In 2017, the GAO found that the median price charged nationally by air
ambulance providers was around $36,400 for helicopter rides and even
higher for other aircraft. The total generally includes the costs for
both the transportation and the medical care aboard the aircraft.
Since nearly three-quarters of flights are for patients insured by
low-paying Medicare, Tricare and Medicaid, he says, "providers must
shift costs to insured patients."
Yet private insurers usually will pay only an amount close to what
Medicare reimburses, which is around $6,500. That gives air ambulance
companies an incentive to remain out of network, according to a 2017
GAO report.
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