air evac membership

[sundial]

Hubby and I have decided to get an air evac membership after considering the nasty spills we and our fellow cyclists have encountered. We thought this was a good idea considering the nearest trauma center is 2 1/2 hrs away and we cycle in a rural, small community.

Cost of air evac to nearest trauma center: $10,000
Cost of yearly membership: $60
Cost of air evac with membership and insurance: $0
Having peace of mind: priceless

[tulip]

I was evacuated by helicopter from a rural area 2+ hours drive from the nearest trauma center, and insurance covered it all. Sounds like a waste of $60 to me, I mean, that's a new jersey! Would they pay for the evac if you DIDN'T have insurance?

[Tuckervill]

It's pretty common for people to join the Air Evac in Arkansas. I don't live in a remote area, so I assume the ambulance would pick me up. But in the rural parts of the state, the small hospitals don't have trauma centers, much less helicopters.

I know my in-laws pay their money every year, and they don't live too far out of town (Conway). I don't know anyone around here who's a member, though.

I think it's a good idea, Sundial!

Karen

[Blueberry]

If I lived in a rural area, I'd probably do something like that too. As it is, I'm in the flight path of Duke's life flight, and am probably less than a mile from the hospital as the crow flies.

But if I weren't, I'd want the peace of mind...

[luv'nAustin]

I wonder if the policy would cover a rescue from a remote location that is far from your home base. I'm thinking of the Grand Canyon or some remote hiking trail on a mountain.

[OakLeaf]

Good idea, but make sure you've got a satphone or panic button to go with it. Where the hospitals are far away, often times so are the cell towers.

[sundial]

I don't live in a remote area, so I assume the ambulance would pick me up.

The ambulance would respond first and then take you to the nearest hospital to be stabilized and then air evac'd if indicated. BUT there are instances where you could be air evac'd on site and as you know, Children's Hospital, St. Louis, or The Med in Memphis are the choice trauma centers for Arkansans.

As for insurances, it may or may not cover all the expenses of an air lift, so I'd rather err on the side of caution and pay my dues than to be hit with a whopper bill. :eek:


Good idea, but make sure you've got a satphone or panic button to go with it. Where the hospitals are far away, often times so are the cell towers.

So true! We decided to buy a SPOT for those out of the way cycling adventures and it's nice to know that should we get into trouble, we have access to 911 services via satellite. :cool: