Category: General Health

Do Air Ambulance Service Companies Carry Insurance?

In today’s society, it seems that everyone is concerned about insurance and liability. No, this article is not focusing on health insurance coverage for services involving the transportation of a patient with an air ambulance. We are focusing here on liability insurance and malpractice insurance coverage that should be in place for each air ambulance.

Just like every motorist who drives a car should possess liability insurance, each air ambulance should carry liability coverage. An air ambulance should carry at least a minimum of $20 million in aircraft liability coverage. Of course, patients would never hope to need to worry about such coverage, but knowing that the air ambulance service carries this coverage can be reassuring and provide confidence for the client. Companies who carry the appropriate amount of coverage indicate their reputation.

Just like any doctor’s office or medical transport service that travels by ground, medical malpractice insurance coverage is essential. Patients and their families long to avoid the worries about a malpractice situation, but in reality, the risk does exist. For this reason, each air ambulance should have a minimum of $1 million policy for medical malpractice coverage. Again, no one wants to use such coverage, but knowing that an air ambulance company carries such excellent insurance, will help to ensure that the air ambulance service is reputable.

As you would feel uncomfortable traveling with a motorist who didn’t carry the appropriate insurance coverage, you would want to reconsider traveling with an air ambulance service who discards the need for liability insurance. Likewise, all good doctors carry malpractice insurance. Air ambulance companies should do the same.

As you compare companies that provide air ambulance services, you may want to consider checking in on the coverage amounts for both liability aircraft insurance and medical malpractice insurance. Air ambulance companies are not required to give out pertinent insurance information, but reputable companies will be happy to answer any and all of your questions about their insurance coverage and minimums. Some companies will provide a standard copy of information regarding liability and medical malpractice insurance coverage with the other paperwork that is involved with the processing information to request air ambulance service.

All reputable air ambulance companies and organizations have the best interest of the patient at heart. These air ambulance services will undoubtedly be eager to discuss and explain any questions or concerns you have in regards to their levels of liability and medical malpractice insurance. If the air ambulance company is unwilling to discuss this with the patient or the family, then it may be advisable to look to another company that will help to ease your concerns.

It is Important to find an air ambulance service that makes you feel the most at ease. During this time of medical necessity, stress can be high. Knowing that the patient is being transported by an air ambulance service that is responsible and carries excellent insurance coverage can provide insight into the type of organization it is. A reputable company will do their utmost best to provide assurance to everyone involved to create an environment of peace of mind for their clients.

Disadvantages of Using a Broker to Secure Air Ambulance Transportation

Disadvantages of Using a Broker to Secure Air Ambulance Transportation

If you or someone you love are in need of transportation via air ambulance, you may be confused about where to look to locate such a service. Frequently, patients and families will turn to a broker in order to secure air ambulance services. The use of a broker can help you to locate air ambulance services to meet the needs of the patient, but this is not always the best plan of action.

Using a broker to secure air ambulance travel for a patient can have many disadvantages. It can be wise to take the time to search for air ambulance service on your own whenever possible.

Since the broker is a middle man, he does not own the aircraft, fly the air ambulance, or staff the flight. The broker merely finds an appropriate air ambulance service at the lowest price available. Although this may sound like a great opportunity, it really is not a beneficial situation.

After the broker locates air ambulance transportation, he adds his fee to the final cost.

Using a broker does not ensure a higher level of quality for the patient. In fact, they have no system to analyze quality control for patient care. Dealing directly with the air ambulance service company, the patient can receive the best rate for the service.

Going through a broker to locate air ambulance services will tie your hands and leave the patient unable to deal directly with the service provider. On the other hand, patients who forego the broker can contact the air ambulance service provider directly. This allows the opportunity to discuss any personal questions or concerns. During this stressful time, patients and their families need reassurance. Direct contact between you and the air ambulance company can be very comforting and provide much needed peace of mind about the quality service and medical treatment the patient will receive.

Using a broker to secure adequate air ambulance transportation services is much like using a broker to locate the perfect child care provider for your children. Regardless of the excellent reputation of the service provider, it is important and crucial to have trust and confidence in the service provider for the best results. Yes, the broker will find appropriate services, but will everyone feel confident about the broker’s decision? Making the decision for the best air ambulance service provider through your own resources will add a sense of comfort and assurance.

If the circumstances arise that you or a family member require the services of transportation by air ambulance, you may want to skip the services from a broker and do the legwork yourself. There are several advantages to locating the air ambulance service on your own. Without the use of a broker, direct contact between you and the service provider is useful to answer any questions that may arise.

A sense of confidence arises with the patient and the family during this interaction. Also, dealing directly with the air ambulance service provider can create an opportunity to receive the highest quality service at a great value. Going through a broker merely marks up the cost of such services.

Consider Safety First When Choosing an Air Ambulance

Times of stress often leave people feeling drained and unable to think clearly. When you or a loved one are suffering from medical conditions, stress levels are high. It is important to think of safety first when deciding on which air ambulance company to use. Here are some suggestions to help you put safety first in the decision.

Don’t let the stress and circumstances cloud your mind. Research the air ambulance service thoroughly before making the decision to use their services. Learn about the company and their history. Find out what certifications the pilot and flight crew must possess. Do the pilot and other crew members meet all FAA requirements and certifications? Is the pilot required to have flight-simulator training? If so, how often.

Some companies will permit only a single pilot to fly the aircraft. Although this is not deemed unsafe, it is a good idea to fly with an air ambulance service that offers two pilots in the cockpit.

Inexperienced pilots may not have the hours and background to safely transport patients on a medical mission. Locate an air ambulance company that uses pilots solely dedicated to medical missions that require numerous hours of flight time.

Ask about the company’s safety record. Although most companies who offer air ambulance services have excellent safety records, you can never be so sure. Find out for yourself. Do your homework to make sure the company follows the strictest guidelines in the industry.

Find out if the air ambulance company is a member of CAMTS. This means that the company is certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services. Membership varies throughout the industry, but with no federal standards in place, it is a way to be certain that minimum competency and safety standards are being met. To receive certification, the company commits to being evaluated on educational standards, safety, equipment, staffing, maintenance,
Communication, and administration.

When considering an air ambulance transportation service, find out if the company employs a medical director. This person should be a licensed physician trained in all the areas of critical care and emergency treatment. This person should be available for consultation during a transport if questions should arise. Also, to encourage quality control, this individual will review the circumstances of the transport to ensure that all medical protocols were followed correctly.

This person oversees the training of medical staff and is responsible for the actions of the medical team during the transport. A company with such a person on staff has a lot at stake, so quality and standards will be high in such a case.

How many medical professionals accompany the patient during transport? In many situations, an air ambulance service may only send out one medically trained person on each flight. In some instances, this is safe for patients, but if an emergency should occur, it is best to have a minimum of two medically trained personnel on hand to completely handle the emergency situation. The trained staff should have experience in emergency treatment and critical care. In specialized cases, more members should accompany a patient and the number of the team increases. This is true in cases that require a respiratory therapist, for example.

Investigating air ambulance services may seem overwhelming at the time, but knowing that the patient’s needs should come first is important. Safety of the patient is evident in companies that strive for excellence. Check out the air ambulance company and their safety record for an indication of the company’s quality and level of experience before making the final decision.

Children Tour Air Ambulance Helicopter

We have all seen and heard the choppers overhead. The familiar sight and sound tells us that the air ambulance helicopter is heading off on another medical mission. Each time the air ambulance flies by, everyone’s curiosity is peaked. Both children and adults will stare and stretch their necks to snag a glimpse of the air ambulance. There is just something exciting about an air ambulance that consumes us and nabs our attention.

Young children, in particular, have an interest in things like a fire truck or police car. Imagine their excitement when they can take a closer look at an air ambulance. The kids will wander up and stare wide-eyed at the bird. The mere size of the chopper up close is amazing to the youngsters.

Many communities have made arrangements for the local air ambulance helicopter to be on display at community events and safety expos. Children and adults alike peer inside this marvelous machine for a glance at the medical wonder. This rare opportunity is not only educational, but memorable, for the children as well.

It is sad, but true that more and more people need the service of an air ambulance. This unique opportunity to experience the air ambulance up close is not only interesting and educational, but helps to inform children about the benefits of being careful and practicing excellent safety habits. It is wise to use the tour of the air ambulance as an opening to communication about health and safety messages.

The experience of touring an air ambulance may also allow the opportunity for the children to meet the flight crew and medical staff. Getting to know community heroes is an excellent experience for children. Teachers can use this opportunity for children to write a letter to the crew or other heroes in the local community. Older children may find the experience intriguing and be interested in learning more about volunteering or becoming an EMT. Grasping a child’s natural curiosity could lead to a career in the medical field or as a pilot in the years to come.

If your community has not set up an opportunity to tour an air ambulance, then consider checking into this as a project through school, Scouts, or other organizations.

For older children, it may be possible to schedule a chance to ride in the air ambulance as an observer. High school students interested in a medical career may relish the opportunity to job shadow in this position.

Tap into children’s interests to educate by touring an air ambulance helicopter. Utilize the experience to meet the requirements for a safety demonstration, health badge or project, or simply for fun. Children of all ages seem to be intrigued about this marvelous medical machine.

Touring and examining an air ambulance may inspire youngsters to peruse a career in the medical field. Speaking directly with the flight crew and medical staff can help children to realize their own potential to help others. There are numerous benefits to children who take advantage of the opportunity to tour an air ambulance.