G5052 Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Don't get me wrong. I'm very thankful for the crew that airlifted my husband earlier this month. He went into cardiac arrest in the helicopter, and they brought him back. They also diverted to a hospital five minutes closer because they thought he wouldn't make it going to a larger multi-state trauma center. That was completely the right decision. He had excellent care at the other hospital. But the first "run" of the bill was $36,000 for that helicopter. DH called both insurance and the company yesterday, and they're "working" on it. Thankfully our insurance has that benefit. No doubt it was justified. My heart skipped a beat though. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Don't get me wrong. I'm very thankful for the crew that airlifted my husband earlier this month. He went into cardiac arrest in the helicopter, and they brought him back. They also diverted to a hospital five minutes closer because they thought he wouldn't make it going to a larger multi-state trauma center. That was completely the right decision. He had excellent care at the other hospital. But the first "run" of the bill was $36,000 for that helicopter. DH called both insurance and the company yesterday, and they're "working" on it. Thankfully our insurance has that benefit. No doubt it was justified. My heart skipped a beat though. Wow, that is just crazy. I must have missed that part of the story----about a heart attack in the helicopter. Glad they were able to save him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) That isn't your part is it? I'd be stuffing that bill in the mail rack and ignoring it. Bills in a health crisis are insult on injury. Edited March 21, 2017 by Barb_ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 THIS is EXACTLY why we signed up for "helicopter insurance" a couple weeks ago. We live so far away from the nearest ER that, heaven forbid, if something serious were to happen we'd need to be medevac'ed --- and it ain't cheap! I hope your insurance gets this straightened out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) So glad your dh survived. The fee sounds crazy, but probably that's just the cost. Sorry you had to even see that. It should have gone straight to the insurance, IMO. It's just not the kind of thing you and your dh should have to worry about right now. Edited March 21, 2017 by wintermom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 :grouphug: Glad he survived and hope all works out with the bill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny_Weatherwax Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 :grouphug: I hope it works out and the insurance pays all or most of it. I'm glad your DH is doing better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicMom Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 The worst part is most air ambulances actually operate at a loss and utilize fundraisers, at least the ones here. When my step grandmother died, she had been airlifted to a specialty hospital approximately 17 miles away. The cost before insurance was close to $48,000. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 My dad used to like looking at my mom's many cancer bills, as it made him glad for their great insurance. I hope yours pays all of this bill. I am thankful that we have this service; not every place even in North America does. It saved the life of my friend, a young mom who was indigent and uninsured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Switzerland is really big on helicopter insurance. Something like 80+% of the population purchases it! I hope you get that bill sorted out!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I am so glad he is ok. I hope it all get sorted out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) So glad your dh survived. The fee sounds crazy, but probably that's just the cost. Sorry you had to even see that. It should have gone straight to the insurance, IMO. It's just not the kind of thing you and your dh should have to worry about right now. Thankfully he already has a "care manager" with the insurance company because of the volume of bills he has. He talked to her yesterday and said she'd watch for the helicopter claim. He also called yesterday on a $3,000+ ER visit that we had less than a week before the helicopter. They said that they'd pay zero on the statement we got. The insurance system runs on just the first code, and it was a multi-code ER visit. She switched the codes, and our out-of-pocket dropped to 10%. He's so very much better now and is running all of this down himself. Edited March 21, 2017 by G5052 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I am so glad you guys are on top of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 THIS is EXACTLY why we signed up for "helicopter insurance" a couple weeks ago. We live so far away from the nearest ER that, heaven forbid, if something serious were to happen we'd need to be medevac'ed --- and it ain't cheap! I hope your insurance gets this straightened out! What insurance did you end up buying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 What insurance did you end up buying? We bought into AirMedCare network. Apparently it is what people around here use, and is the one the local EMS center recommends. http://www.airmedcarenetwork.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 We bought into AirMedCare network. Apparently it is what people around here use, and is the one the local EMS center recommends. http://www.airmedcarenetwork.com/ Hm, not available in my state. Can't find anything comparable either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Thankfully he already has a "care manager" with the insurance company because of the volume of bills he has. He talked to her yesterday and said she'd watch for the helicopter claim. He also called yesterday on a $3,000+ ER visit that we had less than a week before the helicopter. They said that they'd pay zero on the statement we got. The insurance system runs on just the first code, and it was a multi-code ER visit. She switched the codes, and our out-of-pocket dropped to 10%. He's so very much better now and is running all of this down himself. While I'm not happy that all of this is happening to your family, I'm so glad to hear how much better he's doing now that he's receiving care. That's wonderful news :grouphug: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 So glad your husband survived all of that! Wow. I always assumed helicopter/ambulance insurance was included in most private insurance policies. Our was when we needed both of those services. We live in a small rural town, about 130 miles away from a major trauma center, and we hear the medical helicopter flying overhead several days/week. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 holy flipping... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Yup! We have had scouts airlifted for various reasons, and the sticker shock is horrible. I think one family is still fighting insurance 2 years later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 The worst part is most air ambulances actually operate at a loss and utilize fundraisers, at least the ones here. When my step grandmother died, she had been airlifted to a specialty hospital approximately 17 miles away. The cost before insurance was close to $48,000. I know. They're not being exorbitant, it's just an incredibly expensive service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 :ohmy: Don't get me wrong. I'm very thankful for the crew that airlifted my husband earlier this month. He went into cardiac arrest in the helicopter, and they brought him back. They also diverted to a hospital five minutes closer because they thought he wouldn't make it going to a larger multi-state trauma center. That was completely the right decision. He had excellent care at the other hospital. But the first "run" of the bill was $36,000 for that helicopter. DH called both insurance and the company yesterday, and they're "working" on it. Thankfully our insurance has that benefit. No doubt it was justified. My heart skipped a beat though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 The worst part is most air ambulances actually operate at a loss and utilize fundraisers, at least the ones here. When my step grandmother died, she had been airlifted to a specialty hospital approximately 17 miles away. The cost before insurance was close to $48,000. Very true. Most people have no idea how much medically equipd copters cost, much less liability insurance on something like that. It is HUGE. Just huge. Add in an experienced pilot, flight medics, .... Chances are the bill will eventually come down as fund raised dollars are used to offset the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.