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What is Air Life of Oregon?
We are a medically urgent, air transport service based in Bend, Oregon, with a Bell 222UT helicopter and a Cessna 421 airplane (fixed-wing). When people are in accidents or have a medical emergency such as a heart attack, Air Life flies them to the nearest medically appropriate facility for timely treatment.
What Makes Air Life Different from Other Flight Programs?
Air Life adheres to stringent safety measures with our aircraft, and employs only the highest-trained personnel with vast experience in emergency medicine. We also offer a Membership Program and are one of the few in the nation to do so.
How Far and Fast
Do the Aircraft Fly?
Air Life generally keeps the 160mph helicopter within a 150-mile radius of Bend. The 225mph airplane may travel up to 600 miles.
Who Flies in the Aircraft?
Air Life is staffed with a pilot, a flight nurse and a respiratory therapist, all of whom have advanced emergency medical training. When needed, Air Life also employs perinatal (mother/baby) flight nurses.
Who Dispatches Air Life?
Air Life complements the work of 9-1-1 and ground ambulance, police and fire crews. Generally, these professionals request our services. Occasionally, individuals call Air Life directly, and are referred to the on-duty flight nurse to determine the patient's injuries or illness and location. It is preferable to work with the ground crews to secure a safe landing zone for the helicopter.
How Much Does a Flight Cost?
Helicopter flights average between $4,000- to $8,000; fixed-wing flights average $3,500.
Would I Be Taken to My Choice of Hospital?
Probably not. You would be flown to the nearest, medically appropriate facility. We are required by law to do so.
What Happens if the Helicopter is in Use, or the Weather Prohibits Flying?
Air Life's dispatchers then attempt to either use the fixed-wing or coordinate transport through another regional air transport service, assuming it's safe to fly with regard to weather.
How Many Patients Can Fly?
Air Life can carry two patients in the helicopter and one in the fixed-wing.
Who Pays for the Flight?
Air Life bills a patient's insurance(s), if any, and the balance is billed directly to the patient unless they are an Air Life Member.
What is the Air Life Membership Program?
For $45 annually, Air Life offers a Membership Plan that protects against out-of-pocket expenses should you require our services. As Members, if you, your spouse or dependent children under 23 required our help, we would bill your insurance (if any) and accept that payment as payment in full. If you do not have health insurance, Air Life would absorb the cost of the flight.
Members can renew annually, or can join just once as Lifetime Members for $1,000. Businesses can join for $40 per employee per year. Additionally, Gift Memberships are available.
The annual fee is not tax-deductible as the potential benefit outweighs the cost of the membership; however, donations above the annual fee are tax-deductible. What Other Benefits Will I Receive as an Air Life Member? Members receive membership cards, stickers and a subscription to our newsletter, Air Currents. Does Air Life Transport Non-Members? Absolutely. Air Life flies based on medical need, not ability to pay or membership status. Is Air Life Affiliated with Other Flight Programs?
Air Life enjoys a reciprocal partnership with LifeFlight of Portland and Boise, Idaho; Enloe Flight Care of Chico, California; and Mercy Air Ambulance of Redding, California.
Should you require the services of the above agencies during travel, for example, your Air Life Membership would be accepted. What If I Want to Be Taken to A Specific Hospital? If your transport isn't medically necessary (i.e., it's not an upgrade of care), it is considered a "convenience" flight. Most insurance companies will not pay for such transports; however, Air Life offers its members a discount on these flights. Does Air Life Provide Other Community Services? Yes. Air Life enjoys the support of over 120 volunteers throughout its service area, and offers continuing education and safety awareness programs to its communities. Where Can I Get More Information?
Call or write us at:
or click on Membership Information or
| Facts & Stats |
History |
Membership Information |
Membership Form | E-Mail vbartley 2500 NE Neff Road Bend, Oregon 97701 541-385-6305 800-522-2828 |
