The year 2021 is behind us, and as we enter the brand-new year, we look at it with a lot of hope. The year gone by was quite eventful for the air ambulance industry, to say the least. The pandemic continued into the second year, and by the looks of it, is going to bother the world in the years to come. However, there was a silver lining. The latest variant, Omicron, although considered highly transmissible is less lethal, especially when compared to the previous variant, Delta.
Then, there was the issue of balance billing, which brought a lot of negative public perceptions towards the air ambulance industry. It had created a constant tussle between the health insurance industry and the air ambulance industry. The result was the No Surprises Bill – effective January 2022.
Customer Expectations in 2022 from the Air Ambulance Industry
One major expectation will be to utilize air ambulance services without the worry of having to bear the balance payments. Payment will now be a matter that needs to be sorted out between insurance providers and the air ambulance industry.
Rural America can possibly breathe free of the worries about the Coronavirus given the fact that air ambulance service will now be much more reachable due to the No Surprises Bill. Of course, it is yet to be seen how much of the air ambulance industry will be willing to support rural areas. The reason: with the insurance companies prefixing costs, the medical flight providers might witness dwindling margins and diminishing motive to serve far-off regions.
Differences Need to be Ironed Out in 2022
Overall, it can be said that the air ambulance industry is moving in the right direction from the customers’ point of view. If all outstanding issues are sorted out, it will be highly beneficial to all parties involved. Perhaps, the government needs to play a more active role as an arbitrator.
