Air Evac Lifeteam encourages membership in Franklin County
By Staff
Rebecca Walker, Franklin County Times
Franklin County residents will have the opportunity to learn more about and sign up for membership with Air Evac Lifeteam over the next few weeks.
Matt Schichtle, Air Evac's membership coordinator for the area, will be available at different sites within the county.
Franklin County residents can opt for an additional $5 monthly charge on their utility bill to pay for membership costs. Membership fees with AirEvac are $60 a year for a three or more member household.
On Thursday, May 24, Schichtle will be available at the Red Bay Utility Office from 1 to 4 p.m. The following day, residents can find him at the Russellville Utility Office from 1 to 4 p.m. as well.
On Sunday, May 27 and Monday, May 28, Schichtle will be set up at Wal-Mart from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. He will return to the Red Bay Utility Office on Wednesday, May 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Franklin County residents can sign up for membership with Air Evac at these times.
The Air Evac Lifeteam serves as a local air ambulance service. The system works with 911 and the local Emergency Medical Service.
"There are no trauma units in this area," Schichtle said. "There is a 'golden hour' in medical care. Trauma patients need to receive initial care during the first 60 minutes. Our service increases the chances of the patient receiving that care in time. If they have to wait much longer, the outcome is not very good, usually."
Members of Air Evac are privy to several benefits. According to Schichtle, an airlift in a trauma situation usually costs between $10,000 and $12,000.
"Insurance companies usually cover 50-60 percent of that cost," said Schichtle. "The patient is left to foot the rest of the bill. With AirEvac, there is no bill to the patient. The insurance company is still billed, but the patient it taken care of.
"Our mission is to serve rural areas where there is a need for our services," he said. "The flight volume has gone up dramatically for Alabama in the past few months. The six-county area that I cover is flying an average one-and-a-half people a day. The mindset about helicopter airlifts is finally changing."
Another benefit for members is local hospital airlift. If a member goes to a local hospital, and the hospital staff decide to transfer them to Birmingham, Huntsville, or another larger hospital, the same pay arrangement as in a trauma airlift applies. The patient does not receive a bill.
According to Schichtle, only 3 to 4 percent of medical airlifts are members of AirEvac currently.
"AirEvac is community-based. We want to stay in a good relationship with the community and not strap big bills on the community," he said.
More infromation can be found on page A-8
