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Board grants Rocky Mountain Holdings air‑ambulance COPCNs; company says average patient out‑of‑pocket is now low under No Surprises Act
Summary
The Board unanimously approved certificates of public convenience and necessity for Rocky Mountain Holdings LLC to operate air medical service from two local locations. The applicant told commissioners an average billed lift is about $50,000 but the No Surprises Act and insurer negotiations mean most patients pay little out of pocket.
The Clay County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously May 27 to issue Class G, H and I certificates of public convenience and necessity (COPCNs) to Rocky Mountain Holdings LLC, authorizing air ambulance operations from two locations that will serve Clay County.
What the board considered: Fire Rescue Chief Mok reviewed the local ordinance that requires examination of public need and provider fitness before issuing an air ambulance certificate. The county’s medical director reviewed the applicant’s medical protocols and gave approval, and the Office of Management and Budget reviewed financial implications for the county.
Applicant statements on costs and billing: Trevor Hicks, representing Air Methods (a Rocky Mountain subsidiary), told the board an air ambulance lift is billed at roughly $50,000 and about $600 per mile in headline charges, depending on case mix and flight length; he emphasized these are billed charges. Hicks said the No Surprises Act (federal rules on balance billing) and negotiated insurer payments reduce patient liability sharply: “The average out‑of‑pocket cost for a helicopter in the state of Florida due to the NSA is less than $500,” he said, and the provider does not pursue balance billing cases against individual patients.
Operational notes: The applicant said aircraft will be operated on a system basis and rotate as needed; current base operations include temporary basing arrangements (e.g., Baptist LifeFlight locations) with longer‑term stationing and land negotiations ongoing for a dedicated Clay County site (Reynolds Park was mentioned as a future site under negotiation). The applicant asked for an exemption from maintaining two fully‑staffed ambulances on the ground; Chief Mok had recommended approval with any appropriate conditions.
Board action: After hearing the staff and applicant presentations and no public opposition, the board voted 5‑0 to grant the requested COPCNs.
Ending: Commissioners noted the high cost of air medical transport and thanked the applicant and staff for clarifying billing and operational safeguards; the applicant said they will work through land and base negotiations and finalize basing arrangements in coordination with county officials.
