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FAQs
An emergency air transport service, Air Life of
Oregon quickly reaches seriously ill or injured patients when they need
it most—when
their lives depend on it. The highly trained flight crew delivers patients
to the nearest appropriate medical facility. Air Life has flown more than
12,000 life-saving missions to date. For more information, refer to the
following FAQs or call 1-800-353-0497.
What geographic area does Air Life serve?
Air Life’s service
area covers 100,000 square miles—and more than 250,000 people—in Oregon. The
helicopter operates within a 100-mile radius of Bend. The airplanes, based
in Bend and La Grande, operate within a 600-mile radius of these central and
eastern Oregon towns.
But your membership benefits go beyond the Air Life service area. Joining Air Life means you’re protected at home and on the road. Air Life members pay nothing out-of-pocket (after insurance payment) for their urgent medical flight—whether transported by Air Life or its reciprocal partners in Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada and California. Visit the membership page of this Web site for more information.
Who can request Air Life?
Air Life responds to accident scenes
and requests for hospital transfers. Most requests come from 911 centers; law
enforcement, ambulance, or fire agencies; and hospitals and physicians. In
certain cases involving helicopter transport, the public may request Air Life.
With this type of request, the Air Life flight nurse gathers medical and flight
destination information helps and ensure that Air Life is used appropriately
and complements ground ambulance systems.
How is Air Life dispatched?
Requests for emergency transport
are coordinated by the AIR COM Center at St.
Charles Medical Center — Bend.
AIR COM staff work 24 hours a day to help ensure that each lifesaving mission
goes smoothlyóthey initiate flight response,
refer public calls for assistance to the flight nurse, track flight progress,
and coordinate with medical facilities.
Does Air Life work with local ambulances?
Yes. Air Life complements the efforts of your local ambulance service. All
regional ambulance services are networked with Air Life; often the two join
forces to help ensure that patients get the care they need in a hurry.
Who pays for an Air Life flight?
Air Life flies anyone in medical need—regardless of ability to pay. Member
patients pay nothing for their flights. Instead, Air Life bills the member’s
insurance carrier and accepts that payment as full. If the member lacks insurance,
Air Life absorbs the cost of the flight. Nonmembers, however, are obliged
to pay the balance due after their insurance carrier pays its portion.
How do I join Air Life?
You have several easy enrollment options:
- Enroll by phone: Call Air Life at 1-800-353-0497. (You can also call for a brochure to be sent to you to complete and mail back).
- Enroll online: Purchase your membership online.
- Enroll by mail: Print and send your
enrollment form along with a check to:
Air Life of Oregon
2500 N.E. Neff Road
Bend, OR 97701-6098
Is the membership
fee tax deductible?
While your membership fee isn’t tax deductible, any contribution
you make above that fee is—and every dollar counts. You have several donation
options: simply send us a check or donate securities, land or other assets
directly or through bequests or trusts. Visit the
donation page of this Web
site for more information.
Where can I get more information?
Call or write us at:
Air Life of Oregon
2500 N.E. Neff Road
Bend, OR 97701
541-385-6305 | 1-800-353-0497
(fax) 541-383-6824
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