Blue Cross Blue Shield Partnering with Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance Services
January 16, 2009 by Lang Insurance Advisor
Filed under Health
Angel MedFlight obtained a nation-wide air ambulance contract for Blue Cross Blue Shield’s clients and patients
A bit of good news in the world of air ambulance services. This did not receive as much press as it should have, so let me highlight it now: Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance Services signed a national contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield, which became effective as of the middle of last year. This has made them a preferred provider to BCBS members nationwide.
Why Is This Good New?
Essentially it means greater access to emergency medical air transport for more Americans. Now, while the insurance industry is contracting, and while many people are not even covered by health insurance, having quality service available when needed builds an incentive for taking out coverage. For those already insured, having good air transport available in life threatening emergencies mean peace of mind.
This contract is not with just any health insurance company. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an alliance of 39 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross Blue Shield companies. Essentially, BCBSA is America’s oldest and largest family of health benefits companies, serving the needs of 100 million – about one in three – Americans. Around the country, over 90 % of hospitals and 80 % of physicians contract with BCBS companies.
“Our partnership with Blue Cross allows us to offer the best air ambulance transportation to even more patients,” says Angel MedFlight President and CEO Jeremy Freer. “We’re really excited to bring our level of service to so many people who need it.”
“Blue Cross Blue Shield patients or their case managers can call us and we’ll arrange all aspects of a transfer,” Jeremy Freer says. “Our goal is to make the transport as smooth and safe as possible for everyone involved.”
Angel MedFlight is an air ambulance company offering international patient transfer and medical evacuation services.
“When you’re dealing with a patient who needs to be transferred by air, time is critical,” says Freer. “Having dedicated air ambulance aircraft nationwide helps us reach more patients faster.”
It is strategically headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, although Angel MedFlight has medically outfitted aircraft based across the country. This allows for more rapid response times to patient transport requests.
Another benefit to having dedicated air ambulance aircraft based at different airports is that vacant flights are minimized, considerably reducing operating costs. “Not having to reposition a jet to our Arizona home base significantly reduces fuel costs,” says Freer. “We’re doing all we can to reduce costs for patients without compromising quality of care, safety and service.”
Angel MedFlight has a pristine safety record, with no incidents or accidents.
Angel MedFlight is the only medical transport company in the country that will arrange ground transportation in addition to air travel.
For further Information
Blue Cross Blue Shield
www.bcbs.com
Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance Services
877-ANGEL-70 (877-264-3570)
info@angelmedflight.com
