In a message dated 9/12/2004 8:37:54 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
cstiles@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
While up at Tevis I asked the Calstar rep. how
they justify their $10,500 fee, which I just paid for my life-flight in June,
because quite frankly, even though you are paying for the nurses, pilot and
chopper upkeep, that's still monetarily equivalent to a few flights to Hawaii
for a large family. I was told that the actual cost of operation was only
about $1500 per flight ,but because they have a 40% non-collection rate they
have to charge the insurance's that "do" pay $10,500, to make up for all the
private people who don't pay because they don't have health
insurance.
Carol
Plus, my dearest buddy Carol, your ride entailed a bit more than some do, I
expect. When they won't haul your buns out of the mountains via regular
ambulance because you won't make it to the hospital alive, the heli ride was
well worth the $10,500 fee. I want to see you around a bit longer. Love,
Beccy
