Without a doubt, medical transports can be expensive. For the most common service, ground transport by ambulance, the average cost was $1,189 in 2019. According to Allianz Travel, international medical evacuation costs can easily reach $100,000 or more. Medical evacuations are generally reserved for life-threatening emergencies. However, if a patient is not facing a life-threatening emergency, there are several low-cost medical transport options that will get a patient to a medical facility quickly and safely.
At SentinelMED, our team includes medical and logistics professionals who are experienced in emergency and travel medicine. Here are some things they consider when recommending and coordinating medical transports.
Factors to Consider When Weighing Low-Cost Medical Transport Options
How far does the patient need to travel? Distance traveled, and mode of travel are the biggest factors affecting the overall cost of medical transport. In a medical emergency, the biggest concern may be getting the patient to a medical facility as quickly as possible. However, if a patient's condition is stable, families may be able to take advantage of options that are a little slower but cost less and are more focused on the comfort of the patient. For example, a properly equipped medical transport van may be appropriate for in-state transport. For international transport, a patient may be able to travel by commercial airplane with a medical escort who can assist with mobility and medication.
Will the transport be domestic, international, or both? Domestic and international transport offer different sets of challenges and logistics. The remoteness of the area, language and cultural differences, access to airports, and the nearby availability of a medical facility all contribute to the cost of medical transport. These factors can also narrow the viable options for medical transport.
For example, if a patient needs urgent medical care while traveling in Berlin, they may be able to receive appropriate treatment at a nearby medical facility. Once their condition is stabilized, they may be able to use a commercial airline to travel back to the United States and a medical transport van or private car to reach an in-patient rehabilitation hospital.
What are the patient's medical needs? If a patient is able to sit up comfortably, they will have a greater number of low-cost medical transport options. Likewise, if their condition is stable, transport on a commercial airline with a medical escort is a much less expensive alternative to an air ambulance.
Does the patient have insurance coverage? According to the American Journal of Managed Care, the average charge for transport by an air ambulance in the United States topped $30,000 in 2020. A second survey from the same year found that transport by air ambulance cost patients around $21,000 on average – after their insurance paid out. For ground transportation, the average patient owed $550 after insurance.
The reason for the high bills? More than 70% of ambulance providers don’t take patient insurance. For non-emergency medical transport, checking with your insurance company about coverage can help patients and their families identify low-cost medical transport options.
Medical Transport Services from SentinelMED
SentinelMED can coordinate a range of medical transport options, including domestic and international medical transport, evacuation, and repatriation services, depending on a patient’s unique needs.
Our team can also arrange for medical escorts to accompany travelers and help them navigate long-distance travel on commercial airlines. Our escorts are physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and paramedics matched to patients according to their specific medical, cultural, native language, or religious needs.
The SentinelMED team understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
