|
|
|
|
A question I received recently was triggered by an article in Bloomberg.com titled; Air Ambulances Are Flying More Patients Than Ever, and Leaving Massive Bills Behind.
Whether you suffer a serious medical or traumatic emergency at home or while traveling, the likelihood that you could be transported by air to a specialty center is increasing. You may also need to be transported home and an air ambulance may be necessary.
Per the Bloomberg report, there are more people flown by air ambulance and more for-profit air medical transportation companies than there were 30+ years ago. With the advent of specialty centers that treat anything from major trauma, burns, heart attacks, strokes, or pediatric-only hospitals, the frequency that patients have to be flown (think of the time it takes to get to the specialty center via an ambulance versus helicopter) to the destination increases.
Living in a remote portion of Greenville County, the Glassy Mountain Fire Service Area or Greenville County EMS will request transportation by an Air Transport Unit (ATU) if the patient's condition is critical and transportation by air would be beneficial to the patient. Although it can be expensive (between $15,000 and $40,000), when your life is on the line, EMS professionals want you to arrive at definitive treatment (I.e. the specialty center) as soon as possible. In cases of severe trauma, there is what we consider the "Golden Hour", the time from injury to the time you arrive at the trauma center. For a Myocardial Infarction (AKA Heart Attack) or Stroke, the longer a portion of the heart or brain is deprived of blood and oxygen the more likely permanent damage can set in, depriving the victim of a productive lifestyle or life itself. Your healthcare insurance may not cover a major portion of the bill, however, there is a relatively low-cost solution that covers the portion of the bill not covered by your health insurance company.
The AirMedCare Network, the mother company of Greenville Hospital's Med Trans, is one of the largest Air Medical Transportation companies in the United States. They have low-cost plans that cover the subscriber and any member of the household for an annual fee. They also have plans that cover transportation by fixed-wing aircraft to transport you home if you become ill or injured while on vacation and more than 250 miles from home. Plan rates are based on the length of membership (anywhere between 1 and 25 years), and there are some discounts for large groups and their members. For more information and rates please go to: AirMedCare Network and click on Join Today. A representative from GHS's Med Trans will also be happy to come out to your property or homeowners association, church group, etc. Please call (864) 236-0446.
Stay safe!
Robert Staples, MS, EFO, CFO
Fire Chief
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
