Air ambulances seem rather expensive and may not be covered by the insurance offered by most service providers. However, there are still low-cost air ambulances that are affordable and reliable for medical air transport. The following are factors that determine the cost of air ambulances.
The distance to be covered is taken into consideration when calculating the cost of an air ambulance. The fuel exhausted is greater for long distances. Also, the medical team wages are included before the overall cost is generated. This is because they are usually paid on an hourly basis. Sometimes, the aircraft might be farther from the pickup location. This is also considered when estimating the fuel usage for the journey.
Some patients prefer travelling to their home country for medical treatment than the nearest medical institution. Long-distance air travel of this kind requires skilled healthcare professionals and specialized equipment since a medical emergency may arise on board the plane. Consequently, the price will be slated at a higher value due to these additional requirements.
The cost of an air ambulance also depends on the number of medical personnel escorting the patient. Similarly, some medical air travel requires a specialist healthcare practitioner to accompany the patient.
In such circumstances, the cost is increased. The same price increase also applies when some special medical equipment is installed in the aircraft.
The type of aircraft used is determined by the number of medical professionals accompanying the patient and the medical equipment that would cater to the patient’s needs. Keeping this in mind, the price of medical air transport varies depending on the type of aircraft used. Low-cost air ambulances are usually fixed propeller aircraft.
Air ambulance companies offer various services depending on the patient’s need. Some patients might need ground transportation or bed-to-bed services. Before patronizing a firm offering air ambulance services, you should inquire whether the desired services are included in the contract.
Likewise, you should also ask if the services could be tailored to meet your needs, especially when the services are not exactly as you want them. Additionally, the type of extra services offered would also determine the air ambulance service charges.
Conclusion
The cost of an air ambulance depends on the distance to be covered, the type of aircraft used, the regulations and procedures, the services offered, the number of medical professionals escorting the patient, and the medical equipment onboard the aircraft. Although these factors can directly affect an air ambulance’s price, there are still several low-cost air ambulance options, depending mainly on need, function, and preference.
Non-Emergency Medical Transport (NEMT) and How it Works
We all need medical attention from time to time. But sometimes, transporting ourselves or loved ones for medical appointments might present some challenges. In some cases, the medical condition isn’t life-threatening, which means the patient can take their time to get therapy.
Non-emergency medical transport is a type of medical transport service suitable for patients who aren’t in immediate need of medical attention but still need professional help getting to a doctor.
Why NEMT?
Some medical conditions require professional medical transport service, especially if the journey is a long one. That’s the aim of specialized medical transportation facilities, geared with a wide range of equipment and professionals onboard to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.
The Nature and Benefits of NEMT
Non-emergency medical transport services occur via ground or air, depending on availability and the amount the patient or their friends and family are willing to pay. When there is no need for immediate medical attention, the journey can take several hours. However, there are short medical journeys that require professional care by both drivers and medical personnel. The drivers of medical transport vehicles train in defensive driving.
These vehicles and air ambulances typically have large room space and several beds, and luxury seats for both patients and loved ones. The beds usually have safety systems for patients who need help staying in bed. There are also facilities for wheelchair patients or those on stretchers or other special equipment.
Predictably, medical transport services will always cost more than boarding a public bus or commercial plane. However, the gains of being transported safely and conveniently, especially through long distances, can’t be overemphasized.
Understandably, some people may not be able to afford to pay for this service out-of-pocket. Many use their medical insurance to pay for medical transport.
Studies show a strong correlation between less effective healthcare and distances to healthcare providers. What this means is, communities near medical facilities ultimately enjoy better health outcomes. Those farther from healthcare providers often struggle with transportation costs and even inadequate or unreliable transportation services. The bottom line is communities with better medical transport infrastructure benefit from overall improved health status and may even pay less.
Non-emergency medical transport services have been around for a long time and are critical to a community’s wellbeing. It is even more critical in this era of covid-19, where boarding public buses or planes have become increasingly difficult. And with Medicaid coverage, the burden of cost drops significantly, despite proving many benefits.
When to Use State to State Medical Transport Services
When a person requires specialized care or treatment at a distant medical facility, a state to state medical transport service is often the ideal transport method. Most interstate medical transport services have the right kind of medical vehicle and personnel on board to safely and conveniently transport a patient over a long distance.
Why are Medical Transport Services Necessary?
Private and commercial transport services are rarely equipped with the right type of medical equipment or personnel needed to transport a bedridden or sick patient over long distances safely. Specialized long-distance medical transport services have retrofitted vehicles with beds, life-saving medical equipment and trained medical personnel to accompany the patient and administer emergency or routine care if needed.
What Are Some Features of a Long-Distance Medical Transport Service?
Some medical transport services offer in-flight services to patients and their families. Depending on the financial ability and preferred mode of transportation, there will be a need to discuss with the medical transport company beforehand. This is important to ensure that an accurate quote of the service needed is given and the best mode of transport is determined for the sick person.
Some medical transport services will also offer a bed-to-bed medical transport service. Here, the patient is picked up from their bed at a facility or from their home and is delivered directly to a bed in the receiving facility. This arrangement offers the least inconvenience to the patient and guarantees that they will always be looked after from pickup to drop off.
Transporting a patient over a long distance requires more than just a convenient transport method. It will also involve medical care while in transit and special arrangements to ensure the patient’s convenience and safety throughout the long trip. There are several modes of state to state medical transport service. Air ambulance, commercial airlines and medical vehicles are some common methods. However, each patient’s ideal mode of transport will be determined primarily by a combination of factors including budget, medical condition/state, priority, and preference.
What to Know About Long Distance Medical Transport
Sometimes people need to travel to or from a health facility or home despite health challenges due to age or illness. And it may be necessary they have medical care during the journey and be transported as gently as the condition requires. Using general commercial transport is usually not a suitable option. Hence, the rise of long distance medical transport.
What Kind of Medical Transport is it?
This is a non-emergency service for transporting patients over long distances to or from rehabilitation centers, retirement centers, nursing homes, assisted living, and even private residences. A trip is considered long-distance if it exceeds 200 miles.
The primary purpose of this specialized transport systems is to ensure that patients get medical attention during travel, are comfortable, and arrive safely. This kind of transport also differs from a traditional ambulance in that it is only for non-emergency situations, in addition to the myriad of comfort appliances included. Most such vehicles would have large room space for accompanying family members to also travel with ease.
What differentiates this kind of medical transport from an ambulance or regular transport is that the transport facilities are typically outfitted with lay-flat mattresses and other comfort and safety equipment. The beds can come in different sizes equipped with tri-belt safety systems to support patients who need help staying in bed. It’s also common to have a private bathroom, TV set, mini-fridge, and other amenities on a medical transport vehicle.
Which People Use Long Distance Medical Transport?
These are just some people who may need this kind of medical transportation. It’s not limited to these only. If for any reason you cannot travel long distances but really need to travel, then your best option would be to use one of these specialized transportation services. Common health conditions that often warrant such specialized transportation includes but is not limited to patients with cancer, dementia, stabilized bone fracture, post-operation, and others.
A medically assisted transport is critical for patients who may need medical attention during their journey. There are usually medical personnel onboard the vehicle or plane whose services come handy in times of emergency. Some vehicles and planes would have special medical equipment, like a place to restore motorized wheelchairs, oxygen setup, etc.
Sometimes patients are pretty nervous about moving long distances alone or without the company of a medical expert. Knowing that they are travelling in a comfortable facility and will be taken care of in times of emergency helps reassure the patient and families.
The drivers of medical transport vehicles are professionally licensed for defensive driving, and they regularly update their licenses. Medical transport companies are usually prepared for any possibility of a vehicle breakdown. It is rare for medical transport vehicles to break down due to the strict maintenance policies such companies adopt, like servicing vehicles after each trip and replacing vehicles after reaching certain milestones.
Depending on how much money you are willing to spend, there are three popular options for air and ground medical transport. Air ambulance is the most expensive. But that’s not the only way to transport patients by air. Most medical transport companies can make air travel arrangements via commercial airliners, and even provide a flight nurse where necessary.
Land transport is the cheapest, but it takes longer and may provide less comfort. Due to the immense benefits of long distance medical transport, which mainly resides in safety and comfort, it is the best option for those whose conditions warrant it.
Depending on your needs and mobility, there are various forms of medical transport services that allow patients to save time and money while ensuring that they reach their destination with utmost comfort and ease. Below are some different types of medical transportation:
Whether you are traveling to the other end of the earth, three states away medical transport services are incredibly useful for safely and speedily transporting patients from one point to another.
ACC Medlink is committed to the safety and health of all our patients and crew. Given the coronavirus’s unfortunate spread, we recognize the need for extra vigilance and care for the safety and well-being of our patients and staff. We continuously adapt and review our Covid-19 policy and procedures according to the latest government guidelines.
We go above the CDC guidelines and sterilize all equipment including our transport vans with approved chemicals and UV Light.
CLEANING AND DISINFECTANT PROCEDURE
OUR STAFF
OUR PATIENTS
ACC Medlink has more safe miles driven than any Long Distance Medical Transport service. We will always work to that high standard and look forward to safely and conveniently transporting patients through our wide range of medical transportation services safely and Covid free.
ACC Medlink is proud to announce the addition of a new line of elite medical sprinter vans to our long distance medical transport fleet. This addition will allow ACC Medlink to continue to provide superior service and outstanding care for those in need of medical transport out of state. Our limo-style med sprinters are stationed in strategic areas throughout the Midwest region of the United States. This enables ACC Medlink to respond rapidly to any of your needs for Midwest medical transport.
These elite medical transport vans are designed for comfort and luxury, they are spacious enough for family members to travel along, and even pets. The luxurious leather captains’ chairs and 8” memory foam mattress provides ultimate relaxation for your long-distance trip. The vehicles are also equipped with wi-fi and TV/DVD player to keep you entertained.
ACC Medlink™ offers new vehicles which are staffed with an experienced, professional, and compassionate medical team who value nothing more than patient care and safety. ACC Medlink provides two drivers per trip that rotate shifts to transport you to your destination quickly and safely. ACC Medlink’s customized Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Vans offer the longest list of safety technology in the class.
If you or a loved one is in need of interstate medical transportation, then please contact one of our transport specialists at (800) 550-1025 to arrange your trip or request a quote online.
ACC Medlink is authorized to conduct interstate passenger transportation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration which mandates specific levels of insurance coverage, as well as, complicity with other Federal requirements. ACC Medlink is in full compliance with these standards and insurance requirements. Any and all entities conducting interstate passenger transportation must be registered as a Federal Motor Carrier.
Before contacting an air ambulance provider, the person should consult with their medical team to determine where the best possible care can be obtained. Aside from the necessary medical paperwork, the individual should make sure their passport is current and start the application process for any required visas well before the trip. Having all the documents in one place will help both the person and the air ambulance provider avoid any difficulties along the way.
The purpose of an air ambulance is to transport a person from one place to another. While some providers will arrange ground transport
for both the originating and the destination airports, the individual must ensure that this service will be available.
The goal is to have a comfortable, seamless experience with all medical needs met from start to finish.
© 2021 ACC Medlink | Nationwide Medical Transportation | Privacy Policy | Legal | Sitemap
©2021 ACC Medlink
Nationwide Medical Transportation | Privacy Policy | Legal | Sitemap
