Choppers in Yos April 27, 2013

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SuperDoug

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Apr 29, 2013 - 10:26pm PT
I guess that explains my $41,500 bill for 2 hours of flight time out of the ditch last year.

Vegas - Im surprised to hear that you were presented a bill for a rescue. I guess I thought rescues were still covered by the state/fed agencies with jurisdiction. I'd be curious to hear more if you are willing to share. Glad it ended well enough that you are posting here at least.
WBraun

climber
Apr 29, 2013 - 10:56pm PT
Seems like they were still looking for someone?


No

There were 3 reconnaissance flights in the beginning.

Then 2 flights to lower two rescue medics.

Then 1 flight to hoist the injured.

Then 2 more flights to hoist the 2 remaining rescue medics back to LZ.

Then one more flight for CHP to go back home to Sacramento .....
GhoulweJ

Trad climber
El Dorado Hills, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2013 - 11:04pm PT
Vegas,
If your up for it, I think many of us would be interested in how you ended up with a bill for the ride.

If you just don't want to talk about it, no worries.

Glad your still here to talk about it.




And yes, way to go YOSAR, blah, hero, blah, amazing ;)
WBraun

climber
Apr 29, 2013 - 11:06pm PT
He did not get the bill from the rescue.

He got the bill from Med Flight and hospital charges .....
GhoulweJ

Trad climber
El Dorado Hills, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2013 - 11:20pm PT
That seems like a bunch of work for a mess up.

Werner, if I screw up its okay to leave me for the bears.

Just sayin'. Enjoy ur dinner, don't let my stupidity disrupt things. I'm good.
Vegasclimber

Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
Apr 29, 2013 - 11:23pm PT
Werner is correct; the 41k is for the helo ride from the Meadow. The other medical bills ran over 6k. The bill from SAR was $900 for the medical (putting in a pic line and starting an IV I am guessing.) In any case, right now I am preparing for bankruptcy from that little adventure.

Ghoul, there is a thread on what happened. Long story short, I was jugging the first pitch of New Dawn and had a seizure. The thread is here:

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1935278/Jon-Fox-YOSAR-PTPP-thanks-for-saving-my-life

Back to topic, well done to YOSAR as always. My team just closed a case we have been working for a year, finally located the remains of a homicide victim. Glad we could bring some closure to the family.
GhoulweJ

Trad climber
El Dorado Hills, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2013 - 11:39pm PT
Vegasclimber
Sorry to hear how this is playing out for you.
We have flaws in our systems and you right in the middle of one of them.

I'm sure the family of the one you found is greatful for the closure that your discovery brings them.
SuperDoug

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Apr 30, 2013 - 12:14am PT
Werner - thanks for clearing up the details. That makes more sense.

Vegas - thank you for sharing your story, and again, glad you are here to tell it. Hope you gain some relief with the bills brother.
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Apr 30, 2013 - 09:41am PT
$41k for a med evac? I'd like to know how that breaks down.

Also, would AAC insurance cover this sort of thing?
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Apr 30, 2013 - 09:52am PT
Yes it appears the AAC insurance can help cover that. But not the whole 40k worth.

http://americanalpineclub.org/p/insurance

Vegasclimber

Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
Apr 30, 2013 - 12:22pm PT
John, I asked the same thing. The air medic company refused to give me a breakdown.

When they called for their money - "Would you like to pay with your credit card, Sir?" lmfao - I asked them for a bill breakdown. The response I got was "You were given a breakdown."

No, what you gave me was a bill for 2.5 hours of flight time. I want the FULL breakdown. "Sorry Sir, that's all we can provide you." Really?

So apparently, they are telling someone who was a pilot and A&P, and who is currently a first responder, that it costs 41.5K to pay for fuel, maintenance, pay the pilot and medic, etc. Bullsh#t. Now don't get me wrong - if it was a reasonable amount I would do my best to pay it. They deserve to be paid. But 41.5K? That's more then I make gross in a year.
F them, bankruptcy time and they don't get a dime.
Risk

Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
Apr 30, 2013 - 12:42pm PT
Tell whoever it that called that you don't give credit card info over the phone and to send you the bill. Almost sounds like a scam.
Melissa

Gym climber
berkeley, ca
Apr 30, 2013 - 01:00pm PT
Wow, Vegasclimber. That story makes me want to have some sort of advanced directive tattooed on me saying that I should get slow-boated to medical care unless I'm going to expire within the hour.
Gimp

Trad climber
Grand Junction
Apr 30, 2013 - 02:49pm PT
Vegasclimber's experience is pretty common. During the decade and a half I spent as a surgeon at a level I trauma center it was not unusual for me to write letters on behalf of insured patients sent by air transport from small ED's who did not need that form of transport. I would try to explain on the patients behalf that they (the patient) did not make the transport decision. Insurance companies would see the diagnostic and procedure codes and deem air transport unnecessary.
Also saw many people with property liens against them by medical transport companies for outstanding bills.
In addition, during the time of no fault when $50,000 was up for grabs on a first come first serve basis most air transport companies would bill while the patient was in the air and there would be no funds available for definitive care.
Traumacare is definitely not an altruistic business!!
Steve
Messages 21 - 34 of total 34 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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