National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has recently issued an alert with regards to air ambulance insurance coverage. The alert goes on to point out that more and more people are getting buried under the air ambulance cost burden when insurance providers fail to cover the costs. It estimates that an average air ambulance flight is about 52 miles and the costs can vary between 12 to 15 thousand dollars and in some cases can exceed 100,000 dollars.
Why is Air Ambulance Transport so Expensive?
People often wonder why air ambulance transport is so expensive. One of the reasons is, unlike countries such as UK where air ambulances are usually run by charities, in the US, these are mostly run commercial operators. The initial cost of an air ambulance itself is a whopping 6 million dollars on average. The companies obviously want to cover the cost quicker. When you add the cost of medical supplies, aircraft maintenance, and air ambulance specialists, the amount goes even higher.
Getting to Know Your Air Ambulance Transport Coverage is Vital
For one, international air ambulance services are not covered by Medicare. It is almost impossible to negotiate the rates when medical experts suggest that air ambulance services are a must for patient survival. However, it is wise to know some things beforehand. Learn about the air ambulance service providers that your insurance covers. Know that there is a cost attached when a family member or members accompany the patient. Also some policies only cover certain types of aircrafts.
Simple Steps to Ensure Adequate Air Ambulance Transport Coverage
The best time to think about air ambulance transport coverage is now, when you have no medical emergency. Read your health insurance policy closely and find out about the coverage that it provides. If your insurance company has provisions for extra coverage, pay an additional amount to get such facilities. If your insurance company fails to offer you adequate air ambulance transport coverage, it is wise to look for another company that does. In the end, you don’t want to get into a financial obligation that you cannot carry.
