We ride motorcycles, shoot, hike, and like to explore off the beaten track. As we get older and become more susceptible to injury or illness we are, as part of our preparation for fulltiming, considering getting MASA medical air services. Before we spend the bucks I would appreciate the opinions of those who have looked into these kind of services.
Do you have a medical air service (air ambulance)? Is so, why? If not, why?
2 dirt bike enthusiasts and 1 cool Weimaraner
2005 Teton Frontier Experience
1999 Volvo 610
I don't have it, but have considered it. Like all insurance, it is worth every penny if you need it and a watse of money if you don't. One pont to think about is does it cover helicopter or just fixed wing? Your chance of needing a helicopter medi-vac is substantially more than fixed wing.
Probably not to many people have the service. Medivac is terribly expensive and in my opinion probably not worth it. I have a medical plan that probably covers 80% of a medivac. I also got medivac once and it really didnt save my life or anything close to it. I could have easily been ground transported. I remember getting in the helicopter and my only thoughts were I hope we dont crash. Fortunately I passed out and didnt have to worry about the copter going down. They seem to crash all the time. If you do an internet news search you will come up with a couple. By the way the insurance might have a cap of $10,000 which is probably near what most of the flights cost.
There a few questions that you may want to that I didn't see on their site. What is the training of the people that will transport you? What is the quality of the aircraft? Some of these providers use commercial single engine, antiquated aircraft with persons that do not have certifications that could be used in other states. I have worked with and talked with persons in the air-medical services and these are for-profit entities that count on you "not" calling for their assistance. If you do, you get second-rate aircraft and personnel. Let the buyer beware...
DW has been medivac'd for 'medical necessity' reasons when hospital A was not properly equipped to fix the emergency problem and hospital B across the state was. Stabilized her and shipped her out. Her regular insurance paid and would presume that health ins that pays ambulance etc would also pay for medivac svc if it is necessary.
It seems the air transport type policies are geared more for convenience, i.e., you are hospitalized 1000's of miles from home and want to be nearer to home so you are flown home. Since we drag our home behind our TV...
Both Skymed & Masa have policies that cover ambulance & helicopter. Skymed's legal contract emphasizes that you have more of a choice of which hospital you want to go to (such as the one near home). Masa has the advantage of a lifetime contract for under $4k, whereas Skymend is $2k for 5 years. Good Sam EA+ can't be beat for $100/year, but only covers air transport to "an appropriate medical facility" from your original emergency hospital if needed. They do not cover ground or air ambulances that I can tell.
2004 Yukon XL K1500 w/ 5.3L & 3.73 diff.
1989 22ft. Wilderness TT @ 5500# loaded
Member: TTN, Escapees, Good Sam
Just retired, will travel!
Offline
