In the U.S., the 15-Minute Air Evacuation of a Newborn Exceeded $100,000
According to ABC7 Bay Area, an emergency medical evacuation in California has once again brought the high costs of air ambulance services into the spotlight.
As reported by ABC7 Bay Area, in October 2022, a newborn baby who had sustained burns was forced to be transferred by helicopter due to the lack of a burn unit and suitable ground ambulance at the hospital. On the day of the incident, because the baby’s condition was unstable and doctors deemed road transport too risky, a 15-minute air ambulance operation was carried out. The helicopter transported the injured baby and family to the nearest burn treatment center in the region. After landing, the baby was transferred by ground ambulance from the helipad to a section only one kilometer from the hospital entrance.
Air ambulance service: approximately $90,000Short-distance ground ambulance service: $10,200It was reported that the total cost exceeded $100,000, and even after insurance coverage, the family still faced a payment of around $65,000.
Following ABC7 Bay Area’s intervention, the healthcare providers involved canceled all the bills.
