Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and Answers to Aid You in Your Decision
- Are you licensed and insured?
- What is an air ambulance?
- Can family members accompany the patient? Is there an extra charge?
- What does "bedside to bedside" medical transport mean?
- How much notice is needed for a domestic air ambulance flight?
- How is the cost of air ambulance service determined?
- Will Medicare cover any expenses?
- Will insurance cover air ambulance service?
- What forms of payment does Medical Express accept?
Are you licensed and insured?
We are licensed in Arizona #732
Yes, we are fully licensed and insured. We utilize aircraft that are FAA Part 135 compliant. All flight crew and medical staff maintain all required licenses and certifications. We also obtained Arizona Department of Health Services Air Ambulance License (Lic.#732). This license gives us the authority to operate fixed wing air ambulance, providing basic life support, advanced life support, critical care missions, convalescent and interfacility transports in the State of Arizona.
What is an air ambulance?
An air ambulance is a private aircraft equipped with special medical equipment and a highly-trained medical team to assist a patient traveling from one hospital/facility to another.
Can family members accompany the patient? Is there an extra charge?
Yes, depending on the size of the aircraft chosen, usually one to two family members may accompany the patient on the flight. There is No Extra Charge.
What does "bedside to bedside" medical transport mean?
Bedside to bedside medical transport means that from the moment our team arrives at the patient’s bedside at the sending hospital or facility until the patient arrives at his/her hospital room at the receiving hospital or facility, we are physically with them for the whole trip. This personal contact calms the patient and the family members by providing a feeling of security. It allows for the highest level of medical care because our highly-trained medical team never loses contact with the patient. From the hospital to the ambulance to the plane all the way through to the receiving ambulance and new hospital, there is not a moment without complete care. Additionally, we are in contact with the patient’s medical staff at both ends of the journey to ensure that every aspect of patient care gets communicated completely and properly. When your loved one arrives at the receiving hospital, the transition is smooth and predictable because the medical staff there is up to date on his/her condition.
How much notice is needed for a domestic air ambulance flight?
With non-emergency flights, you can make reservations a month or more in advance. However, usually one or two days advance notice is all that is usually needed.
In an emergency situation, an air ambulance crew needs about 2 hours to be ready to take off. Additional time is also needed for the air ambulance to get from its base to your closest airport (if there is not an air ambulance residing there). Add that time to the initial 2 hours and that is the response time.
If it is an international flight, it might take a little longer to have all of the necessary pre-flight paperwork in order. Make sure to have the passports of all passengers traveling ready in the beginning. The sooner that information is handed to the pre-flight team, the sooner the air ambulance is able to lift off.
How is the cost of air ambulance service determined?
The fuel and maintenance costs are the most important factors in determining the cost of air ambulance service. The longer the flight, the more air ambulance service can cost. Click here for our Best Price Guarantee. We will work with you to keep costs as low as possible by choosing the least expensive aircraft necessary for the patient’s medical situation.
Will Medicare cover any expenses?
Typically, we have found that Medicare does not cover air ambulance service. They will usually cover our services if the patient is being transported to the closest hospital that can treat him/her. A letter of medical necessity from the attending doctor is helpful.
For Medicare guidelines, it is best to go to the source to get information. Please click on the links below to be connected to the official government sites:
- Medicare - The government's main Medicare website.
- Medicare Ambulance Transport Document - A link to the document regarding Medicare and ambulance transport payment.
Will insurance cover air ambulance service?
All insurance policies are different. Insurance companies usually will pay to take a patient to the closest hospital that will treat them. In the majority of cases, insurance will not pay to relocate a patient if the patient can be treated in a closer facility. Unfortunately, this is usually the case even if the patient is not where he/she lives and/or where his/her family lives.
It is always good to fully investigate all of your insurance options. However in some cases insurance does pay, especially if the patient is being transported for specialized care. We suggest getting a copy of your full insurance policy. You may need to get your doctor to write a letter of medical necessity. It must contain the two words "medical necessity" to qualify for insurance purposes.
What forms of payment does Medical Express accept?
We know during this time, the last thing you want to worry about is finances. We understand that prices in our unique but critical industry can be challenging. Rest assured, with our best price guarantee, we will do everything we can to keep costs at their lowest point possible. We will choose the most affordable aircraft option necessary for the patient and trip and help you with payment any way we can. We can even set up a payment plan if necessary. We accept the following forms of payment for your convenience:
- All major credit cards
- Bank wire drafts
- Cash
- Cashier’s checks
- Money orders
- Letters of guarantee from insurance companies
