The reviewer suggested that Shapiros decision to fly all the home put him at unnecessary risk. When a seriously ill child needs air transport, parents dont hesitate to take the flight. When a lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, theyre agreeing to accept a fixed percentage of any monetary rewards from your lawsuit to cover their legal fees. Evidence-based guidance. Am I responsible for the whole thing? Shapiro wondered. In addition, the report said, the median price charged by air ambulance providers was about $36,400 for a helicopter and $40,600 for an airplane transport, typically used for longer trips. There, Shapiro took another boat to the largest island, Tortola. A representative, Ian Probst, researched their policy and determined Shapiro was covered for air transportation and all medical needs, according to the lawsuit. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Consumer Reports noted the average cost for a U.S. air ambulance topped $50,000 in 2016. 1. Things got worse when the air ambulance then billed his insurance -- which denied coverage -- for a whopping $656,063. Flying someone from a distant island is bound to be more expensive than an average domestic flight. Suite 5100 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, US Get directions Central. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". But doctors said they couldnt do the tests needed to make sure there wasnt something worse. You couldnt stand up in it., Grateful that his condition wasnt worse, Shapiro said he expected Excellus to challenge the bill. View on Westlaw or start a FREE TRIAL today, Humana wins dismissal of air ambulance company's underpayment suit, Secondary Sources, Enter to open, tab to navigate, enter to select, https://content.next.westlaw.com/Document/I8b318b793d9911e89bf099c0ee06c731/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default), Humana wins dismissal of air ambulance company's underpayment suit, Briefs and Other Related Documents (Back to Top). Thumbnails Document Outline Attachments Layers. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Dont waityou could miss your chance to get fully reimbursed. At 5 pounds 4 ounces, she was just big enough for doctors to operate. Members of the certified class receive compensation based on what the court decides. The issue is more accurately a surprise lack of insurance coverage for a medical emergency, especially for those patients that have private insurance, the statement said. Shapiro said that he has notes proving medical necessity from doctors on the British Virgin Islands, from the air ambulance company and from his own cardiologist at St. Josephs Hospital Health Center. There, Shapiro took another boat to the largest island, Tortola. Medevac 111 Whiskey Bravo requests new destination. The company is part of a global medevac network, empowering REVA to arrange for private medical air transportation from virtually any point on the planet to the U.S. and elsewhere. REVA Air Ambulance's roots date back to 1996 when the company Aerojet was founded. The main hospital was still half-closed following Hurricane Maria in September 2017, which had heavily damaged Tortola before decimating Puerto Rico, he said. Ed White, the lawyer representing Ms. Pence, said his practice currently has about 100 clients who received large, unexpected bills from air ambulance companies. REVA sets the standard in the air-ambulance industry by providing the highest level of medical professionals on all services. REVA Air Ambulance company's worldwide jet fleet is grounded today in observance of one of its youngest captains funeral, which comes in the wake of his tragic, headline news-making car crash on South Floridas Interstate 95. But they werent told was how much it was going to cost. They did a phenomenal job transporting our son from Cancun Mexico to the Cleveland Clinic in Weston Florida! Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The company is headquartered at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, FL. REVA could technically go after Shapiro personally. With that belief, Robert Shapiro said he contacted REVA for transport off the island to Syracuse, via Fort Lauderdale. He shrugged off the initial denial as what insurance companies do.. REVAs mission is to provide safe, efficient, compassionate, air-ambulance transportation across the country, and overseas, to every patient we take into our care. But Excellus is citing the $656,063 figure in denying any payment at all, he said. Ms. Pence is one of the lead plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit filed in July against Air Methods and Rocky Mountain Holdings. Theres a trip insurance industry that promises to pay for such emergencies, on cruise ships and in foreign lands. We work with stakeholders, caregivers and family members to ensure the smoothest and most cost-effective transport possible. Im still hoping itll get resolved, he said. Its unclear if REVA ever pursued the remaining bill of $317,884. DeWitt, NY A 61-year-old DeWitt man feared hed die after suffering a heart attack aboard a cruise ship more than 1,000 miles from a Florida port. Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. It began in the age of enlightment (renaissance). But in a case where every second counts due to a catastrophic medical issue, the minutes saved by going via helicopter could save your life. Indeed, a 2021 report published by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that for those that are privately insured, over 50 per cent of air ambulance trips are out-of-network (OON), which inherently results in surprise bills. Engineering a 'more competitive healthcare system' The insurer has not yet responded in court, but their explanations were contained in Shapiros court filings. This problem is happening all over the country. may be available from PACER. Shapiro argues that the insurer should, at minimum, pay for his flight to Fort Lauderdale. At the time, we thought it was life and death, Shapiro told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard recently. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. After arriving in Syracuse, a ground ambulance rushed Shapiro to St. Josephs Hospital Health Center, where he got good news: there was no artery blockage. The Silvys had medical insurance with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield through Mr. Silvys employer. Kall tried to describe his clients predicament in a September 2018 letter. Doctors on the 24,000-person island worried he might have a blocked artery, which could cause stroke or worse, Shapiro said. So, companies are paying high costs to maintain these helicopters, but there is more supply than demand. . REVA, Inc. and its air-ambulance services are licensed by U.S. and international agencies including U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (Certificate #O2JA595N Operated by REVA 1. Looking at the event through the retrospectoscope is all wrong. I wanted to be near my cardiologist, he said. Your email address will not be published. REVAs fleet includes 16 dedicated air-ambulance aircraft maintained to specifications that routinely exceed FAA-approved aircraft inspection programs. And more importantly, theres not really any recourse for consumers who feel they have been unfairly charged. In some cases, we will appeal decisions to provide the best coverage. The jury was evidently furious that the decision to bring the patient to the first hospital was motivated by money instead of the best interests of the patient. And REVA, the air ambulance that flew Shapiro, billed for more than a half-million dollars in a similar fight in 2017. We needed a higher level of care right away., [If you have a premature baby, read NYT Parentings guide on what to expect in the NICU and how to cope during your babys stay. I just think its wrong, said Ms. Williamson. Air ambulance companies know they have patients over a barrel when doctors or first responders recommend an emergency flight. McIntyre Law levels the playing field, putting our experienced, strategic attorneys on your side. Not to mention the $600,000(-plus) bill hanging over my head.. Matt Baumgartner wins first-impression lawsuit limiting excessive air ambulance fees. That doesnt make any sense.. (877) 917-5250. Reauthorization Act, which established an advisory committee to create rules that will help protect customers of air ambulance providers. In retrospect, Shapiro said, the air ambulance bill might have an even bigger impact on his life than the heart attack. REVA will always be my first and only choice for air medical evacuation, without hesitation. Roger Medevac 111 Whisky Bravo is cleared to Heaven with an unrestricted and unlimited climb., Pilot: porsche cayman 987 bodykit; efficiencies for rent in riverview, fl. He thinks its a ploy by the company to settle with Excellus. 27 Westlaw Journal Insurance Coverage 02. It merged with Air Ambulance Professions in 2013 to form REVA Air Ambulance. (800) 752-4195. He thinks its a ploy by the company to settle with Excellus. Even though there was an air ambulance already en route, the patient was first transported by ambulance to the other hospital only to be sent on anyway to the trauma center. As discussed more here, two of the air ambulance lawsuitsby AAMS and PHI Healthadditionally challenge an interim final rule on the methodology to calculate the QPA for air ambulances. | The Horth- Ch The doctor immediately put him on a gurney and arranged a short boat ride to the British Virgin Islands. Kendal Stoltz REVA Air Ambulance 954-730-9300 KStoltz(at)FlyReva(dot)com The letter rebutted the various points she had made in her complaint, including her assertion that the company inflates its prices. EMS Flight Safety Network is The People Who Keep Air Medical Safe. That November day in 2016, 10 hours after her birth, Piper was airlifted from Tulsa to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, about 90 miles away. By then, Shapiro said he felt even worse. Shapiros emergency ambulance ride wasnt medically necessary. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Humana wins dismissal of air ambulance company's underpayment suit Reva Inc. v. Humana Health Benefit Plan . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. An official website of the United States government Here's how you know. If you or someone in your family has been overbilled for an air ambulance, you need more than just the bill to file a lawsuit. Patients and their families get caught in the middle.. REVA's team exudes professionalism and competence in my humble opinion. The insurance company, which had already balked at paying for Shapiros trip, sent him a notice insisting he faced the bill for two-thirds of a million dollars. Im still hoping itll get resolved, he said. Get Directions. People are having their savings drained and credit ruined by these companies. That leaves those on private insurance with exorbitant bills to make up the difference, a trade group president told Consumer Reports in 2017. REVA Accepts most major insurance. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. How much do REVA employees make? Were on a cruise, in the middle of an island. LIV JETS, LLC, Jacobo Adolpho Artieda Bercovici, LivJets and Jacob Bercovici, US District Court for the Southern District of Florida. 20182023 McIntyre Law, P.C. As the industry has grown, the number of air ambulance helicopters has risen. With 16 medically-equipped aircraft & bases across the US and Ireland, REVA is the largest fixed-wing. Thats when Shapiros wife, Patricia, said she called Blue Cross Blue Shield Global. With strategic partnerships, such as Directional Aviation, Flexjet and Tropic Ocean, REVA brings an expansive fleet and range of services to best meet our patients' needs no matter where they are in the world. In retrospect, Shapiro said, the air ambulance bill might have an even bigger impact on his life than the heart attack. REVA then billed the doctors employer, the University of Vermont Medical Center, for $536,000, according to a news account. REVA, Inc. - an air ambulance operator for MedjetAssist, an indirect air carrier. N990LC. Thank you so much! In October, Congress passed the F.A.A. Can A Laicized Priest Receive Communion, and some doctors, fearful of lawsuits due to a delay in care, resort to that option too often, Vercruysse says. That reviewer -- an unnamed medical doctor certified in cardiovascular medicine -- agreed the flight wasnt medically necessary. Im going to sign whatever they give me to get going.. Shapiro said an Excellus rep had promised beforehand that the air ambulance bill would be covered. If you get stuck with a high air-ambulance bill, industry experts and consumer advocates say there are things you can do. In late May, Shapiro filed a lawsuit against Excellus on two fronts: demanding the insurer repay him $36,000 for his out-of-pocket air ambulance fee and to expunge the $656,063 bill. Merge Dragons Cloud Land 3, Excellus defended its denial in a number of appeals filed by Shapiro -- all of which sided with the insurer. That started with a $36,000 retainer fee to REVA air ambulance, which Shapiro willingly paid with his credit card after calling his insurance company. [arrows style=arrow-red-11.png align=left]. We dont get paid until you do. The insurance company argued that Shapiros air ambulance wasnt necessary in the first place. 5100 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL United States 33309 Tel: 954-730-9300, 800-752-4195 Fax: 954-485-6564 Email: moc.averylf@enobrecd 12 Class Action Lawsuit jobs available on Indeed.com. He said the second half of the trip from Fort Lauderdale to Syracuse came down to a personal decision he made with his doctor back home. The Company offers registered flight nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and physicians on aircraft equipped for medical. But they had limitations: no cardiologist, no catheterization lab.. Therefore, our Medical Director determined that your air ambulance ride was not medically necessary.. The company anticipates resuming normal flight operations on Wednesday. He and his wife were aboard, along with two medical professionals and one or two pilots, he said. My reaction was, uh oh, I think we're in trouble! We are acutely aware of and sympathetic to the stress and financial difficulties large or unexpected medical bills cause many patients not just those that require emergency air transports, Mr. Flanders said. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Whether you need medical attention domestic or abroad, REVA provides medical transportation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Shapiro says they were told of no limitations on where he could go for treatment. But if you were there at the time, and all the doctors were saying take it, and you took the extra steps of calling just to make sure this didnt happen, its amazing this did happen.. Im going to sign whatever they give me to get going.. That doesnt make any sense.. On this week's Short Final Funding for Airports under the new Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, a busy month for the Irish Community Rapid Response Air Ambulance He continued, Reva chose Shannon as its European base in order to establish a foothold in a part of the world with fewer air-ambulance and medical transport service options. Its fleet includes 12 Series 35. But, that still doesnt account for the $40,000 bills that some patients have received for their transport costs. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. But doctors said they couldnt do the tests needed to make sure there wasnt something worse. In late May, Shapiro filed a lawsuit against Excellus on two fronts: demanding the insurer repay him $36,000 for his out-of-pocket air ambulance fee and to expunge the $656,063 bill. Government As a result, REVA is now considered a NAAMTA Alliance member. No other vehicles were involved in the 3:15 AM early morning crash, last Thursday. The company operates 15 medivac aircraft. From the time you contact us to the time we reach our final destination, REVA takes care of everything with precision and compassion. He's gonna want to fly! And fly he did.. For now, Excellus hasnt paid REVA a dime and REVA hasnt billed Shapiro directly, he said, citing insurance statements. Receive email updates about the latest in Safety, Innovation, and Infrastructure. But they had limitations: no cardiologist, no catheterization lab.. Christina Wray, the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against PHI, received a bill for $57,374 in 2015 for a flight from Taos, N.M., to Albuquerque after being exposed to carbon monoxide from a faulty heater, the lawsuit said. Texas Air Ambulance Service Aero Med Express provides air ambulance and medical jet services to and from Texas for patients requiring a medical air transfer. I would recommend them to anyone! And if these operators dont have a contract with a commercial insurance company, they can essentially charge whatever they want. How can you even turn that down?. But the reviewer did rule that an air ambulance off the island was medically warranted. View job description, responsibilities and qualifications. A new single-engine helicopter that is equipped as an ambulance can cost $4 million to purchase, and the cost of each flight could be between $7,400 and $10,000. Our experienced lawyers have studied this issue and can tell you if your costs can be recovered. McIntyre Law is assembling a class-action lawsuit for air ambulance overbilling. Patrick Brent Gustin grew-up in Whitney, TX. Shapiros emergency ambulance ride wasnt medically necessary. ], Families Fight Back Against Surprise Air Ambulance Bills, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/17/parenting/air-ambulance-bills.html.