Thursday

A PROFILE IN GREED - Air Evac Lifeteam Charges College Student $17,000 For a Ride in a Helicopter

This isn't just David vs. Goliath, this is Erin vs. Air Evac Lifeteam, an American college student returning home from a mission of mercy vs. a mercenary helicopter service that charges insanely outrageous fees for the privilege of ferrying helpless accident victims to a hospital, and later, to a lifeteam of crushing debt.

THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THIS BLOG POST MADE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THE AVERAGE COST FOR A 30 MINUTE TO 60 MINUTE MEDICAL HELICOPTER RIDE, REGARDLESS OF INJURY OR NON-INJURY, HAS RISEN TO $39,0000 - $50,000+ PER TRIP, AND THE RISE IN COST SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING. THIS IS A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS FOR RUTHLESS SOCIOPATHS WHO KNOW THAT INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY EVEN HALF OF THIS BILL IN MOST CASES. 

Now, I support capitalism, but what Air Evac Lifeteam does to unfortunate people unable to compete in a fair marketplace for air ambulance services is unconscionable unless one is a confirmed corporate sociopath, the Enron likes of which intentionally cut the electricity in California to drive up prices.

Now comes the victim, Erin Neff (daughter to the editor of Web del Sol)--returning home from a long trip, organized by her school to help Katrina casualties. Her van spun out of control and Erin was thrown from the vehicle and onto the highway. Miraculously, she did not break anything, but authorities on the scene thought it best to evac her to the nearest hospital for tests. And guess who arrives? AIR EVAC LIFETEAM with a transport price tag that would make even millionaires pause--I mean, who in their right mind would pay $17,000+ for a 30 minute helicopter ride? No one, of course.

Erin didn't mind getting picked up and flown to the hospital. It was fun, in a way. Little did she know that this angel-of-mercy company was going to send her a bill that would potentially burden her with bills at high interest rates for years to come (on top of her student loans!). A copy of that bill can be found here. Note they charged her a whopping ten grand just to step on the copter! The rest of it is a per mile fee that adds up to close to seven more thousand.

Erin Neff cannot pay this bill. She is working with her college to pay some of it. Insurance is covering zip. But even as around-the-block as I am, this kind of story floors me!
Okay, so what is really responsible for the dizzying rise of health care costs in America? One word ... GREED.

Just pure f**king GREED!
Thank you, Air Evac Lifeteam.
_________

71 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:18 AM

    Just FYI...Air ambulance companies have to charge what they do to stay in business. Most companies only collect on 40%-60% of all emergency calls. They carry everybody regardless of ability to pay. So, you were provided a service that potentially saved your life (at the time you didn't know the extent of your injuries). How much is your life worth?? Why isn't the automobile insurance paying? Why isn't your medical insurance paying? These are the questions you need to ask.

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    1. Anonymous11:08 AM

      i'm sorry--did you not read the amount they are charging?? this is not insurance so that nullifies that argument--c'mon man--what are you? An Air Evac exec??

      Delete
  2. Of course, the usual phony arguments to excuse unbridled greed.

    We need to charge this amount to stay in business ($17,000 per 30 minutes), followed by the WHAT IS YOUR LIFE WORTH logic used by all health care greed mongers.

    I adequately address the latter here: http://artsandpalaver.blogspot.com/2008/12/air-evac-lifeteam-supporter-goes-on.html

    Using "life worth" arguments, the greed mongers believe they can justify pauperizing anyone, ruining their lives, forcing them from their homes, blowing their credit, hampering their ability to support themselves, and all else for the right to potentially save life. No amount is too large, no future financial burdens too onerous.

    Doesn't it remind you of Potter from It's a Wonderful Life? He forced people to live in squalor, and said, "If it weren't for me, they would have no place to live."

    Air Evac will chopper you sure, then get attorneys and collection agents to drive you to suicide if you don't pay them their pound of flesh.

    They charge what they think they can get away with, that's all.

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  3. Anonymous9:43 AM

    Hi Elizabeth, I completely agree. My sister was involved in a car accident where she was put on an air evac helicopter and sent to the nearest hospital less than 30 minutes away for $17K. My sister then passed away at the hospital. The insurance company paid almost half of that but air evac is unhappy with that sum and is now constantly calling our family members even though my sister was a single adult. That would be similar to american express calling me to pay her outstanding credit card bills which would be ridiculous. Believe it or not, there are atleast 6 other HC providers involved and all of them have written off the unpaid portion because she did not have a husband nor was she underage (where they would pursue the parents) but good old air evac seems to have no problems calling me every few weeks pretending to "check in". I think it's quite disgusting that they are trying to act like a concerned party in the hopes that they can recoup the portion that insurance did not cover from devastated family members that are not even legally financially liable for the victim. What is of concern is that they make it seem as if the unpaid bill will reflect negatively on her/my credit. Like it matters for hers. I think it's even more alarming that they can charge whatever price they want using the line that it is to save your life. Well, what if the victim died? What if the victim would have lived had they done a better job of getting her to the airport? Can I get a discount for that? All in all, I think it's a ridiculous exercise in futility since they will not stop calling but I wanted to tell our story in the hopes that one day this heartless bully can be stopped.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Tell them you can't discuss anything with them due to review of the medical service provided by your attorney's medical team.

      Delete
    2. Tell them you can't discuss anything with them due to review of the medical service provided by your attorney's medical team.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous10:39 PM

    I can understand being upset about a big bill - especially when you're not getting help with taking care of it from your insurance Companies...but Air Evac would not be in business if there was not a need, and if their costs of operating were not being covered.

    As a Firefighter who is often involved in rescue calls in our County - we only call for Air Evac if there is the very real possibility that a patient will die or lose a limb if not quickly transferred to a trauma center.

    Also worth mentioning...many rural Counties here in Tennessee and in other states do not have adequate resources available for trauma patients at our hospitals...therefor trauma patients need to be taken directly to a capable facility as QUICKLY as possible...if a trauma patient is not able to get to a trauma center within one hour of an accident...their survival rate drops significantly.

    Also - Air Evac membership's are available for as little as $50/year which covers you for any unpaid costs - any balance left over after Insurance pays.

    So...$50/year membership would have taken care of the $17,000...

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  5. Anonymous8:21 PM

    ANY other sevice charges are comparable. Hospital Wing in Memphis, Vanderbuilt in Nashville, Air Care, companies in Dallas, all over you idiot.

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  6. Anonymous9:28 AM

    The best part is that their crews work 48-72 hr weeks with no overtime pay and most of the paramedics are eligible for Medicaid with the piss poor wages they recieve! I know I am one of them.

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  7. You folks must realize that these helicopter flights pay for the entire companies operation. The secrataries, paper clips, copy machines. It isn't just the direct cost of operating the helicopter. The helicopters are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It cost money, big money. Don't think so, go start your own helicopter company and find out.

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    1. Anonymous11:13 AM

      Ow about something reasonable then? How about $1500.00 an hr.? how much profit do they eeek out of every flight? My God--talk about opportunisitic? Rape patients because they are in need??

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:18 AM

      hmmm may they need to relook at their business model.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous9:50 AM

      As a helicopter pilot (who does not work in this industry thank god) I think you grossly underestimate what it costs to operate a helicopter. The direct operating costs of the helicopters used as air ambulances ranges from about $880/hour to $3000 an hour. You add in pilots, standby, overhead, the medical equipment, and medical crew. You go up pretty dam quick.

      I'm not saying 17k is reasonable but it is not that unreasonable. Don't forget there is dead head time on both legs of the patient transfer, the helicopter has to fly out get the patient then fly back to its air base. It likely COST air evac about 3-5k to make that that 30 minute flight they are charging 17k for. As for why are they not charging only 6k-7k (what would seem a reasonable markup) Another poster said it above, 60% of patients pay 0, because they cant pay for it, but the EMS companies have an obligation to carry them regardless. If we let those people who cant pay die in the street we can drop prices down to 6-7k...

      Delete
    4. And now, over seven years later, the cost has nearly tripled to $59,000 and counting. The escalation will continue and continue. They are engaged in incrementally charging more and more for each flight, therefore artificially raising the overall price to astronomical levels!

      Delete
  8. Anonymous12:13 AM

    Helicopters are very expensive. To own, operate, even just the fuel involved. A real air ambulance like Vandy has the Helicopter itself is 6-8 million dollars then over $1000 an hour to operate plus fuel. And you have to pay them to fly to the accident,to the hospital, then back home. Heance the base rate. These are private companys that are for making a profit. Its called the American Dream. Now Air Evac uses old worn out Helicopters with undertrained and underpaid crews so they can make more money. The bill was fair for the service recieved. Healthcare is expensive. If seriously injured this would be one day or less in an ICU. Helicopters for getting a pt to the right place fast can prevent a bill from a smaller hospital that transfers pt out much bigger than this. And being at the right hospital fast could decrease the stay, decrease rehab time and save way more than the 17,000. If your not hurt bad and were lucky then the bill sucks. Suck it up and deal with it!

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    1. Anonymous1:29 PM

      FYI, we are highly trained and educated, get your facts straight.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:25 PM

      You don't know what you're talking about. A Bell 407 ( which in new and not what Air Evac uses) costs that much but only costs $1200 per hour (current factory figures) for fuel and maintenance reserves. I was flown in September from La Grange to Austin (48 nautical miles). The chopper was already at La Grange and would have gone back to Austin empty. I obviously had no say in the matter. I was not on life support and only needed monitoring.

      Total bill - $38,000. Luckily, for the air evac companies in Texas - NONE of them have been made to sign on to agreements with ANY insurance company. Therefore, they are not tied to real life "usual and customary" charges as paid by insurance. The companies in the other 37 states which are bound by such agreements seem to stay in business !!!!!

      I'm a corporate pilot with a Lear Jet type rating. I have actually flown air ambulance flights in Lear Jets. They could have flown me from La Grange to Las Angeles and back for $32,000 - on full ventilator and with the same two crew plus two pilots. A fact I just verified with a friend of mine in the charter business at Hobby Airport.

      Do be too quick to call people idiots ! You're the one who may best fit that title.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous9:08 AM

      One of the reasons healthcare is "expensive" is because of profiteering. The costs -- and the bills patients receive -- do not have to be as high as they are.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous4:21 AM

      doubt that 2.5 million will ever equal 6-8mil even with the bells and whistles
      highly trained crews- a pilot with a commercial license aka maybeeee 2000hrs and a fat flight nurse aka fat flight nurse.
      but I digress someone has to pay for all those secretaries and straphangars

      Delete
    5. A post on this thread that negates your claims quite effectively:

      "I have just recently become aware of these high-cost retail Air Ambulances that charge such ridiculous rates. Until now, I was only aware of our local (Austin) air ambulatory service, STARFlight, that charges about 10% of the cost everyone is quoting above. Their primary service area is Austin area and 19 counties surrounding it, but they also will fly further out of town for critical patients. They are owned by Travis County and highly-trained, their helicopter and clinical staff complete drills and everything to keep their skills sharp. But they are not for profit and do not charge the immense amount of mark-up the other companies do. Some people above mention that helicopters are expensive and staff are expensive etc. etc. and those exorbitant fees are necessary to keep those companies afloat. That is simply not true. STARFlight is able to maintiain their low rates and support Austin and the surrounding communities without going backrupt. The companies charging 10x are doing it because they can, out of greed, and if they do not have any other competition in the area, they are able to get away with it. I suggest everyone check to see if they have any county-owned services. Your due diligence could save you tens of thousands if ever needed."

      Delete
  9. Anonymous5:13 AM

    You're speaking out of pure ignorance. Why don't you investigate the costs of operating a helicopter EMS service- equipment, fuel, insurance, pilots, paramedics, nurses, 24 hours a day, seven days a week... I don't much care for AEL in particular for a variety of other reasons, but the amount charged is the industry standard (many services STILL lose money charging that amount).

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    1. Hello! The patients you're soaking for $45,000 per hour or less are not riding your plush copters for the purpose of paying the week-long operating expenses of an air ambulance service. Is one customer riding for one hour in a Jet Blue commercial plane supposed to pay a week's worth of Jet Blue airline operating costs at JFK?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6:22 PM

      Common sense please. The purpose of a helicopter ride is to be quick. If someone isn't there ready to go, then your ride wont be quick and you will die in an ambulance while in the middle of a 2 hour transport. A commercial plane isn't "on call" waiting for an emergency. You are just an arrogant person to not notice the differences. Buy the insurance plan. That's why it's there, just in case. And the helicopters arent "plush" as you say; they are very minimalistic as to adhere to weight guidelines regarding the pt and the crew.

      Delete
  10. I would love to owe $17,000 to an Air Evac Service...my dad was involved in an accident went to Americus ga hospital, they thought he was ok since he was talking to him. He hit a road paver, lifted the care off the ground, and deformed the steering wheel with him wearing a seat belt. He had a slow heart rate and was talking to them with slight breathing problems. Thinking of mechanism of injury, much like your van wreck, he should have been flown to the trauma hospital. He went to CT at Americus, was bleeding from his sub-clavian artery, and bleed out while the helicopter was on its way (3 hours later). If he was at the trauma hospital, he would have gone straight to surgery and would have been here to see his 10 month old grandson (only grandson of all granddaughters). Oh and the Funeral Cost over 10,000 (I guess we saved money there).

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    1. Now it's a lot more, Gary, and shows no signs of stopping. Whether or nor your dad would have benefited from an air ambulance isn't the issue. The issue is unbridled greed wrecking havoc with people who can't afford it.

      Try to get a little empathy, sir.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6:02 AM

      If you would have studied EMS, you would know trauma is a surgical disease. A surgeon could may well have treated this patient. Get your facts straight.

      Delete
  11. First, you do realize that Air Evac isnt the only Air Ambulance company out there correct? Go check the costs of those companies flight rates. Air Evac is not charging any more than the other companies.
    Secondly, if you want good, qualified people not only FLYING that helicopter, but GREAT Nurses and Paramedics on there caring for you, keeping you alive while you are en route to the trauma hospital, its gonna cost you. Or would you rather your life be in the care of the Lowest Bidder?
    Seriously, medical care is expensive, but so is the cost of flying. I guess it comes down to what value you put on your loved ones lives. Personally, Id be more than happy to cover that $17,000 bill if it meant my loved one got to LIVE.
    Maybe Obamacare will cover Air Ambulance charges now? Doesnt matter to me, Im smart enough to have a yearly membership to Air Evac. So If Im ever in an accident, Im covered.

    PS. My husband is a pilot for Air Evac and I can tell you he doesnt bring home loads of money. In fact, he took a pay cut when he retired from the Army flying Medevac to go work for Air Evac. He is gone 7 days a week working, sleeping, eating, breathing just waiting for someone to need him. I cant tell you how many times we've been approached my wives and husbands and mothers and fathers of people he's flown and whose lives he's helped save, who were so appreciative to HAVE to pay that amount....Because it meant someone they loved was STILL ALIVE.

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    1. Anonymous9:19 PM

      Nice try "Missy". I am a retired Air Ambulance pilot. And I can tell you that many people, if not most, do NOT need to be flown at all. And while you mention your poor husband "gone seven days working", why don't you tell the people that he then gets seven days off! Yep, a one week vacation every other week. I worked a 7/7 shift for years. It's great, but it doesn't justify destroying families financially to do it. And tell the people that he's making anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000 depending on seniority. Yep, there goes your pity from the working folks that he screws every week by flying the ones that don't need to be flown.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:04 PM

      Air Evac Life Team pilots start at $53,000.00 a year.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:09 PM

      Air Evac Life Team pilots start at $53,000.00 a year.

      Delete
    4. My husband also work for air evac 62,000 a year, do for his pay raise that he got every year,out of the blue they let him go come to find out they out source his job,oh and kept his PTO money.Never wrote up always there on call five days a week did whatever was asked.Oh air evac says they want there employees from the community it serves not true my husband is the perfect example.


      Delete
    5. Here is a post on this thread that blows your defense to smithereens, Missy:

      "I have just recently become aware of these high-cost retail Air Ambulances that charge such ridiculous rates. Until now, I was only aware of our local (Austin) air ambulatory service, STARFlight, that charges about 10% of the cost everyone is quoting above. Their primary service area is Austin area and 19 counties surrounding it, but they also will fly further out of town for critical patients. They are owned by Travis County and highly-trained, their helicopter and clinical staff complete drills and everything to keep their skills sharp. But they are not for profit and do not charge the immense amount of mark-up the other companies do. Some people above mention that helicopters are expensive and staff are expensive etc. etc. and those exorbitant fees are necessary to keep those companies afloat. That is simply not true. STARFlight is able to maintiain their low rates and support Austin and the surrounding communities without going backrupt. The companies charging 10x are doing it because they can, out of greed, and if they do not have any other competition in the area, they are able to get away with it. I suggest everyone check to see if they have any county-owned services. Your due diligence could save you tens of thousands if ever needed."

      Delete
  12. To Missy, and the Air Evac defenders who most likely work for Air Evac. Services cost a bundle, just like they do in ERs where patients get charged three thousand for a few stitches, and they use the same justifications: expensive support, materials, and btw, what is your life worth? Well, just keep raising the cost of material and profit to ever higher levels then continue to ask, What is your life worth? I suppose paying $100,000 per flight to Air Evac is worth it also, according to your logic, since that is better than being dead, right? Of course. Saddling people with enormous debts they can't pay is wrong, period. Let Air Evac get gov subsidies of some kind and eat the cost. Bankrupting people is a crappy way to do business, Mr. Potter.

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  13. Anonymous6:30 PM

    First off you are an idiot! If you want to play the blame game that helicopter was not just sitting there waiting of an accident to happen, someone called them, someone who thought they needed to be seen at a bigger hospital then was right there. I don’t hear you complaining about them. But since you get to post who you think should be here I’m sure this will never make it on. So do some research before you open your stupid report mouth and learn something, before you make asinine accusations you cannot support.

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    1. This kind of hateful diatribe only identifies you as one of the human abusers who financially destroy people's lives under the guise of providing assistance.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous5:29 AM

    My cost for 44 mile trip $34250.00
    yep thirty four thousand dollars.
    I requested to make the short trip by ground ambulance.. was overridden by doctor. So now what do I do ? at age 63 I may not be able to recover financially from this expense.
    Oh yes 9 days in a critical care unit and AAA major surgery..the full price paid 58,000. how can the ride to get there cost more than twice as much?
    dan friskel, oklahoma

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  15. Anonymous1:29 PM

    Air Evac is a scam! $26,000 would pay both of my kid's college off with money to spare. If Air Evac is paid over $7,000 (which is the maximum allowed by most insurances), patients should not be stuck paying the remaining $19,000! I believe Air Evac should go after the insurance companies to pay more...not stick it to their victims!
    From: An anonymous that does not work for Air Evac

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  16. Anonymous3:38 PM

    Okay my son who is 18 was in an accident where he was tboned in the drivers side door he bumped his head the medics sent him via life flight to Vanderbilt in Nashville he was alert talking and answering questions and told them several time not to fly him just take him the local er and I was as well the EMTs refused and flew him anyway we now have a $33,528.79 bill for literally a 10 min flight please tell me how this makes sense

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  17. Anonymous2:06 PM

    I have just recently become aware of these high-cost retail Air Ambulances that charge such ridiculous rates. Until now, I was only aware of our local (Austin) air ambulatory service, STARFlight, that charges about 10% of the cost everyone is quoting above. Their primary service area is Austin area and 19 counties surrounding it, but they also will fly further out of town for critical patients. They are owned by Travis County and highly-trained, their helicopter and clinical staff complete drills and everything to keep their skills sharp. But they are not for profit and do not charge the immense amount of mark-up the other companies do. Some people above mention that helicopters are expensive and staff are expensive etc. etc. and those exorbitant fees are necessary to keep those companies afloat. That is simply not true. STARFlight is able to maintiain their low rates and support Austin and the surrounding communities without going backrupt. The companies charging 10x are doing it because they can, out of greed, and if they do not have any other competition in the area, they are able to get away with it. I suggest everyone check to see if they have any county-owned services. Your due diligence could save you tens of thousands if ever needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:55 PM

      STARFlight is a government entity, part of Travis County EMS. As such, their operation is funded by taxpayer dollars. That is why they are able to charge so much less.

      Unfortunately most areas of the country do not have publicly funded air ambulance providers. So, hospital-based providers (like the above-mentioned Vanderbilt LifeFlight), and private providers like Air Evac Lifeteam (AEL) fill the need.

      I'm not a fan of AEL, but I am a flight nurse at a large NON-profit air ambulance provider. These services are extremely expensive to operate, and the quoted cost of $17,000 is below the industry average if anything.

      Delete
    2. Well, Anonymous flight nurse, they *are* extremely expensive to operate because they raise their prices every year, yes? What do they charge for a blood transfusion? $4000.00? etc. etc. etc.

      And $17,000 was back in 2008!

      Where will it end? The inflation is utterly absurd and greedy to the point of evil.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous8:59 PM

    I am a retired pilot with PHI Air Medical. I can tell you without a doubt that many people that we flew did NOT need to be flown. But when the flight nurse would tell them they should they would usually agree. the nurse then would have them sign a for called "Against Medical Advice" if they still refused to be flown. Just to add guilt to the issue for the patient. Why did we fly everyone we could?? MONEY! And yes, many families were devastated by the charges. And the company would usually take their homes, attach their wages, or whatever they could to collect the insane charges.
    This is an industry that should be put out of business. The government could do this easily, and spread the cost over the entire state to cover expenses. In California, if the highway patrol helicopter picks you up and takes you to the hospital...it's FREE. And they all carry a highly trained medic.

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    1. This is a wonderful post. Thank you!

      Delete
  19. This is really tremendous that the way you describe I'll really appreciated your work.hope i'll come back to get some more information .Thanks
    air ambulance company

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  20. I just had an 80 mile flight with Air Evac. My insurance was billed for almost 45k and was paid about 35K. I am now responsible for the remaining almost 10K. Charge was for round-trip. Retired and on a fixed income I cannot start to pay this amount. Asking $400 per month for 2 years.

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    1. Anonymous11:34 AM

      James, my aunt is paying them $25 a month on a $45,000 bill. You can negotiate anything that fits your budget. They'll take what they can get vs. getting nothing. I work in the insurance industry and have seen this many times. Tell them what you can pay and that's it.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous9:05 AM

    Got a $35K bill for a relatively straightforward helicopter evacuation. Blue Cross Blue Shield paid for about $22K. What a rip-off, and we get the short end of the stick. The helicopter evac company (Eagle Med, in this case) charges whatever they want. Blue Cross Blue Shield pays whatever they want (so much for being "insurance"), even though I am well over my deductible. I'm sure their lobbyists set this racket up.

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  22. My son was flown. He is also a college student. He now has 25k turned over to a collection agency because insurance only paid 7k. His credit ruined forever. The local air evac chopper can be seen every Friday parked by the local football field so the pilot can watch the game Who pays then fuel to get to the ball field? We need a class action suit

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  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. Anonymous11:08 AM

    I for one am glad to have Air-Evac in my rual community. It would take over an hour by ground to get to a trama center. I also know there are memberships offered to keep one from getting those extremely high bills. I'm a member and it costs less than a fancy cup of coffee a month to have this membership. It's hard to complain if there is options available us to not have a bill at all. I look at the membership as assurance not insurance. We all know insurance and Vegas was not born for winners!!! Member for life!

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  25. Anonymous7:19 AM

    We are being RIPPED OFF by air evac and I agree that we need acivil lawsuit against this greedy company that exploits the injured.

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  26. Anonymous6:31 PM

    Yes, they charge a lot. Just get a membership and relax. Think about all the needless crap and fast food most people buy every month. You can get a membership in replace of the needless crap. You never know, you might just need it one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really? And the price tag will drop from $45,000 per ride to?

      Delete
  27. Anonymous8:33 AM

    you people are stupid. Air Evac NEVER sues anyone that makes a reasonable attempt to pay their bill ($20 a month for example). this is just another example of people expecting someone else to bail them out for their responsibilities. GROW UP and accept that life owes you nothing! Air Evac didn't cause the accident or that your daughter be transported by them...

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    1. "Life owes you nothing," yes, but on the other hand, we will owe your air ambulance service for the rest of our lives? Bankruptcy, bill collectors, huge interest rates, property liens and ongoing emotional distress, and all for a half hour ride on a medical helicopter "worth" $45,000 or more?

      Delete
  28. Anonymous8:34 AM

    also... try being flown by Air Methods... their prices are even higher

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  29. 3/4 HOUR FLIGHT FROM EVANSVILLE TO NASHVILLE VANDERBILT $59,000.00 FOR MY SON WHO DIED 1 DAY LATER. THEY LOST MY SONS BILLFOLD FOR A WEEK. VANDERBILT WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT ME DUE TO THIS. WE DIDN'T FIND OUT UNTIL HE DIDN'T SHOW UP FOR WORK ON A MONDAY MORNING. THEY OR THE HOSPITAL MADE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT ME UNTIL IT CAME TO PAYING THE BILL WHERE THEY HARASSED MY ENTIRE FAMILY INCLUDING GROWN BROTHERS AND THERE WIVES AND EX WIVES. CAUGHT DOUBLE CHARGING FOR SERVICES. FILLED FOR THE FULL AMOUNT AGAINST THE ESTATE AND ALSO FILED AGAINST HIS HEALTH INSURANCE. VERY CROOKED COMPANY!!!

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    1. I wish I could take these bastards on. I am so sorry!

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  30. Anonymous1:17 PM

    We all need to get together find a attorney an file a civil lawsuit

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    1. Anonymous & anyone else with a helicopter horror story:

      My name is Troy Frederick and I am an attorney who is taking these companies on. I filed a class action law suit against Air Methods in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, case number 16-CV-02723, and would be very interested to hear your stories. Feel free to contact me at my office at (724) 349-5602.

      Delete
  31. You guys realize that the outrageous cost has to do with what a few people have already mentioned. It has to go toward the price of the helicopter, maintenance (you wouldn't believe the cost), insurance, the cost of training new pilots, fuel, the cost to pay administrators, secretaries, flight crew whether they are on a flight or not.

    Most of these costs exist whether the helicopter flies or not. Now consider the only source of income for the company is (you guessed it) acting as an ambulatory service. If these companies charged what most of you seem to 'feel' is a fair price, they would be out of business in short order.

    And to the author making the Jet Blue comparison: The answer to your question is absolutely. The price of fuel, payroll, ramp fees, peanuts on the flight, etc. has been figured into the price of every ticket. The difference? Jet blue sells thousands of tickets per week while Air Evac only sells a few. It should be obvious the ticket would cost more.

    I get it. Few things cost $17000. It seems like a ridiculous number, but once you start to assess the cost of the service.... not so ridiculous. If anyone should be on the carpet it should be the health insurance company.

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    1. Here we go again. If air ambulance companies were hanging on a shoestring due to costs they wouldn't be operating and they would not have grown 300% over the past seven years. They are in the business because pirating is extremely profitable. If Air Ambulance or anyone else has an office full of admins and a fleet of copters, etc. then they're making truckloads of money. Stop your whining!

      Like a hospital, the ambulance service self-assigns costs because it wants to make outrageous profits while pretending outrageous costs. They buy blood, e.g., at 1000 per unit and sell it at 10,000 per unit, then guys like you come here and say, "see, it costs 10,000 per unit! This proves how expensive it is to operate!"

      Yes, grossly expensive per flight because incremental cost increases year by year by year due to greedy profit-taking are never ending. As I said elsewhere, it will be up to $100,000 per flight in five more years and shills like you will be here saying the same thing!

      These businesses have no right to exist. A proper health care system for-the-people can provide good helicopters with trained medics and equipment for far far less because the insane profit motive is not there. We'd be paying 1500 per unit, not 10,000 per unit of blood.

      And certainly, more pirating in the form of double billing wouldn't exist.

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    2. And btw, James, this post from above rather blows your defense out of the water:

      "I have just recently become aware of these high-cost retail Air Ambulances that charge such ridiculous rates. Until now, I was only aware of our local (Austin) air ambulatory service, STARFlight, that charges about 10% of the cost everyone is quoting above. Their primary service area is Austin area and 19 counties surrounding it, but they also will fly further out of town for critical patients. They are owned by Travis County and highly-trained, their helicopter and clinical staff complete drills and everything to keep their skills sharp. But they are not for profit and do not charge the immense amount of mark-up the other companies do. Some people above mention that helicopters are expensive and staff are expensive etc. etc. and those exorbitant fees are necessary to keep those companies afloat. That is simply not true. STARFlight is able to maintiain their low rates and support Austin and the surrounding communities without going backrupt. The companies charging 10x are doing it because they can, out of greed, and if they do not have any other competition in the area, they are able to get away with it. I suggest everyone check to see if they have any county-owned services. Your due diligence could save you tens of thousands if ever needed."

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  32. A business needs to make money. But they should also be able to work with the people they serve. I've said before the industry needs more transparency, and uniformed costs. We don't do much in emergency situations, since all of our fleet are fixed wing. Most people we serve aren't in a rush, and that gives them more time to talk with us, their insurance and explore their options. Not everyone has that option. In many cases the victim of an accident doesn't even have the option to turn down the air ambulance flight. The hospital will go with the quicker option, regardless of cost. It would also be nice if insurance companies would step up and start offering better coverage for air ambulance services, especially for people in rural areas.

    Travel Care Air

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    1. A sober assessment, Ron, but keep in mind we're talking about excessively greedy companies without ethics. There needs to be strong government regulation. But if wishes were trees, trees would be falling.

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  33. Anonymous12:22 PM

    Why will Air Evac accept 9K from Medicare/Medicaid patients? Because the government knows they are gouging and that's all they'll pay, that's why. Why won't these companies join networks? Again, then they would have to be accountable and reasonable. I was taken 40 miles and charged 38K. I told the first responders twice with witnesses to please just drive me the hospital. I was taken to the waiting helicopter, loaded, handed a clipboard and told to sign so we could leave....my family got to the hospital the same time or maybe before I did. A few weeks later I got the bill for 38K. I have no evidence to back this but, Insurance people I've talked to suspect Air Evac, treats the first responder folks pretty good.

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  34. Anonymous12:38 PM

    Why are Medicare/Medicaid patients charged 9K? Because the government knows the Air flight companies way over charge, that's why. Why won't these companies join networks? Because the insurance companies would make them be accountable and reasonable. I had an ATV accident 7/4/16. When the first responders got there I told them twice I didn't want to be flown and please take me to the hospital 6 miles away. They took me to the waiting helicopter, I was loaded, handed a clipboard and told to sign so we could leave. My family traveled by car and got to the hospital the same time I did. Two weeks later we got a bill for 38K.

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  35. You are a fucking cuntwhore liberal that doesn't have a clue what you're talking about. Please. Do some damn research. I'm mean real research, not your pathetic google searches. It cost a shit ton of money to run a helipcopter, 24/7, with medical crew, training, equipment, etc. Anybody with a brain knows that. Why don't you jump back in Hillary's gaping maw and leave the rest of us intelligent folk alone to do the real thinking.

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    1. Thanks, Doc! You are the most persuasive yet. I take back everything I've said.

      FCL

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