Search and Rescue services themselves are free, they don't want people avoiding calling for help for fear of a hefty bill. As far as I know, the helicopter ride is the gray area where charges may start (depends on medical treatment during flight, whether it's equivalent to an ambulance ride, or something to that effect). If it is treated as equivalent to an ambulance then I imagine that her health insurance would kick in then in whatever capacity it handles ambulance rides.
I'm really not sure of all the details, but I do know that SAR itself is free (at least in my state, Colorado). Never hesitate to call if you need it!
The sooner you call in a life threatening situation, the less you'll have to worry about that medical helicopter gray area.
HappyLittleFirefly t1_itl19l7 wrote
Reply to comment by ScootScott in A train passenger saw a woman waving for help. It was a hiker who'd been missing. by guanaco55
Search and Rescue services themselves are free, they don't want people avoiding calling for help for fear of a hefty bill. As far as I know, the helicopter ride is the gray area where charges may start (depends on medical treatment during flight, whether it's equivalent to an ambulance ride, or something to that effect). If it is treated as equivalent to an ambulance then I imagine that her health insurance would kick in then in whatever capacity it handles ambulance rides.
I'm really not sure of all the details, but I do know that SAR itself is free (at least in my state, Colorado). Never hesitate to call if you need it!
The sooner you call in a life threatening situation, the less you'll have to worry about that medical helicopter gray area.