RANBUSH
Ran Bush
Mods - please delete if it's not okay to bring up this topic here.
Two friends of mine have recently told me stories about their experience after a crash in a remote area of the California mountains and their evac with a nationally known Helicopter rescue company. Both my friends said they were charged +/- $75K to be airlifted from the crash site to a hospital that was capable of treating their injuries. Each rider said their insurance company paid _part_ of the cost, but each rider was still on the hook for five figure dollar amounts.
In both cases the rider was unconscious and unable to authorize the need for air transport as opposed to ground transport or other treatment.
I spoke to my evac response vendor (ACMxxxxN) and they said it is up to the Helicopter rescue company and the victim's insurance company to decide on what the rider pays. ACMxxxxN tells me they will pay all my costs.
Is this an accurate description of how a typical evac response happens? I understand that it is prudent to take all precautions with an unconscious accident patient. But $XXXXX out of pocket that the rider has to pay? Really?
Two friends of mine have recently told me stories about their experience after a crash in a remote area of the California mountains and their evac with a nationally known Helicopter rescue company. Both my friends said they were charged +/- $75K to be airlifted from the crash site to a hospital that was capable of treating their injuries. Each rider said their insurance company paid _part_ of the cost, but each rider was still on the hook for five figure dollar amounts.
In both cases the rider was unconscious and unable to authorize the need for air transport as opposed to ground transport or other treatment.
I spoke to my evac response vendor (ACMxxxxN) and they said it is up to the Helicopter rescue company and the victim's insurance company to decide on what the rider pays. ACMxxxxN tells me they will pay all my costs.
Is this an accurate description of how a typical evac response happens? I understand that it is prudent to take all precautions with an unconscious accident patient. But $XXXXX out of pocket that the rider has to pay? Really?