Imagine being in a situation where a loved one needs crucial care but is miles away from the right facility. That’s where medical flights come in, acting as a lifeline. These specialized flights ensure that patients receive uninterrupted medical care, whether it’s a race against time to handle life-threatening situations or a planned medical journey; medical aviation ensures patients receive the care they need, wherever they need it.
There are primarily two types of medical flight: emergency and non-emergency. Each has its unique purpose, but they share the same core mission: ensuring the safety and well-being of the patient during their journey. Continue reading to learn more about the distinctions between emergency and non-emergency medical flights.
When Are Emergency Medical Flights Used?
When time is of the essence and every second counts, emergency medical flights, also called air ambulances or medevacs — either a helicopter or a fixed-wing plane — provide urgent transportation and medical care for patients with critical, life-threatening conditions. Example situations include:
- Rapid Response: Emergency flights come into play when ground ambulances can’t reach a location quickly enough or if a patient requires specialized care unavailable in the region. For example, to save lives in a severe automobile accident in a remote location.
- Transportation to Specialized Facilities: For patients suffering from severe burns, trauma, or other specialized injuries and illnesses who might need to be transported to a facility offering specialized care, air transport is the quickest way.
When Are Non-Emergency Medical Flights Used?
Non-emergency medical flights provide air transportation for patients who require medical supervision but are in stable condition. Reasons for non-emergency medical flights include:
- Transporting patients needing admission to specialty hospitals for conditions like stroke, heart attack, or major trauma
- Moving patients from community hospitals to higher-level care at regional medical centers
- Repatriating patients back home after hospitalization away from their residence
- Flying patients to specialized healthcare centers for medical procedures or treatments
While still medically necessary, these flights are scheduled in advance, and patients are in non-critical condition. Medical teams provide supervision and care as needed.
Typical Scenarios of Non-Emergency Medical Flights
- They are transporting patients to facilities with specialized services.
- They are transporting patients to rehabilitation centers.
- They are moving patients with chronic conditions.
- Repatriation or transporting patients to preferred medical facilities closer to home.
Key Differences
- Urgency: The primary difference lies in the name. Emergency medical flights are for immediate life-threatening situations, whereas non-emergency flights can be scheduled in advance.
- Aircraft Configuration: Emergency flights usually have advanced life-support systems, medical equipment, and sometimes even mini-operating rooms. Non-emergency flights might have some medical equipment on board but are less intensively equipped.
- Crew Composition: Emergency flights often have a team of doctors and nurses, depending on the patient’s needs. Non-emergency flights may have a more generalized or specific staff according to the patient’s condition.
When does Insurance cover Costs?
Due to their high costs, insurers impose restrictions on emergency and non-emergency medical flight coverage. Emergency medical flights are covered when medically necessary. Insurance may cover non-emergency transport with physician authorization and when ground transport would endanger the patient’s health. Patients should check policies and consult providers to determine coverage.
Help Us Ensure Everyone Can Access Medical Care
Recognizing the distinctions between emergency and non-emergency medical flights can help make informed decisions at crucial times. It allows for appropriate dispatch and use of these vital patient transport options. Correct utilization ensures patients get needed care during transport and avoids unnecessary costs.
Serving the Midwest, LifeLine’s volunteer pilots complete hundreds of missions annually, bringing patients to and from lifesaving medical care. They donate their time, expertise, and aircraft use and cover all the expenses necessary to ensure that people needing medical and humanitarian assistance are supported.
LifeLine Pilots was founded on the principle that everyone, regardless of income or location, should be able to access quality healthcare. LifeLine Pilots receives no government funding. Instead, volunteer pilots support LifeLine Pilots by donating millions in flight time and planes ($1.6 million last year alone)!
LifeLine Pilots can make these flights available due to the generosity of individuals, businesses, and foundations. There are so many ways you can help. Your cash or crypto contribution, or even your time as a volunteer, can ensure that a person gets the healthcare they need.