Q: Who will be coming to transport the patient?
Dependent on the patient needs one to two Registered Nurses and a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
Q: How long will it take for the patient to get to Billings Clinic?
In most cases, transport to Billings will take approximately one (1) hour flight time. Additional time is needed for patient packaging, stabilization and ground transport to the airport in the case of fixed wing transfer. Other factors affecting time of transport can be road and weather conditions, both on the ground and at altitude. Long distance flights can have time estimated closely with pilots and MedFlight dispatchers.
Q: Can family members be transported with the patient?
When allowable, one designated family member representative will be offered the option to accompany their loved one in transport if determined to be safe after screening by crewmembers. Minor children and multiple family members are not permitted. Family members are asked to bring along only one piece of carry-on luggage.
Q: How are services for air ambulance paid for?
In most instances, insurance carriers cover some of the costs incurred with air ambulance transport. Costs not covered by insurance are then passed along to the patient. In the case of specialty or long distance transfer, Billings Clinic can obtain pre-approval for services although they are not a guarantee of payment. Special arrangements can be made for cash payments when insurance will not cover costs or when air ambulance is not indicated.
Q: What type of aircraft do you fly?
MedFlight operates two aircraft to perform air ambulance transport. The Beechcraft King Air is our airplane capable of flying regionally and nationally. Pressurized for high altitude transfer allows for patient comfort and timely arrival at their destination.
Q: Who is your air medical vendor?
Edwards Jet Center, Billings, Montana.
Q: What type of patients can MedFlight Transport?
MedFlight transports all forms of adult patients receiving specialty services.
MedFlight is the only flight team regionally to transport a patient with intra-aortic balloon pump therapy. Billings Clinic MedFlight Maternal Nurses transport non-laboring mothers in need of high-risk obstetrics care.
Q: What type of equipment does MedFlight use?
The medical equipment and training are an extension of Billings Clinic. MedFlight brings our ICU right to the bedside. MedFlight is the most technologyically advanced flight team in the Western United States. State-of-the-art equipment includes portable cardiac monitors and vital sign monitoring; IV fluid and medication pumps; portable internal pacemakers; chest tubes; advanced airway management tools and ventilators; portable blood gas and electrolyte analyzers as well as fluid and blood warmers.