We have heard many a stories where families have been drained of their finances owing to the cost of air ambulance services that go uncovered by insurance. If you are wondering why this life-saving mode of transport is getting more expensive by the day, you must look into all the factors that go into the pricing of air ambulance services.
Air Ambulance Services are Expensive due to Several Factors
Even though the fuel prices have gone down, jet fuel prices have not fallen proportionately; so the cost of fuel to run air ambulance services is one major factor.
Insurance cost of air ambulance vehicles have also gone up due to the many air ambulance accidents that we have witnessed recently.
Insurance providers and healthcare watchdogs expect air ambulance services to maintain the highest standards, and maintaining such standards comes at a cost.
The salaries of critical care nurses and doctors too are rising rapidly, which is adding to the cost of air ambulance services.
Think of in-flight training exercises that the crew has to go through. Someone has to pay for these exercises and the cost is ultimately borne by the beneficiaries of the services.
The periodic maintenance and upkeep of air ambulances is mandatory in most instances and comes at a very high cost.
There are also licensing and regulation costs which recur periodically.
Extra Costs of Overseas Air Ambulance Services
When a patient needs medical repatriation, the costs go up to dizzying heights. It is not just the fuel that adds to the cost of air ambulance services in such cases.
There may be several permits that need to be obtained when a patient has to be flown overseas which can cost a considerable amount.
Certain parts of the world demand that precautions be taken to avoid contaminations and infections – the cost of which can be significant.
Special precautions need to be taken and more wages need to be paid when a patient has to be transported from a war-torn or unstable region.
Governments across the world and the US need to take a closer look at the rising cost of air ambulance services and come up with a lasting solution for cost containment, lest the people will continue to suffer financially.
