Reno vs. Anchorage (Homer: live, costs, transportation)

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Lampert

Move to WV, population peaked in the 50s. You can rest assured the decline is going to keep going.

Those are good reasons, but in my view what keeps a lot of people out is the high cost of living. For example, medical service alone in Alaska is one of the most expensive in the entire nation, and often not available near you. My wife was telling me about one of her coworkers who's son had to be flown from Fairbanks on an emergency to a hospital in Anchorage. Can you imagine how expensive it would be to "medivac" someone from Fairbanks to Seattle, or even from a remote village to Anchorage?

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

For example, medical service alone in Alaska is one of the most expensive in the entire nation, and often not available near you. My wife was telling me about one of her coworkers who's son had to be flown from Fairbanks on an emergency to a hospital in Anchorage. Can you imagine how expensive it would be to "medivac" someone from Fairbanks to Seattle, or even from a remote village to Anchorage?

While I don't have the exact figures now, seem to recall the cost of my medically monitored evac from Homer to Anchorage being about $12K! That's only about 220 miles distance (depending on weather, about 30 minutes) folks. One good reason to carry supplemental medical transport insurance up here. It covered just about all of it. Cheap at $45 per year.

[ejisme]

I think you guys scared OP away.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by ejisme

I think you guys scared OP away.

Sometimes, that isn't a bad thing. It could prevent a fiasco.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Parnassia

While I don't have the exact figures now, seem to recall the cost of my medically monitored evac from Homer to Anchorage being about $12K! That's only about 220 miles distance (depending on weather, about 30 minutes) folks. One good reason to carry supplemental medical transport insurance up here. It covered just about all of it. Cheap at $45 per year.

I would think that $12K would be an average price. It could easily take 12 times $12K from Fairbanks to Seattle. But I believe that the insurance costs a little over $100.00 per year. Yes, it's not a bad idea to buy a medevac insurance. Both "medivac" and "medevac" terms are correct, I guess (I found both in an online dictionary).

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

I would think that $12K would be an average price. It could easily take 12 times $12K from Fairbanks to Seattle. But I believe that the insurance costs a little over $100.00 per year. Yes, it's not a bad idea to buy a medevac insurance. Both "medivac" and "medevac" terms are correct, I guess (I found both in an online dictionary).

The service I used is LifeMed Alaska. My annual membership may have started at $45 years ago. Now it's $49.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Parnassia

The service I used is LifeMed Alaska. My annual membership may have started at $45 years ago. Now it's $49.

That's a pretty good deal!

[Northrick]

Originally Posted by Parnassia

The service I used is LifeMed Alaska. My annual membership may have started at $45 years ago. Now it's $49.

Originally Posted by RayinAK

That's a pretty good deal!

I have that too. You have to already have medical insurance. Basically the $49 means they will take what the your insurance company offers for the transport and won't come after you for extra.


I've read about cases in the lower 48 where someone was in a bad car accident and responders call for a helicopter medivac on behalf of the patient. Later the patient gets a bill for $20K or even $40K even though the actual cost to the medivac service was far less.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Northrick

I have that too. You have to already have medical insurance. Basically the $49 means they will take what the your insurance company offers for the transport and won't come after you for extra.


I've read about cases in the lower 48 where someone was in a bad car accident and responders call for a helicopter medivac on behalf of the patient. Later the patient gets a bill for $20K or even $40K even though the actual cost to the medivac service was far less.

Thanks for the details. I will have to look into my health insurance relating to medivac, just in case.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Thanks for the details. I will have to look into my health insurance relating to medivac, just in case.

Clarify what it will or won't cover in an emergency. For example: my insurance doesn't reimburse transport for non-emergency healthcare but it does pick up some of emergency transport (ambulance, etc). Just not all of it. I've always lived in the bush up here so bought this coverage years ago. While I don't consider Homer the bush as it has a hospital, they don't have all specialties in residence. The uncovered deductible/co-pay from a medevac flight, which may be the only option up here if you need care your local facility can't provide, is going to be a lot higher than $49!