Heli-ambulance partners ask for insurance participation

15 September, 2007:

Heli-ambulance services are gaining ground with the first step being taken by Deccan Aviation and Apollo Hospitals. Reports said that Apollo Hospitals Enterprises and Deccan Aviation who have become partners in a new heli-ambulance service plan are also talking to medical insurance companies to drive up the market.

According to news reports, a large number of emergency cases need air-lifting for timely medical attention and helicopter service being expensive, it is up to health insurance companies to make it affordable by offering it in their policies. The two companies have already initiated parleys with a handful of insurance companies with regard to this. Once the insurance regulator gives its nod for such a business, the service might take off with a bang.

Reports listing statistics said that the Apollo group has made 400 emergency air-lifts in the past two-and-a-half years and each trip can cost the patient Rs 1-2 lakh depending on the distance to the hospital, or around Rs 75,000 an hour. It is here that an insurance policy can help, it is believed.

It is felt that insurance companies need to start schemes that provide medical insurance which covers air ambulance services, akin to what is being done in the west.

Reports say that Appollo will make use of Deccan’s fleet of 10 helicopters and two small planes stationed at Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Surat and Katra in Jammu & Kashmir. Apollo will offer the services of Deccan Aviation’s helicopters at its centres in Bangalore, Delhi, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata, where there are roof helipads or landing facilities.