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Appling County renews AirMed municipal membership; commissioners urge citizens to buy supplemental coverage
Summary
The commission approved renewal of a county-paid AirMed municipal-site agreement (annual cost discussed at $70,000) to secure discounted medevac rates for county residents; commissioners emphasized that the county-paid membership does not eliminate individual billing and encouraged citizens to buy supplemental coverage.
Appling County commissioners voted to renew the county’s municipal-site AirMed agreement, a county-paid arrangement intended to secure discounted air-medical transport rates for residents. County staff said the municipal agreement runs from Sept. 28 to Sept. 28 and that the county’s participation offers a reduced rate for households that enroll; the package was described in the meeting packet as costing $70,000 annually.
Commissioners discussed the limits of the program and stressed that the county-paid membership does not always eliminate patient billing. "This is not a free flight," one commissioner said, noting that individuals without additional personal coverage may receive a bill at Medicare-allowable rates even after a transported resident benefits from the county’s municipal discount. Staff and commissioners recommended that residents purchase the optional supplemental individual coverage offered through AirMed’s enrollment page to avoid potential balance billing.
County staff said standard annual personal plans range about $55 for a household, with a senior rate at about $45, and that the county’s participation allows a discounted rate for residents who enroll using their county address when they sign up.
The commission moved, seconded and approved the renewal during the meeting.
Provenance: Discussion and vote on the AirMed agreement are recorded beginning at 00:56:09 and concluding with the motion at 01:04:13.
