With the county in a dire ambulance crisis that has sick and injured people waiting for help while local 9-1-1 dispatchers try to find help, the news that Medflight is pulling their services from the Minford Airport is a heavy blow.
So why is the company pulling out? Rumors are swirling as to the motivations behind the move, with some pointing to sneaky real estate deals as the reason for the change.
We decided to head straight to the source and ask Medflight what’s behind the move. According to company spokesperson Bailey Todd, it comes down to the same problems fueling cuts to medical services everywhere, a lack of personnel and a shortage of money.
According to Todd, “A combination of factors impacted the changes including staffing, increased expenses, and ongoing reimbursement challenges for medical transport services in general.” Todd says air ambulances will be dispatched to our area from bases in Ross, Meigs, and Fayette counties and he admits that could lead to delays in service.
Scioto County Commissioner, Bryan Davis told SCDN, “Losing MedFlight would be a great loss. I encourage the Airport Authority Board to do all they can possible to keep them at the Airport. At the end of the day, we must realize due to the tough economic conditions Medflight finds themselves in, and the rapidly changing market, it may not be possible.”
Air ambulance services have been slashed around the country as insurance companies and Medicare have slashed their reimbursements. In February 2024, the Veteran’s Administration plans to cut its reimbursement for services, which prompted U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-IL) to introduce the VA Emergency Transportation Act to help preserve air access for veterans.
According to the Save Our Air Medical Resources (SOAR) campaign, Medicare only covers 50% of actual transport costs and Medicaid just about 1/25th of the actual cost prompting many companies to pull out of areas where they are the primary insurers
