 FAQ
WHAT
is AirCare?
Airlift Northwest AirCare was developed to provide communities
in Alaska and Washington with high-quality air medical service
at the most affordable cost. While Medicare and some insurance
policies may provide partial coverage for air ambulance transport
charges, many do not.
HOW
does AirCare work?
Under the AirCare program, when Airlift Northwest is requested
by a medical facility or an emergency response team to fly
a critically ill or injured patient to appropriate medical
care, the portion of the Airlift Northwest bill that isn’t
covered by insurance or Medicare is paid through the membership.
The membership covers both fixed-wing and rotary-wing transport
in Washington state and fixed-wing transport in Alaska. Ground
ambulance transport is not included.
HOW
much does membership cost?
A one-year membership in AirCare is $79 and covers all members
of a household. A 24-month membership is $155.
HOW
does Airlift Northwest AirCare define membership for a household?
Airlift Northwest understands how varied the typical family
is now. Anyone residing in your household 50% of the year
is covered under this benefit—mother, father, grandparents,
older children, etc. Household members are defined as permanent
residents of the same dwelling/noncommercial residence living
together as part of a family unit. This does not include roomers
or boarders. The first person listed on the application form
is designated as the primary member.
HOW
does someone signup for AirCare?
To enroll in AirCare, just complete a membership form (available
on the Web here and in each brochure).
Or call 1-888-835-1599 or e-mail membership@airliftnw.org.
New member benefits take effect three (3) business days after
our receipt of a completed enrollment form with payment.
Can
someone give an AirCare membership as a gift?
An AirCare membership can be a great gift for a loved one
living in an out-of-the-way location or on Washington’s
many islands. Some people have chosen to give AirCare memberships
each year for birthdays, Mother’s/Father’s Day
or Christmas.
How
do I know which membership program to choose?
Experience counts. Be sure to research how long the flight
program has been in business. What kind of experience does
it have? Airlift Northwest has been in business for over 25
years. It is affiliated with the University of Washington
Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center and Seattle Children’s.
Our AirCare Membership program began in 2006 in Washington
and is now offered in Alaska after approval from the Alaska
Division of Insurance. Always check your own insurance policy
to see what is covered or not covered.
Do
you have to have insurance to buy a membership?
AirCare provides membership to any household whether insured
or not.
WHAT
happens if an AirCare member travels outside of Alaska or
Washington state?
Airlift Northwest AirCare is also a member of the Association
of Air Medical Membership Programs (AAMMP), so Airlift Northwest
AirCare membership benefits extend to reciprocal programs
in our region based in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and
Eastern Washington. This means that if you are a member of
Airlift Northwest AirCare, AAMMP members in other states will
honor that membership (subject to the terms of the honoring
member program) when transport is medically necessary. Some
of our reciprocal partners include:
- CALIFORNIA:
- CalStar (Hayward)
- Enloe FlightCare (Chico)
- IDAHO:
- Air St. Luke’s (Boise)
- Life Flight (Boise)
- Portneuf LifeFlight (Pocatello)
- Saint Alphonsus Life Flight (Boise)
- NEVADA:
- OREGON:
- AirLink Critical Care Transport (Bend)
- Life Flight Network (Portland)
- WASHINGTON:
- Northwest MedStar (Spokane)
- WYOMING:
- Wyoming Life Flight (Casper)
For customer service or more information,
please call, e-mail
or write to:
AIRLIFT NORTHWEST
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
6987 Perimeter Road South #110
Seattle, Washington 98108
1-888-835-1599
e-mail: membership@airliftnw.org
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