SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – “It’s 50 miles to Chadron or 70 miles to Scottsbluff. If you’re in a trauma situation, it’s a lot better to get to the hospital by helicopter than by ground, because time is everything,” said Sioux County EMS Director Misty Skavdahl. That’s why Skavdahl, an EMT with 15 years of experience, is on the bandwagon to encourage everyone, particularly rural residents, to join the AirMedCare Network’s Air Link Membership Program.

“We provide patient care for our own people in Sioux County, so we want to tell folks that this program is available to cover expenses that aren’t covered by insurance when a person needs a flight for life,” she said.

For a low annual enrollment fee of $65 per year (for an entire family), members of the program pay no out-of-pocket expenses if an emergency requires them to use Air Link air ambulance or another participating partner of the AirMedCare Network.

The Air Link Membership Program is offered by Med-Trans Corporation; the company that operates Regional West Medical Center’s Air Link air ambulance service.

The membership program covers air medical transport services throughout the AirMedCare Network, which includes more than 150 locations in 23 states.

The AirMedCare Network works with a member's insurance company or benefits providers to secure payment for Air Link flights. Whatever the member's insurance company or benefits provider pays is then considered payment-in-full for an Air Link flight.

“Air Link is a lifesaving resource, but helicopters are very expensive to operate,” said Bron Caddell, Business Development-Membership Manager at Med-Trans. “Many insurance companies pay for only part of the cost of an emergency air transport, and the remaining portion of the bill can cause a financial hardship for some patients. This program offers financial peace of mind in the event that you or someone you love needs emergency air transport.”

For more information or to join the membership program, contact Michelle Beeney, AirMedCare Scottsbluff representative at 308-641-7833 or michelle.beeney@amgh.us. To contact the national sales office, call 800-793-0010 or visit their website: www.joinmedtrans.com.

Regional West Health Services, Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company for Regional West Medical Center and Regional West Physicians Clinic. These organizations, with over 1,800 employees, provide comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, the Regional West family of health care organizations offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties.