Medical Charter?

Tram

Tram

Well-Known Member
Hey guys-

I've got a friend who has a sick family member. Very limited time left.

The family would like to fly said individual home. Reno to KMSL.

Anyone have any suggestions on who to talk to?

Thanks
 
Insurance provider first. If they turn you down or If you otherwise plan on being a self-pay, you may be able to negotiate with medevac providers. Be wary because it can still be very expensive. Look close to your area first, however if you aren't able to come to an agreement with a local provider, you can look to any provider in the U.S. and you would be very surprised at what operators will be willing to do and how far they are willing to go to pick up a patient.
 
Agreed that insurance should be asked first, then.....
@Tram does the sick family member NEED constant medical care or are they just sick with limited time? If they require constant medical attention or are bedridden, then it would be a medical flight and the above @gotWXdagain is dead on.

If the are just sick but don't REQUIRE constant care, are released by their doctor to travel, and are able to walk and sit up, you can charter at any number of charter companies (not necessarily a Medical Transport) for the flight. You can also have a nurse or other person travel with the sick person as a precaution. As far as the company is concerned it's just two passengers.
 
Is this person currently admitted to a hospital?
It doesn't seem like it's a "medical necessity" in that the patient isn't being moved to a higher level of care, but more of a convenience. The insurance might deny it on that basis.

I believe AirEvac Lifeteam is in the area of KMSL. Is this person a member? There is a sister company, in BHM I believe, that has jets, but insurance would be the kicker.
 
And between insurance and providers there is alot of politics. Insurance companies may only pay a percentage of the bill from the provider, sometimes a very low one. To compensate many providers send a ridiculously large bill to insurance knowing they will only get a percentage back, but that percentage will be enough to cover the cost and still make a profit. The rest is written off. However, your provider may deny it on the basis of A: Not medically necessary and B: The bill that they see from the provider. That being said it your rate you negotiate with a provider can be much cheaper than the rate they bill insurance.
 
It should be noted that with most medical charters, the patient is already in the care of a physician, and before the transport happens there must be a receiving physician on the other end. If your family member isn't currently in inpatient care under a physician, or if the physician grants a release, Angel Flight may be able to help you.
 
We do home to die flights a good bit, and it's covered by insurance to the best of my knowledge. Back hauls(wrong direction) they are otherwise called. Make sure insurance will cover it, but there there are about a billion companies now that do medevac.
 
Tram said:
The family member must have medical
care with him. He is not ambulatory.
Click to expand...

In that case I recommend, in this order:

1. Contact your insurance company to see if they would cover the cost and what their requirements are. If they give the go-ahead, then follow their process. IF, however, they will not cover the flight, proceed to step 2.

2. Shop for medical transport providers. If your family member is not currently in an ER or admitted in an inpatient facility, start with Angel Flight. If they are able to provide transport, you may stop here.

3. If angel flight is not an option, shop for air ambulance providers on your own. In most cases they can negotiate rates with you, if you explain to them that insurance won't cover the trip. As I said in a previous post, you will need to in most cases find a sending and receiving physician, but I would bet that wouldn't be too difficult in RNO, to find a doctor in one of the hospitals and explain to them what you want to do, they would probably at that point make most of the arrangements for you (although there may be fees associated).

Good luck.
 
deadstick said:
It doesn't seem like it's a "medical necessity" in that the patient isn't being moved to a higher level of care, but more of a convenience. The insurance might deny it on that basis.
Click to expand...

Has limited days left.

Wants to die at home.
 
I haven't heard back from the family as to what is going to happen. I'll touch base with them and see.
 
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