Air ambulances are invaluable solutions when it comes to transporting people securely and rapidly to a required healthcare facility. They are crucial in improving access to specialized care and allowing patients to receive proper medical assistance in a timely manner. While they are essential for the air transport of critically injured or severely ill patients, associated costs are usually a mystery for many people. What should you know about the cost of an air ambulance? What are the tips and tricks to reduce your air ambulance cost? Can your insurance cover the cost? All you need to know about air ambulance costs!
Air ambulance costs: what you need to know when booking
Air ambulance costs may vary due to several factors. There are no fixed price.
Factors affecting air ambulance costs are the type of the aircraft, the medical team and equipment needed, the flight distance, the patient’s condition and the number of accompanying persons.
A medical escort flight can be a cheaper alternative to an air ambulance provided that the patient is stable enough to fly commercially.
Insurance coverage can be possible in some cases depending on the policy as well as the patient’s health condition.
What is an air ambulance?
An air ambulance is an aircraft that is purposely designed for the transportation of patients with a medical condition or those who cannot fly commercially. Outfitted with the latest medical technology, it enables the dispatched medical team to carry out necessary medical interventions in case of in-flight emergency.
Fully geared with ICU equipment, they provide swift and safe transportation even for people who have suffered from a serious health condition like a stroke, a cardiac arrest or trauma fractures.
Fixed-wing aeroplanes (turbo prop medical jets) and rotary-wing aeroplanes (ambulance helicopters) are the two types of air ambulances. Due to their high autonomy, ensuring fewer refuel stops, and their ability to withstand bad weather conditions, fixed-wing planes also known as medical jets are ideal for long-haul flights. Rotary-wing planes such as helicopters are reserved for short distances.
How much does an air ambulance flight cost?
Giving an exact price is impossible since the cost of an air ambulance flight varies depending on several factors. The price of the medical flight depends on the:
Distance to be covered
Patient’s condition
Type of aircraft
Need for ground ambulances
Number of accompanying persons
Urgency of the request
Factors that come into play when estimating the cost of an air ambulance flight include:
The distance to be covered: The start address and destination address greatly influence the price of air ambulance services because of fuel needs and additional resources deployed.
The patient’s condition: the medical gear and team are chosen after careful evaluation of the patient’s health status. Specialized equipment and health professionals with highly technical expertise might be needed in some cases contributing to the overall cost of an air ambulance flight.
The type of aircraft: the use of a larger aircraft offering more comfort and more functionalities can impact the price of an air ambulance.
The need for ground ambulances: ground transportation services are often needed for smooth patient transfers, usually to and from airports. The cost of a ground ambulance differs from country to country and the expenses associated with ground transportation will also fluctuate.
The number of accompanying persons: having close family members or friends by their side during their transfer can be reassuring for patients. At MTI 24/7, we make it possible for you to accompany your sick or injured relative during their ambulance flight. Usually a family member or friend can accompany the patient free of charge. Having several accompanying persons will incur additional costs.
The urgency of the request: for logistics and availability reasons, planning an air ambulance flight ahead of time can impact favorably the overall cost of the mission.
At MTI 24/7, our team is available to provide you with a transparent and customized cost estimate at any time for your ambulance flight. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you need the cost estimate for a medical flight.
How can I reduce my air ambulance cost - our tips & tricks
Conscious of the fact that the costs associated with an air ambulance can be a concern and committed to making healthcare more accessible, we always try to find budget-friendly solutions for our patients. Here are some tips and tricks to make your air ambulance flight more affordable without compromising on quality service:
Choose a smaller aircraft: as previously mentioned the type of aircraft can influence the cost of an air ambulance service. Opting for a smaller aircraft means that operational and fuel expenses are reduced.
Opt for a closer medical facility: when seeking medical care rapidly, flying to the closest medical facility can help in mitigating flight costs because of minimized fuel requirements and fewer medical resources needed.
Schedule your flight ahead of time: planning your air ambulance flight well beforehand allows us to elaborate a cost-saving solution and solve potential logistics issues. As such, in some cases, we might be able to find an already deployed aircraft closer to your location which will considerably reduce your air ambulance cost.
Medical escort flight, a cost-effective alternative to air ambulance
A medical escort flight can be an answer for people looking for a cost-effective way to fly safely while getting medical attention. Conducted on commercial flights, medical escort missions are however reserved for stable patients only.
During a medical escort mission either a nurse or doctor is mobilized to oversee the patient’s condition during the flight. Restrictions concerning authorized medical equipment onboard is one of the reasons why patients in a critical condition cannot be transported commercially. Our medical escort services are ideal for elderly patients needing medical assistance, patients with minor injuries or patients who are not allowed to travel alone.
While we understand the need for a low-cost patient transport option, our medical escort services may not be the right choice for some patients due to:
The waiting delays: subjected to the approval of the airline company’s, the planning of our medical escort flight mission can take longer than organizing an air ambulance flight.
The lack of medical equipment onboard: restrictions regarding medical equipment can limit the health professional’s ability in providing the appropriate medical care;
The lack of flexibility: besides being subjected to the flight schedule of a commercial airliner, restrictions also apply to the destination airport. Patients will only be transported to an airport that is accessible to commercial aeroplanes which might not be the closest one to the chosen medical facility.
Does insurance cover air ambulance costs?
Insurance can sometimes cover air ambulance costs partially or entirely, depending on the policy and the circumstances surrounding the patient’s condition. Usually, the medical experts of the insurance company are required to review the patient’s case to determine if an air ambulance flight is essential for the patient. If yes, coverage can be provided.
At MTI 24/7, we carry out air ambulance flights for patients without insurance coverage or even if the patient’s insurance company is not willing to take over the associated costs. Give us a call and we will discuss the different budget-friendly options available to you.
Why choose MTI 24/7 for a cost-effective air ambulance flight?
Choosing the right air ambulance company may be puzzling for many people because of the financial aspects that need to be considered. At MTI 24/7, we value transparency and strive to provide affordable patient transport solutions to our patients. To that end, we offer:
Customized pricing: our air ambulance costs are calculated on a case by case basis with no unnecessary extra charge;
Transparent pricing: we provide an accurate and detailed quotation including all expenses that are incurred. Our air ambulances do not come with hidden fees;
Several patient transport options: we have carefully formulated our services to make them financially accessible to patients across the globe and provide different transport options to suit their needs;
Free consultation on the most cost-effective strategy: our team is always happy to help with any financial questions and can advise you on the most cost-effective strategy to adopt.
Benefits of choosing us for your medical transportation
Our medical transportation services come with several perks for patients as well as families needing emergency and non-emergency transfers:
A bed-to-bed service including ground transportation, coordination with involved parties, handling of logistics and help with formalities;
A qualified and highly-trained medical team at your service;
Quality care at every stage of your transfer;
A multilingual team that can help with language barriers;
Worldwide availability;
A 24/7 service.
Booking your medical flight with us
To book your medical flight with us, contact us at any time. Our team will walk you through the booking process and advise on the most convenient and suitable air ambulance solution.
Our 3-step booking process is as follows :
Get in touch with us for free consultation regarding your viable transport options;
Prepare all your necessary documents including your medical reports, visa and passport;
Confirm your booking.
Contact us
Available 24 hours a day, our team is at your disposal to assist you with any questions you might have regarding air ambulance costs. Contact us by phone, mail or our online form and they will respond immediately. Besides designing a personalized solution, our agents will be more than happy to provide you with a free and non-binding quotation.
Reach us by:
Phone: USA: +1 646 335 06 83 / UK: +44 20 3608 0959
Email: info@mti-247.com
Our contact form
