult or report of the patient condition at their current discharging facility, arranging ground ambulances at both the discharging and receiving ends, ordering in-flight catering, handling insurance paperwork if necessary, notifying the receiving hospital of the arrival time and confirming bed availability, as well as any special requests of the family.

Normally yes and there is no additional charge. There are however cases where our Medical Director may not approve a family member for a variety of reasons that may impede patient care.

Bedside-to-bedside service means that the medical crew is with the patient from the discharging facility, on the flight, and until arrival at the receiving facility. Although many companies do not provide this service, AeroCare feels that bedside-to-bedside service is very important to avoid any complications with the patient at turn of care and also to keep in mind any type of federal regulation related to transfer to a lower-level of care. It allows our crews to maintain continuity in care, even while on the ground ambulance and also ensures that a detailed medical report is given to the receiving medical crew.

Yes. AeroCare has extensive experience in international evacuations around the world. We can arrange for our medical team to transport the patient on a long-range aircraft or as a more cost-effective solution, arrange for a stretcher to be placed on a commercial aircraft. Commercial medical escorts can be less than half the cost of a private jet. AeroCare has evacuated patients from Singapore, Guam, Japan, Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South America and many other countries throughout the world.

Many factors determine the final cost of an air ambulance transport. The primary factors being the distance flown, the type of aircraft utilized, and the medical needs of the patient in flight. Fortunately, as a direct provider of Air Ambulance Services, AeroCare can try to minimize these costs, especially if the transport is not time-sensitive. Through efficient scheduling and special one-way pricing arrangements, many clients can see final costs on the lower end of the ranges.

Yes. Our Reimbursement Specialists will liaise with your insurance company on your behalf and attempt to obtain benefit overviews and/or pre-authorization, whenever necessary. In these instances, AeroCare will be responsible for submitting all claim forms, letters of medical necessity and other pertinent documentation. If AeroCare is able to obtain an authorization from your insurance company we will not require payment at the time of service. However, in some instances, we may ask for a retainer if we are not able to verify information up-front.

Many insurance plans, HMO’s, PPO’s and IPO’s cover air ambulance services. If you have insurance and the flight meets medical necessity criteria AeroCare will verify your benefits before departure. Medical necessity carries a strict criterion such as life-threatening/limb-threatening emergency and transport to the closest appropriate facility. Additionally, insurance may only pay a maximum amount leaving family responsible for deductibles and co-pays.

Patients that need to be transported distances over 200 miles and require medical attention and/or are unable to tolerate sitting upright in an airliner. AeroCare typically transports patients injured while on vacation needing to be flown home, patients with serious medical conditions needing transportation to a distant medical center that has capabilities unavailable locally, chronically ill patients who want to relocate close to family members, and patients who are traveling outside the US and become ill or injured requiring evacuation back to the states.