Monday, July 7th
2025 Medical Evacuation Reviews
AirMedCare Network
- Choose from 3 tiers of service: Air Ambulance, Ground Ambulance, and Fly-U-Home
- Membership covers all people living in the same household
- Serves 320 locations in 38 states for Air Ambulance starting at $99/year
- Discounts available for members age 60+
- International package available starting at $365/year
- Over 3 million members
AirMedCare Network is the largest air ambulance membership system in the United States. More than 3 million people have chosen this coverage, which spans 320 locations in 38 states. Partners in the network include Air Evac Lifeteam, Guardian Flight, Med-Trans Corporation, REACH Air Medical Services, and many others.
Ground ambulance coverage in some Oregon locations
There are three types of coverage provided by AirMedCare Network: Air Ambulance, Fly-U-Home, and Ground Ambulance. We'll start with the last one, because it's currently only offered in Oregon. Service is provided through FireMed, but we weren't able to get the site to give us a quote for the OR addresses we entered because of the extremely limited service area even within Oregon. You'll pay $50 for a one-year plan, $100 for two years, and $1000 for a lifetime membership. Given the limitations, we feel pretty confident saying that you might as well skip that part of AMCN's membership options.
Air ambulance coverage starting at $99/year
Air Ambulance is the service that most people think of when medical evacuations come to mind. You can access a 1-year plan for $99 (or just $79 if you're age 60+), three years for $249 (or $199 for 60+), or a 5-year membership for $399 (just $299 for 60+). One benefit of AMCN's plans is that they cover all household members living under one roof; undergraduate college students are also included under parents' memberships.
Benefits only apply when medevac is with a network provider
However, you should understand that you rarely have any say-so about who transports you in the event of an emergency. If first responders find you unresponsive by the side of the road after a car accident, you'll be transported by whichever service they choose. Any AirMedCare coverage comes in after the fact: if you're "lucky” enough that your helicopter flight or ambulance ride happened to be with one of their network partners, your coverage will kick in. If not? Too bad, you're on the hook for the full bill. As AMCN puts it, "Dispatch decisions are controlled by emergency medical personnel, and membership does not guarantee that you will be transported by an AMCN provider.”
Fly-U-Home is most like traditional medevac coverage
The last tier of packages is AirMedCare Network's Fly-U-Home service, which may be a little more like what you're expecting when you search for a medical evacuation plan. This offers medical transport from one hospital to another and comes with coverage just in the lower 48 states or internationally (which also includes Alaska and Hawaii). Starting at $159/year for the continental US plan and $365 for the international membership, you'll get bedside-to-bedside, non-emergency medical transportation, up to two flights per year. You may be able to transport a friend or family member with you, but that's not guaranteed.
Know the coverage areas where you plan to travel
You'll want to look at their coverage map for any of the memberships you're considering, so that you'll know how likely it is that your medical evacuation will be with one of AirMedCare Network's partners. For example, you'll be completely out of luck if you need air ambulance service in Idaho (at least, if you want it covered by your AMCN benefits), while Fly-U-Home is offered nationwide (but not available for purchase by residents of AK, HI, ND, WV, or WY).
Big drawbacks in the terms and conditions
AirMedCare Network has only received a "B-” grade from the Better Business Bureau. That lower-than-average rating is for failing to respond to just one of the four complaints filed against the medical evacuation service, which seems a little drastic to us. But, reading through those complaints, we became concerned that clients may sign up for a membership here, only to find out that their local affiliate has gone out of business. That was the case for more than one client whose feedback we found. Another said that they didn't realize that the terms of the contract at AirMedCare state that they'd be taken to the nearest trauma center, rather than the facility of their choice. That's a big disadvantage compared to many of the other evacuation providers on our list, especially for one client who needed to be seen strictly in VA-affiliated hospitals.
Not very reassuring that you'll get what you paid for
All of this leaves us not feeling terribly reassured that our membership here would actually wind up being worth something. There are an awful lot of parameters, exclusions, and, let's face it, random chance stipulations involved in determining whether or not the AirMedCare Network would pay for a medical evacuation. There are other options out there that don't feel quite so roll-the-dice, so we've ranked AMCN pretty low on our list.
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Which Medical Evacuation Service is the Best?
Medical evacuation services have gained significant popularity due to the critical role they play in ensuring timely and efficient transport of patients needing urgent medical care. This rise in popularity is due to a number of factors that emphasize the importance of accessibility, advanced medical care, and global reach in emergency situations.
Imagine you're trekking through a dense jungle in Southeast Asia when you slip and severely twist your ankle. Stranded in a remote location with no immediate medical aid, you activate your emergency beacon. Within hours, a specialized medical evacuation team arrives by helicopter, transporting you to the nearest advanced medical facility for treatment.
Medical Evacuation FAQ
Continued from above...
Of course, most of us don't live such exciting lives. But, medical evacuation might still be a necessity: you might be on a business trip in a different town when you experience sudden chest pain, or perhaps you're on a cruise in the Caribbean and you break your arm getting on the tender to the port. If the local hospital lacks the necessary facilities and expertise to address your condition adequately, having medical evacuation coverage can get you transportation to a renowned cardiac center in a nearby city or back home to the States for surgery on your arm in a facility you trust (and in a language you speak).
One of the biggest reasons for the popularity of medical evacuation services is the critical need for rapid response in medical emergencies. When people suffer severe injuries or illnesses in remote or inaccessible locations, the ability to quickly transport them to advanced medical facilities can be life-saving. Medical evacuation services provide a vital lifeline, ensuring that patients receive immediate attention and are moved to appropriate care centers with minimal delay.
Additionally, the level of care provided during medical evacuations is a key factor in their appeal. These evacuation services are often equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed by highly trained medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics who specialize in critical care transport. This can ensure that patients receive continuous and specialized medical attention throughout the journey, bridging the gap between the site of the emergency and the healthcare facility.
Medical evacuation providers offer crucial services for individuals who encounter medical emergencies while traveling, typically transporting a patient from one location to another, often from a remote or under-equipped medical facility to a more advanced one, or even back home.. These services can be purchased as standalone memberships or policies, or they can be bundled with travel insurance policies offered by insurers.
How can you determine which type of medical evacuation coverage is right for you, and from which provider? There's a lot to keep in mind, but here are a few ways you can compare your options and make your choice:
- Coverage area. Consider where you frequently travel. Providers may offer global coverage or have limitations based on regions or countries. Ensure your chosen provider covers the areas you visit most. Also look into whether the provider is networked with other evacuation services for greater coverage.
- Medical services provided. Evaluate the range of medical services offered. This includes emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains in case of death, medical referrals, and assistance in locating appropriate medical facilities.
- Transportation options. Look into the transportation options available. Providers may offer air ambulances, ground ambulances, or even commercial flights with medical personnel onboard. The speed and level of medical care during transportation can vary.
- Coverage limits and exclusions. Understand the coverage limits and exclusions of the policy. Some providers may impose restrictions on pre-existing conditions or adventurous activities like extreme sports.
- Cost and value. Compare the cost of coverage against the value of services provided. While affordability is important, prioritize comprehensive coverage over low premiums, especially considering the potentially high costs of medical evacuation. One way that some companies add value is through additional benefits like coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, transportation for travel companions, or even returning your vehicle to your home.
- Reputation. Be sure to consider what other clients say about the medical evacuation provider. Is there ample evidence that they'll come through for you in your time of need? Can you rest assured that you'll be able to reach someone 24/7 and get a quick response time?
Medical emergencies can be unpredictable, but having reliable evacuation coverage can give you a lot of peace of mind while traveling. To help you choose the right plan and provider, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have meticulously researched and ranked some of today's most popular medevac options. Use this information to get the protection you need for your next adventure!
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