Air ambulance hospital transfer services transport individuals from one facility to another quickly and safely, providing expert medical care along the way. Air ambulance transfers are among the safest forms of long-distance medical transportation, as these flights are outfitted with advanced medical equipment and staffed by highly trained professionals who provide continuous care throughout the entire journey.
Choosing the right air ambulance provider for a hospital transfer is essential for receiving quality care and avoiding hidden costs. A quality provider offers transparent pricing and expert medical personnel to support you throughout your transfer process.
What Is a Long-Distance Hospital Transfer?
A long-distance hospital transfer involves relocating a patient to another facility for specialized care, often across state or national borders, using a fixed-wing aircraft for safe and efficient transport. Hospital transfers typically occur if you or a loved one need one or more of the following:
- A complex or critical procedure that is unavailable at your current location
- Specialized care from an expert or specialist at a different hospital
- A higher level of care in another state or country
- Imaging scans
- Care closer to home
Standard ambulances handle short-distance ground transportation, but longer distances and urgent transfer needs require air transport. Rotor-wing helicopters handle short air journeys, while fixed-wing aircraft handle long-distance air transfers due to their greater range and speed capabilities. Continue reading to learn more about long-distance hospital transfers via fixed-wing aircraft.
Advantages of Using an Air Ambulance for Long-Distance Hospital Transfers
An air ambulance provides patient relocation and specialized in-flight care, transferring you or a family member between hospitals safely. Air ambulances are fixed-wing jets or airplanes containing a wide range of medical equipment. When you trust an air ambulance service for your hospital transfer, an expert medical team delivers the care, monitoring, and treatment you need throughout the journey. This type of transfer offers the following advantages:
- Speed: An air ambulance can transport you or your loved one between hospitals faster than ground transport, creating a smoother process. Air ambulance services help you reach the necessary or preferred hospital with few to no delays.
- Specialized care and advanced medical equipment: Air ambulance teams travel with advanced equipment and provide specialized care, so you can travel without treatment disruptions. This is especially important if you have a serious condition because it ensures you have the medical attention and intervention you need during the transfer process. An air medical team can monitor you throughout your entire flight.
- Safety: Air flight and medical teams are highly experienced and receive ongoing training to provide safe transfer services. They also provide a clean environment during your trip, protecting you from exposure if you are immunocompromised.
- Distance: A fixed-wing jet or airplane makes it easier and safer to travel long distances. Air ambulance services are a beneficial option if you need to reach a hospital in another city, state or country.
- Comfort: An air ambulance team can adjust a flight’s altitude to reduce cabin pressure and facilitate a more comfortable flight. This adjustment protects you from pressure-related complications following surgery, a head injury, trapped air in the body or lung issues. A compassionate air transfer team also provides holistic care to help you feel comfortable and relaxed during your journey.
If you are in stable, noncritical condition, you can also consider an air medical escort services for your hospital transfer. An air medical escort can accompany you on a commercial flight, monitoring your condition and providing care as needed.
How to Transfer Hospitals: Steps in the Transfer Process
Receiving hospital transfer assistance is safe and convenient when you have the support of a reputable air ambulance team. An air ambulance hospital transfer follows these steps.
Evaluation
Before scheduling a hospital transfer flight, your health care provider and air transfer team can help you determine the best option based on your condition. You can choose between an air ambulance or medical escort services based on cost, your medical needs and how far you need to travel.
Coordination
After deciding on the best transportation method, you can request a quote. Choose an air ambulance company that offers transparent pricing so you know the full cost before boarding your flight. An honest company provides all-inclusive quotes so that you and your family know what to expect upfront.
A flight specialist takes care of details to facilitate a smooth process for you and your family. You or your loved one can fill out a simple form with your information, and the flight specialist will book your flight and provide a comprehensive itinerary. Your flight medical team reassesses and discusses your condition before the flight to ensure you receive the care you need.
Flight
Your air ambulance flight itinerary lets you know your bedside pickup time, approximate departure and arrival times, and luggage requirements. You can relax as the air transport team handles ground and air transportation, providing bedside-to-bedside service for your comfort, safety and convenience. A communications team keeps your family updated throughout the hospital transfer process, and the flight crew lets facilities know when you are en route to prevent delays.
If you travel with medical escort services, a medical crew member accompanies you throughout the entire commercial flight process. They provide ground transportation to the airport, help you through security and monitor you during your flight. They carry medical equipment in case they need to provide care on the way to your destination.
Handoff
Upon arrival at your destination, your medical team transfers you to your receiving facility and delivers a comprehensive report to your health care provider. This information ensures your continuity of care.
Insurance Coverage and Cost of Air Ambulance Services
Air ambulance flight costs vary but typically range between $18k and $55k. The precise cost depends on the following factors:
- Travel distance
- Level of care
- Equipment quality
- Additional services
Be mindful of an air ambulance company’s pricing approach. It’s important to trust a company that offers high-quality service without deceptively low quotes or exaggerated prices.
You’ll also want to consider your insurance options. Using an in-network air ambulance provider protects you from egregious billing practices, so it’s recommended to choose an air ambulance company that works with your insurance company and helps you navigate the insurance process.
Your insurance may cover all or a portion of your transfer flight, depending on your policy and which criteria you meet. Medicare air ambulance coverage typically only applies to immediate transfer needs that ground transport can’t provide.
Contact an Air Ambulance Company for Your Hospital Transfer Needs
Air ambulance transfer is essential if you require continuous care or monitoring and need to travel a long distance to another facility. AirCARE1 provides safe patient transfer and expert medical care, supporting you throughout the full transfer process.
Our medical team is highly trained, and our air ambulance aircraft are fully equipped to meet your needs. As an in-network provider, we work with most insurance companies and simplify the insurance process for you. You can depend on AirCARE1 to provide safe, compassionate bedside-to-bedside service with holistic care and transparent pricing. Our goal is to make a difference in each patient’s life and advance the healing process. Contact us to learn more, or request a quote to start the hospital transfer process.
