NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED!

MedFlight’s Position on Helicopter Memberships

These are important facts that should be considered before purchasing a medical helicopter membership.

As your regional provider of air medical helicopter transport for over a decade, in collaboration with other Not-for-Profit providers, we feel it is our obligation to inform the public of a recent, but unnecessary practice called, “Helicopter Memberships.”

Helicopter Service Payment Structures – What is the difference?

There are several types of medical helicopters that serve pre-hospital and hospital services.

Fee for Service: The patient’s insurance is billed only if a service is provided.  The patient is responsible for the co-pay, or any portion of the bill not covered by insurance.

Membership Programs: The public pays an annual fee whether or not the service is needed.  Even with memberships, the insurance is billed when the services are provided.

Before purchasing a helicopter membership, there are several important things one should know…

A helicopter membership does not guarantee you will be flown by that service. Factors that might prevent you from flying in your membership helicopter include:

• Weather not suitable for flight.

• Helicopter out-of-service for maintenance.

• Membership helicopter already committed to another flight.

• Patient weight is greater than the weight limits of the aircraft used by membership service.

• Membership helicopter may be responding from too far away to meet emergency needs of the patient.

• The clinical condition of the patient exceeds the capacity of the membership helicopter service. (For example, MedFlight has proficiencies in Balloon Pump Transports, while others may not?)

• For calls directly to the scene of the accident, local EMS agencies will request the most appropriate service.  They will not be aware of a patient’s membership status and should not delay medical care by being concerned whether the patient has a membership or not.

If another helicopter service transports you, your membership will not cover the cost of your transport!

• If one buys a membership, the insurance company will still be billed if flown by a membership service.

• Many insurance plans cover the cost of helicopter transport if the transport is considered medically necessary.

• One should check with your insurance company before purchasing a membership!

You DO NOT need a helicopter membership if you have Medicaid.  The cost of a medically necessary flight is covered.

Be well informed before purchasing a helicopter membership:

• Ask if the company is accredited.  Accreditation means that the company meets or exceeds national standards in safety, maintenance, patient care, as well as other important areas.  Review the CAMTS website at www.camts.org to see if the service is accredited.

• Be aware of the company’s safety record.  Conduct web searches to explore whether the company has a good safety record.

• Inquire about the training and skill level of the medical crew and aviation staff.  Programs can vary widely in the quality and experience of the flight training, as well as in the level of skill required by the staff.

• Ask if the service is aligned and governed by a hospital health system(s).  Reputable hospital governed services are held to a very high standard of safety and patient care.

MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR HEATH CARE, INCLUDING CRITICAL CARE HELICOPTER TRANSPORT, WILL IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF A GOOD OUTCOME IN THE EVENT OF A CRITICAL ILLNESS OR INJURY.

Additional resources regarding air medical transportation can be found at:

www.nomembershiprequired.net

www.medflight.com

www.camts.org

About MedFlight

MedFlight is Not-for-Profit air medical company consisting of both MICU and helicopter services that are out based throughout Ohio.  By requesting our services at 1-800-222-LIFE (5433) we pledge to provide the most appropriate mode of transport for you and your patient.  We work in collaboration with our air medical helicopter operator Omniflight, Inc., Dallas, Texas.  MedFlight is governed by a consortium of hospitals including The Ohio State University Hospitals, OhioHealth, and Akron General Medical Center; they also review our safety and clinical standards.  We are also the primary provider for Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus).  Furthermore, we will transport patients to other appropriate and accredited hospitals in the region.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss why MedFlight provides the best option for patient transportation.

MedFlight

2827 West Dublin Granville Road

Columbus, Ohio 43235

Dispatch: 800-222-LIFE (5433)

Business: 614-734-8001

www.medflight.com

    PATIENTS FIRST !

hOME

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