[Snowbrushy]

From KING TV: http://www.king5.com/news/local/patient-hopes-you-consider-airlift-insurance/250228489

[mike]

We have ALNW coverage. Saved my daughter from a $12k bill.

[Kim Brown]

They say that one group of people to consider purchasing this insurance is people who go into the mountains. If there's an SAR rescue, where to the choppers take the hiker? Do they drop them off at the trail head and it's up to the injured hiker to get to the hospitall? The only scenario I can think of where someone paid for a chopper was a woman whose injury didn't warrant an SAR lift; she called a private chopper to get her (I don't recall details; this was several years ago on the Peninsula).

[Yana]

[coldrain108]

sounds very strange. Guy has an accident at home - $20000 for airlift. Person goes hiking intentionally without water, map or any idea what they are doing and they get a free ride. Kind of shoots down one argument in favor of free mountain rescues, seeing that they do charge for "in civilization" "rescues". Does that keep people from calling 911 when they REALLY need help? weird world we live in.

[Randito]

$79 / year seems like a good deal. Though does it actually cover SAR type lifts from the side of a mountain:

[silence]

When Robert had his heart attack last July in Gustavus, AK, according to Medicare he needed to first be airlifted to the nearest emergency room which was in Juneau. From there he was then airlifted to Anchorage for treatment. Under Medicare, while the bills for both airlifts came to nearly $75K, we only had to pay a $250 deductible for each trip. But, this is when we also learned about Airlift NW’s cool program. We've been looking for a place to buy in more remote areas around WA, and have learned that in most cases the local aid car will only take you to the nearest helo pad to be transported to Seattle for critical care (whether it be from home or from a mountain rescue). Even though Medicare insurance would probably cover this for us, there's ALWAYS the possibility that it won’t, so I think the $79 /yr is a reasonable investment … plus it offers great piece of mind. BTW, the whole experience with Airlift NW was awesome. They (the pilot and 2 EMTs) were so kind, supportive, skilled and professional … all the way to the hospital room. However, be aware, to get this coverage you also need to have medical insurance that covers air transport, plus it's only for emergency situations ... see the particulars here http://www.uwmedicine.org/airlift-nw/aircare/washington

Airlift to Anchorage

[Yana]

[Mike Collins]

[Bugs]

In King County most helicopter rescues are flown directly to the Hospital.

[Geography Nerd]

ALNW is really a flying ambulance unlike Sno. County Helo Rescue or a military helicopter that can perform hoist rescues or land in less than ideal terrain. From what I recall ALNW first started marketing their services and insurance to folks who lived on islands without bridge access throughout the Northwest (Vashon, Anderson, etc.) If I lived on one of those islands I'd consider the insurance.

[Schroder]

I've mentioned this before as the topic came up. Your insurance may not cover aid car rides either, especially if you're transferred over multiple jurisdictions (i.e. Stevens Pass to Providence in Everett). Regence doesn't cover it for me and a couple of times I've paid $2k plus out-of-pocket.

[Kim Brown]

[Yana]

[Kim Brown]

OK, that clarifies, thanks so mu;ch!