Air Ambulance Service
States are responsible for regulating the medical services provided by air ambulance operators and the insurance issues related to those services. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has limited authority under the Airline Deregulation Act to regulate the prices, routes, or services of an air carrier, including an air ambulance operator, in air transportation. However, DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection may pursue enforcement action against air ambulance operators who engage in unfair and deceptive practices. Complaints and comments related to those perceived practices may be submitted to the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection using on-line complaint form. Complaints are reviewed to determine whether an air ambulance is in compliance with federal law enforced by the Department protecting the rights of air travel consumers. Complaints are also used to track trends or spot areas of concern that serve as the basis for rulemaking, legislation, and research.
Air Ambulance Complaints
Provided below is a list of consumer complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation against air ambulance operators since January 2020.
|
January 2020 |
Air Medical Group D/B/A Reach Air Ambulance |
2 |
|
Air Methods |
1 | |
|
Air Methods D/B/A Rocky Mountain Holdings |
1 | |
| February 2020 | Air Medical Group D/B/A Trans-Med | 1 |
| Air Methods | 1 | |
| EagleMed | 1 | |
| PhiAir Medical | 2 | |
| Saras Air Rescue | 1 | |
| March 2020 | Air Medical Group D/B/A Air Evac | 1 |
| Air Medical Group D/B/A Med-Trans | 2 | |
| Air Medical Group D/B/A Reach | 1 | |
| Air Methods D/B/A Rocky Mountain Holdings | 2 | |
| April 2020 | AirEvac | 1 |
| MedTrans | 1 | |
| LifeFlight | 1 | |
| CareFlight | 1 | |
|
May 2020 |
NONE | 0 |
| June 2020 | Air Evac Lifeteam D/B/A Air Evac | 1 |
| Air Methods | 1 | |
| Hawaii Life Flight | 1 |
Air Ambulance Complaint Data for Previous Years:
Air Ambulance and Patient Billing Advisory Committee
On October 5, 2018, President Trump signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (FAA Act), Pub. L. No. 115-254, 132 Stat. 3186 (2018). Section 418 of the FAA Act requires the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to establish an advisory committee to review options to improve the disclosure of charges and fees for air medical services, better inform consumers of insurance options for such services, and protect consumers from balance billing. The Department intends to establish a Federal advisory committee to be known as the Air Ambulance and Patient Billing Advisory Committee (AAPB Advisory Committee) to carry out the requirements of Section 418 of the FAA Act. More information on the AAPB Advisory Committee can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/AAPB.