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Does anyone on Medicare know anything about MedFlight coverage if you need to be airlifted to a higher level of care (like in a rural area). I have already posted on the insurance forum but thought someone here might know also. Thanks in advance.
Does anyone on Medicare know anything about MedFlight coverage if you need to be airlifted to a higher level of care (like in a rural area). I have already posted on the insurance forum but thought someone here might know also. Thanks in advance.
Are the doctors saying that the patient must be moved, or is the family requesting this? If the doctors are saying it is necessary, you have a chance. Has anyone tried calling Medicare to ask? Usually the air ambulance companies are very familiar with coverage criteria.
In general, insurance (including Medicare) will not pay for a MED-flight if "similar" care can be obtained locally. We had to pay for my father's air ambulance out of pocket. We tried to appeal to his insurance company, but they denied it.
I would suggest talking with someone with EMS once you move to Ridgway. Ruth Stewart lives near you so talk to her or stop by the fire station. I've only known CareFlight to be called a few times, mostly for serious traffic accident victims or people that mountain rescue has to get.
I would suggest talking with someone with EMS once you move to Ridgway. Ruth Stewart lives near you so talk to her or stop by the fire station. I've only known CareFlight to be called a few times, mostly for serious traffic accident victims or people that mountain rescue has to get.
Thank you. I had no idea how it worked, but know that it is only in case of major emergency where no equivalent care can be had locally.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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If you are serviced by a single medivac provider you can usually buy a lifetime membership, (~$1000) BUT... the attending EMS makes the call on your type of required transport, based on your condition. They can't call / tie-up medivac resources if you can medically be transported via camel. I know of instances where medicaid recipients were medivaced, but not sure the level of reimbursement .
If you are serviced by a single medivac provider you can usually buy a lifetime membership, (~$1000) BUT... the attending EMS makes the call on your type of required transport, based on your condition. They can't call / tie-up medivac resources if you can medically be transported via camel. I know of instances where medicaid recipients were medivaced, but not sure the level of reimbursement .
Our mediflight service is $50 a year. That’s for both of us. It’s the call of the medical provider. Mrs5150 was transported from the emergency room to a higher level hospital 50 miles away via helicopter when she had her heart issue a few years ago.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Thx 5150, I had forgot about the annual rates (I only did the LT for entire family, since kids were in same service region but not at home)
Our annual is $65 and covers 4 states.
I see BDL's proposed area may be covered by 6 state region Classic medical transport (out of UT) $60/ yr individual... But... they require you to carry medical insurance (that leaves me out till I'm age 65) http://www.classicairmedical.com/membership-page-2/
Colorado does appear to have 3 providers, but I don't know their overlap.
Medicare may pay for emergency ambulance transportation in an airplane or helicopter if your health condition requires immediate and rapid ambulance transportation that ground transportation can’t provide, and one of these applies:
Your pickup location can't be easily reached by ground transportation.
Long distances or other obstacles, like heavy traffic, could stop you from getting care quickly if you traveled by ground ambulance.
Thank you. I had no idea how it worked, but know that it is only in case of major emergency where no equivalent care can be had locally.
I don't remember the requirements for medical but I do recall that entrapment expected to be more than 30 minutes would bring Hershey Med Flight on scene. All the patients I loaded were trauma cases.
As far as payment, I have no information on that. You should certainly sign up as a member of your local ambulance, volunteer or paid.
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