•    WHAT IS AIR COMPASSION AMERICA® (ACAM)?

A 501(c)(3) non-profit patient advocacy/assistance organization established to help locate and coordinate bed-to-bed air ambulance services and/or medically assisted commercial travel. ACAM's purpose is to help patients and families through a difficult health crisis through compassionate counseling and working to lower air ambulance and medically assisted travel costs.  ACAM assists healthcare workers around the country by providing multiple resource options, and education throughout the process.

•    IS THERE A CHARGE FOR THE ACAM SERVICE?

ACAM receives no income from the medical transports arranged by the organization.  Income to cover ACAM expenses comes from various philanthropic sources.  Donations are always welcomed and at the present time are matched by a foundation on a dollar for dollar basis.

•    HOW DOES ACAM OPERATE?

A physician, social or medical worker, insurance company representative, family member or patient calls ACAM regarding the need for an air ambulance or other form of medically assisted transport.

    •  Phone:   866-270-9198   or   757-318-4318
    •  Fax:        757-318-9107
    •  Email:   
   
The ACAM staff obtains multiple service bids and discusses these with the patient-client.  Once  the client has selected a transport option, scheduling arrangements are made.  Arrangements  include (as needed) air ambulance staffed with appropriate medical personnel, bed-to-bed service, ground ambulance transport, medical escorts, and commercial airline tickets.  Medical staffing decisions and medical control of the transport rest with the selected air ambulance contractor.

•    HOW MUCH CAN A CLIENT EXPECT TO PAY FOR AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE AND RELATED GROUND AMBULANCE, OR MEDICALLY ASSISTED COMMERCIAL TRAVEL?

The cost for air ambulance fluctuates greatly depending on distance and type of aircraft used. Ground ambulance service on both ends of a transport can cost as much as $1,000.  Medically assisted commercial travel is much less expensive than air ambulance, but is dependent on the patient's condition.  ACAM has succeeded in saving clients 20% to 50% of the total transport cost.

•    WHAT SORT OF AIRCRAFT IS USED TO FLY PATIENTS?

An air ambulance is a chartered aircraft equipped as a mobile intensive care unit.  It carries life-support and monitoring equipment, oxygen, IV pumps, etc., and may be a jet, turbo-prop or multi-engine aircraft, depending on distance and flight time requirements. Prices will vary. All charter operators are Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate holders with Federal Aviation Administration oversight.
   
•    WHAT SORT OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL ARE ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT?

The air ambulance company's medical director makes staffing decisions based on the patient's condition and needs. The medical team could include specialists such as respiratory therapist, per fusionist, neo-natal team, etc.

•    DOES ACAM HANDLE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS?

Yes.

•    HOW ARE FLIGHT COSTS FUNDED?

The patient party is responsible to cover the costs before flight departure.  ACAM takes no commission or fee from monies paid for services. Service providers require advance payment as a condition of providing the transportation and associated medical services.