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01/17/2006: "MedVac Flights May Resume"

Thanks to SJC citizens and officials, Washington state may once again allow the selling of "subscriptions" for MedVac (Air Ambulance) flights. A Senate bill (SB 6231), originating in San Juan County, may pass in the current legislative session.

Islanders may remember that the subscriptions used to be available for island families to purchase at $50 to $100 per year that would entitled them to be transported by a MedVac flight, if the need arose. This came to an end when the State Insurance Commissioner's office rendered an opinion that the selling of subscriptions was, for all intents and purposes, an insurance product. Under that ruling, air ambulance companies would have to meet State insurance rules, but meeting the requirements proved to be cost prohibitive, and the offering of a subscription program was dropped.

As a result of the ruling, Commissioner John Evans and Orcas resident Joan Berkowitz urged State Senator Spanel to introduce a bill in the last session that would have allowed the subscription service to be offered as a non-insurance product. It was determined that before any change was made, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner would conduct a study on the proposal, and make a report back to the legislature.

It now appears that the current session of the State Legislature will pass Senate Bill 6231, allowing Washington State private air ambulance companies to once again offer annual family membership subscriptions to cover the costs of emergency air ambulance services. Costs of emergency medical helicopter flights typically range from $8,000 to $10,000, or more, per event. Even those with good insurance coverage usually have additional out of pocket costs for this critical service.

The Insurance Commissions report, supporting the opportunity for subscription service, was delivered to the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing and Consumer Protection in Olympia last Thursday. Former County Commissioner, John Evans, former Orcas EMS Director, Garth Eimers, and San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord were present to testify in favor of the Senate bill. In his testimony, Commissioner Evans recognized the very helpful support of the Washington Association of Counties, fellow Orcas proponent, Joan Berkowitz and the two Washington State based air ambulance provider organizations.