How much does Life Flight cost?
How much does Life Flight cost?
$12,000 – $50,000 average Life Flight cost without insurance
Average cost of Life Flight
The average cost of a Life Flight air ambulance ride is $12,000 to $50,000 without insurance, depending on the aircraft type, fuel cost, distance traveled, and medical services provided. Life Flight costs with insurance vary based on your insurance provider, policy coverage, deductibles, and coinsurance or co-pays.
| Aircraft type | Average cost without insurance |
|---|---|
| Helicopter / rotary-wing | $12,000 – $30,000 |
| Airplane / fixed-wing | $20,000 – $50,000 |
The No Surprises Act (NSA), effective 2022, protects insured consumers from receiving unexpected "balance bills" for out-of-network emergency air transportation services they did not choose.
Life Flight / LifeFlight air ambulance providers
While "life flight" and "lifeflight" are interchangeable terms for air ambulances, be aware that "Life Flight" is also a common company name for many non-profit air ambulance providers. Most of these non-profit organizations charge less than the air ambulance costs charged by private, for-profit medical air transportation companies.
The Life Flight Network is the largest non-profit air ambulance provider in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West, serving Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. They also offer ground ambulance transportation in some areas.
LifeFlight, operating under the non-profit organization, Allegheny Health Network (AHN), provides medical helicopter transport throughout western Pennsylvania, southeastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and western Maryland.
Geisinger Life Flight, part of the non-profit Geisinger Health System, covers medical helicopter transport in central and northeast Pennsylvania.
Hawaii Life Flight provides rotary- and fixed-wing medical transportation throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Memorial Hermann Life Flight® is a hospital-based, non-profit air ambulance service covering people within a 150-mile radius of the Texas Medical Center.
Metro Life Flight is a non-profit air and ground ambulance service covering the Cleveland, Ohio area.
LifeFlight of Maine is a non-profit organization and the sole medical air transportation provider in the state. They also operate ground ambulance transportation.
Life Flight cost factors
Life Flight ambulance providers consider several key factors when calculating your total air ambulance transportation cost:
Distance: Longer flights over greater distances will incur higher costs due to increased fuel consumption and operational expenses.
Type of aircraft: Helicopters burn more fuel but are typically less expensive in total than fixed-wing aircraft flight. However, helicopters have a more limited range and are not suitable for long-distance travel.
Level of medical care: Flights that require specialized equipment, such as incubators or ventilators, or a larger critical care team will be more costly.
Location: Air ambulance services in remote or rural areas may charge higher rates due to the increased logistical challenges.
Life Flight cost without insurance
Life Flight costs $12,000 to $50,000+ without insurance. Your total cost can vary significantly depending on the type of aircraft, the distance traveled, and the level of medical support you require during the flight. You may also incur ground ambulance transportation charges if they're needed at either end of the trip.
Helicopters are the most common air ambulance for short distances, and these shorter flights typically cost less than a longer-distance airplane flight.
If your medical situation allows, pre-scheduling Life Flight transportation generally costs less than an emergency flight.
Life Flight cost with insurance
Life Flight costs with insurance can range anywhere from $0 to $5,000 or more, depending on your insurance company, the coverage details outlined in your policy, deductibles, coinsurance or co-pay amount, and whether you have secondary air ambulance coverage.
While the NSA protections exclude ground ambulance transportation costs, the act does include air ambulance transportation. This means out-of-network air ambulance providers are not allowed to bill you for any balance left after your insurance company pays the allowable in-network amount for medically necessary air transport.
The Life Flight Network and several other life flight companies offer annual memberships for $80 to $100 on average. These memberships relieve you of any out-of-pocket costs for covered, medically necessary air transportation that your primary insurance provider does not cover.
Life Flight air ambulance
What is a life flight?
A life flight, also called an air ambulance flight, refers to a ride in an emergency aircraft equipped with specialized medical equipment and qualified medical staff to transport a sick or injured patient when ground transportation is not possible or would compromise the patient's health.
A rotary-wing (helicopter) air ambulance burns more fuel than a fixed-wing plane but is best for short distances or when the patient's pickup location has limited landing space.
A fixed-wing (airplane) air ambulance costs less to operate and can handle longer distances than a helicopter ambulance. However, these ambulances need more landing room than a helicopter.
Does Medicare cover Life Flight?
Medicare Part B typically covers Life Flight air ambulance service when it's deemed medically necessary, provided the patient is transported to the nearest appropriate medical facility. The patient is usually responsible for a 20% coinsurance payment after meeting their deductible.
Does Medicaid cover Life Flight?
Medicaid coverage for Life Flight ambulance service varies by state. However, most state Medicaid programs do cover emergency ambulance transportation. The patient's out-of-pocket cost depends on the state they live in and their specific Medicaid plan coverage.
Managing the high cost of a Life Flight
Here are a few strategies to help you manage the cost of Life Flight emergency transportation:
Negotiation: Many companies are willing to negotiate the final cost, especially if you're able to pay the reduced bill in full. Request a detailed breakdown of the charges and don't be afraid to ask for a discount.
Memberships: If you have health insurance, some life flight providers offer annual and lifetime membership programs that lower or fully pay for your out-of-pocket cost resulting from a covered life flight ride.
Alternative options: In some cases, ground ambulance or commercial airline transport may be more cost-effective. Price out and compare other transport methods if your medical situation allows you to do so safely.
Financial assistance: Many providers and hospitals offer help for patients who are unable to afford the full cost of an emergency ambulance ride.
Travel insurance: Consider purchasing additional insurance or travel protection plans that may cover air ambulance costs.
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.