Air Ambulance Worldwide – Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is an air ambulance?
Critical care aircraft are specially equipped as flying intensive care units. They will provide a FAA approved flight stretcher, specialized medical equipment, a full assortment of patient specific drugs and medications. The aircraft is staffed with a medical team to meet the specific needs of the patient.
Q. Who needs an air ambulance?
Air ambulances are effective when the patient needs to travel more than 250 miles and they need specialized medical care or procedures. Specialized procedures range from cancer treatment, burn care, head and spinal cord injury and strokes. In addition, the elderly that can not travel commercially due to the stress and security issues associated with commercial airports will benefit from our air ambulance service. Air ambulance transfers bring people home to be near their families, to medical facilities for specialized treatment and rehabilitation centers for specific care.
Q. Can you provide International air ambulance evacuations?
Air Ambulance Worldwide provides air ambulance transfers Domestically and Internationally to all continents of the world. We have an in-depth partner qualification process that allows us to provide strategically located aircraft and medical teams to control cost and provide professional service for your patient, while maintaining the highest level of medical care. We are professionals and know how to find the proper aircraft and medical team nearest to your patient or loved one. (Cost Saving Feature/Strategically Located Partners).
We also work with cruise ships, excursion companies, and other travel providers to arrange MedEvac flights when someone is in an accident abroad.
Find out more about medical repatriation through medical flights.
Q. How much notice do you need to arrange an air ambulance transfer?
This is an important question. Most transfers are arranged and scheduled a few days in advance. When we have a few days notice, many times we can identify a connecting flight and save you money. But then there is always the emergency transfer that needs to go quickly. Typically, the air ambulance arrangements can be made and begin within 2 to 4 hours. If the transfer is an international air ambulance, there are many controlling factors that determine how quickly the aircraft can be dispatched. Some of these pacing items are: passports and visa’s for the patient and all passengers must be available, if there is a need to advance flight crews ahead of the aircraft on long haul flights, what international permits and landing arrangements need to be made and there are other factors not mentioned. If at all possible, you should try to allow for a few days to save money by utilizing a connecting flight (Cost Saving Feature/Connecting Flight), but if the case is that you need to go immediately, we can be ready in 2 to 4 hours.
Q. What is “Bed to Bed” service?
Bed to Bed service is when the medical team from the air ambulance will go to the discharging hospital to meet the patient in their room, do an assessment of the patient and comfort them about the transfer. They then travel with the patient in the ground ambulance to the aircraft. The same process takes place at the arrival city where the medical team travels with the patient to the receiving facility. They will provide a briefing for the receiving hospital nurse. This provides continuity of care for the entire transfer.
Q. Can a loved one or companion accompany the patient on the air ambulance?
Yes, in most cases this is available, at no additional charge. The number of passengers is controlled by the medical condition and needs of the patient, the number of medical personnel onboard and the type of aircraft we use. In most cases 1 to 2 passengers are able to travel with the patient. Accompanying a patient.
Q. How much luggage can we bring on the aircraft?
Luggage is limited to 2 small to medium sized bags, typically no larger than a carry on bag for a commercial airline. The aircraft is outfitted with a significant amount of medical equipment and space is limited. The patients care always takes priority. Our customers usually forward non-essential items before the transfer.
Q. What is required to arrange an air ambulance transfer?
Place a call to our 24 hour dispatch and information center where a Flight Coordinator will walk you through the entire process, patiently answering any questions that you have and providing you with the least expensive solution. The Flight Coordinator will ask you a few pertinent questions about the patient and then respond to you with a written proposal. The entire process only takes a few minutes.
Q. How much does an air ambulance cost?
A medical transfer can be somewhat of a costly procedure, but there are many ways to control and reduce the cost. Aircraft positioning, and how quickly you need to move the patient are two of the most important factors in pricing this kind of a transfer. Locating an aircraft in close proximity to the patient is the most significant factor in saving money! This is where Air Ambulance Worldwide truly can assist you in saving money (Cost Saving Features). Also, if you are flexible on the day that you want to move the patient or can give us a few days notice before the transfer, we will most likely, be able to arrange your trip with a connecting flight. (Cost Saving Feature/Connecting Flights).
Q. Is your proposal all inclusive?
Yes! When you speak with one of our Flight Coordinators they will provide you with a written proposal that will detail every aspect of the transfer. The proposal will identify the cities involved, the aircraft, medical team, ground ambulances and all charges for the transfer. There are NO HIDDEN costs!
Q. Do you provide a written proposal?
Yes! As mentioned before, it is very important for you to obtain a written proposal for your transfer. This protects you and identifies exactly what you will receive in your transfer. Air Ambulance Worldwide provides this to you for every transfer.
Q. How do I pay for the Air Ambulance?
Air Ambulance Worldwide accepts certified checks, checks by FAX, credit cards, bank wire transfers and cash. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. A combination of credit cards is acceptable. All services are paid for prior to aircraft dispatch.
Q. Can I bring my pet on a medical flight?
In certain circumstances, yes, you can bring your pet on a medical flight.
Q. When are you available to discuss more details about arranging an air ambulance transfer?
Our Flight Coordinators are available at our Dispatch and Information Center 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We look forward to receiving your call and to have an opportunity to earn your business.
Q. Is it alright to use a Broker?
This is a thought provoking question. It could easily be reversed and stated, “Should I use an Operator?” I believe you can answer both questions with, “YES”. You see there are Quality Operators and Quality Brokers in the air ambulance business, as well as Poor Operators and Poor Brokers. Air Ambulance Worldwide is one of the finest companies in the world that you could allow to earn your business. Our focus is on providing safe quality care of your patient by using our own aircraft or one of the quality operators that we have identified around the world. Air Ambulance Worldwide has the expertise in knowing what questions to ask of an Operator to make sure that their aircraft and medical staff is first rate. Air Ambulance Worldwide also has arrangements with several operators in the area of your patient so the flight miles are kept to a minimum and there is always the potential for a connecting flight. (Cost Saving Feature/International Insurance Journal Article)
