If a patient requires immediate medical transportation for a long distance, an air ambulance can help to increase access to specialized medical care. To understand air ambulance cost Canada, however, can be tricky since there is no single cost across the country. The final cost may vary by province, distance, aircraft, medical condition, level of care and presence of provincial health coverage as well as private health insurance. According to the Canadian government and healthcare providers, a person who falls into the eligible category might end up paying very little for using the services of the air ambulance, but a person who is not covered or a patient who is not covered may end up paying much more.
How Much Does an Air Ambulance Cost in Canada?
The air ambulance cost Canada varies significantly from one situation to another. For Example, In Saskatchewan, eligible residents pay for every air ambulance trip a flat rate of $465, with ground ambulance (between the airport and the hospital) transportation being an optional extra.
Fraser Health’s current patient transportation information states that in British Columbia, a patient who is not covered by MSP may be charged $11 per statute mile for an airplane air ambulance or $4,394 per hour for helicopter transportation.
The reasons for this are evidenced by these figures, which make it hard to give a fixed price. The cost of a medical transfer within a province may be very different from a long-distance or specialist private medical flight.
What Factors Affect Air Ambulance Pricing?
There are a number of factors that will affect the final price of an air medical transport. The first is the flight distance. The longer the trip the greater the fuel, crew time and resources.
Medical condition of the patient also plays a role. If the person needs intensive monitoring, ventilation, cardiac support or specific critical-care equipment, then a more sophisticated aircraft and medical team will be necessary. Type of aircraft is also a key consideration; there are differences between the operating costs of helicopter and fixed-wing transport.
Other costs may include medical escorts, specialized equipment, transfers by ground ambulance, medical fees and airport fees and hotel or other travel fees for supporting personnel. Due to these factors, patients should obtain a detailed quote prior to booking a private medical flight that is not an emergency.
Does Canadian Healthcare Cover Air Ambulance Costs?
Ambulance transport is not always free and available in Canada’s health system. Coverage and charges for patients are mostly based on the provincial or territorial program. The Canadian Medical Association says the Canada Health Act does not mandate that ambulance services be covered, although there are different levels of support for residents from province and territory governments.
Medically necessary transfers from authorized healthcare facilities between authorized facilities may be fully reimbursable for eligible residents. For instance, Interior Health says that if someone has valid British Columbia MSP coverage they won’t have to pay a charge for a medically required transfer between hospitals.
Coverage does vary, however, if a patient is uninsured or traveling to another province, or one needs to be transported outside the provincial program.
Air Ambulance Cost for Non-Residents
Everyone should be aware of the expense of medical transportation for non-residents. For instance, in British Columbia, non-MSP individuals can expect to be charged much more for air ambulance transport.
Ontario’s Ornge also says that air ambulance services to non-Ontario residents or those without valid OHIP coverage are excluded from Ontario’s health insurance laws and a bill of charges can be issued to the patient. Non-residents are advised to get travel insurance which covers for air ambulance assistance by Ornge.
Can Insurance Help Pay for an Air Ambulance?
Private or travel insurance can be a key component in the medical transportation cost management decision. Emergency Medical Evacuation, Air Ambulance Transport, Medical Escorts and related transportation may be covered, depending on the policy.
Verify if your policy will refer to air ambulance services in Canada prior to going abroad. Certain policies have limits, exclusions, medical-necessity requirements, or pre-authorization rules. Knowing about these conditions before a crisis can be beneficial in avoiding any financial stress during a crisis.
How to Get an Accurate Air Ambulance Cost Estimate
Air ambulance rates vary greatly by type of case, so it’s best to give the medical transport provider as much information as possible. This can involve the patient’s current place of residence, where they are headed, what their medical condition is, what equipment they need, and when they would like to travel.
The provider can then decide if the medical transportation should be provided by helicopter, fixed-wing or another medical transportation option. It is also important for families to verify if ground transportation is provided and if they must have insurance authorization.
Final Thoughts
There are several determinants of the air ambulance cost in Canada and it is not a fixed cost. Qualifying residents may have significantly less out of pocket expenses for care provided by provincial health care plans and those who are not covered by the provincial plans or are not residents could be charged much more. There is a wide variance in the billing systems across Canada as reported by the officials of the provinces.
When asking for any non-emergency transfer by air, ask for a written quote and verify insurance coverage prior to committing to the transfer. Medical personnel should consider the best way to transport the patient during an emergency, however, according to his/her state.
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