The Right Questions to Ask a Medical Flight Company
Medical flights become a necessity when ground ambulances are not a choice. However, when the need for transport is not urgent, you have the time to make a sound choice, but first, you must know what questions you must pose to the medical flight company. Here, we discuss a few pertinent ones.
Does the Medical Flight Service Come Under My Insurance Network?
Health is important but cost is a factor too. Medical flight services can be quite expensive. When given a choice, you must exercise it to know what you are getting into. Air ambulance transport bills can run into the tens of thousands and in the hundreds of thousands, if the destination is across borders.
What Mode of Medical Flight is Right for Me?
Fixed-wing air ambulances are slightly more expensive than helicopters. However, they are quick and much more comfortable. In fact, preference must be given to fixed-wing flights if the journey is long. One major limitation, however, is its ability to land. Unlike helicopters, they need extended landing grounds.
Is the Air Ambulance Equipped Enough?
Today, one can hire air ambulances that suit the prevailing medical condition of a patient. For instance, you can hire one that is a flying neonatal care unit, if the patient is a newborn. Mission critical equipment like ECG monitors and the like must be available if the situation demands it.
Will the Organization Coordinate Care Beyond the Flight?
Most medical flight companies will offer you services that go beyond simply taking you from one place to another. They coordinate care with the receiving facility and keep in touch with ground ambulances if their services are required. If it is a cross-border transfer, the service provider may help you with the necessary formalities too.
These are some of the vital questions that one must ask before opting for a medical flight service to avoid any nasty surprises later.
