reva air ambulance lawsuit

There are about 550,000 air ambulance transports each year in the United States, according to the associations estimates. DeWitt, NY A 61-year-old DeWitt man feared hed die after suffering a heart attack aboard a cruise ship more than 1,000 miles from a Florida port. Its unclear if REVA ever pursued the remaining bill of $317,884. REVA Air Ambulances roots date back to 1996 when the company Aerojet was founded. The average REVA Air Ambulance salary ranges from approximately $49,385 per Non-emergency air ambulance. You were transported by an air ambulance to a hospital in Syracuse, New York, far from the location of the nearest hospital that could provide the appropriate care. Aero Jet International De PR, Inc. FAA Carrier Certificate #Q6JA227M. How Much Does REVA Pay in 2023? (56 Salaries) | Glassdoor Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Its a lot of money, the 61-year-old said. Hed have to fight REVA in court, too. When a lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, theyre agreeing to accept a fixed percentage of any monetary rewards from your lawsuit to cover their legal fees. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. In 2018, REVA welcomed Directional Aviation and Flexjet, an American provider of sleek, super-modern private aircraft, as a proud new partner. We work with stakeholders, caregivers and family members to ensure the smoothest and most cost-effective transport possible. Their rationale? REVA, Inc. (Air Ambulance) | LinkedIn But the cost has not decreased: Air ambulance prices doubled between 2010 and 2014, according to a 2017 Government Accountability Office report. But they werent told was how much it was going to cost. Texas Air Ambulance Service Aero Med Express provides air ambulance and medical jet services to and from Texas for patients requiring a medical air transfer. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. For now, Excellus hasnt paid REVA a dime and REVA hasnt billed Shapiro directly, he said, citing insurance statements. Kall tried to describe his clients predicament in a September 2018 letter. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Thats when Shapiros wife, Patricia, said she called Blue Cross Blue Shield Global. Gustin joined REVA Air Ambulance in 2011. When that didnt work, the lawyer filed a lawsuit May 23 in Onondaga County Supreme Court. But doctors said they couldnt do the tests needed to make sure there wasnt something worse. The cost of uncompensated care can be tremendous and it is by far the largest component of any bill, Mr. Eastlee said. Shapiros flight took off from the Virgin Islands and stopped to refuel in Fort Lauderdale, about halfway home. The remaining amount, approximately $5,100, continues to be billed to Ms. Williamsons family. Shapiro said that he has notes proving medical necessity from doctors on the British Virgin Islands, from the air ambulance company and from his own cardiologist at St. Josephs Hospital Health Center. If Im going to be laid up in hospital for a couple months, I wanted to be at home in Syracuse. REVA, Inc. and its air-ambulance services are licensed by U.S. and international agencies including U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (Certificate #O2JA595N Operated by REVA 1. Air Ambulance, Medical Flights, Medevac, Emergency Transport, and Organ Transport Locations Primary 2101 W. Commercial Blvd. For example, Medicare, a federal insurance program for those over 65, paid a median of $5,998 per transport, the report said. His 5-month-old daughter, Nellie, had come down with respiratory syncytial virus, or R.S.V., and needed to be transported to a hospital with a special machine to help her breathe. Its unclear if REVA ever pursued the remaining bill of $317,884. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Christina Wray, the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against PHI, received a bill for $57,374 in 2015 for a flight from Taos, N.M., to Albuquerque after being exposed to carbon monoxide from a faulty heater, the lawsuit said. They kept calling me and I told them, I dont have anything to pay you with, said Ms. Pence, whose daughter has Turner syndrome, a condition in which girls are born with a single X chromosome. Air Ambulances: Taking Patients for a Ride - Consumer Reports Well dot the Is, cross the Ts, so red tape doesnt follow you on your journey. In some cases, we will appeal decisions to provide the best coverage. Air Ambulance 2018 Air Ambulance Complaint Data Provided below is a list of consumer complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation against air ambulance operators during calendar year 2018. Fixed: Release in which this issue/RFE has been fixed.The release containing this fix may be available for download as an Early Access Release or a General Availability Release. Our experienced lawyers have studied this issue and can tell you if your costs can be recovered. They turned down the entire trip, he said. The insurer has not yet responded in court, but their explanations were contained in Shapiros court filings. Aetna Life Insurance Co. defeated the bulk of a lawsuit challenging its refusal to cover an $89,725 medical bill for emergency transportation by helicopter, but it must face the air ambulance companys claim for wrongfully withheld benefits under ERISA, a Utah federal judge ruled. Their rationale? No matter the reason injured while traveling abroad, a diving accident or cruise ship mishap, REVA provides medical transportation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Gustin died of sudden impact injuries. If you get stuck with a high air-ambulance bill, industry experts and consumer advocates say there are things you can do. During the past four years, Captain Patrick Gustin piloted medical evacuation flights between six continents -- shuttling injured and ill Americans abroad to U.S. hospitals; airlifting premature babies to critical care units and flying people of all ages, with various conditions, for urgent treatments. But two days before their planned return, on April 12, 2018, Shapiro said he started feeling weak. Matt Baumgartner wins first-impression lawsuit limiting excessive air ambulance fees. REVAs medical crew will arrive at the clients bedside and stay with the client until the transfer of care is complete at the destination. Ask your insurance company to advocate on your behalf, or challenge the. REVA, Inc. (Air Ambulance) in Moses Lake, WA Expand search. Piper required heart surgery soon after she was born, resulting in an air ambulance bill that came to nearly $60,000. Now healthy, Shapiro said he realizes taking the air ambulance wasnt necessary. Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. But Excellus is citing the $656,063 figure in denying any payment at all, he said. In retrospect, Shapiro said, the air ambulance bill might have an even bigger impact on his life than the heart attack. Both Kenn and Mike have been tremendous resources in helping to guide our decisions for future growth of our organization. Because neither is a publicly held corporation, they are not required to submit reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, making industry data harder to obtain. When asked about the companys billing practices, a spokesman for PHI Air Medical said in a statement that only half a percent of the companys last 60,000 claims were not resolved amicably. REVAs insurance reimbursement specialists find coverage to help remove financial barriers to a patients care. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Kathleen Pence and her daughter Piper, who has Turner syndrome. Those two companies, along with PHI Air Medical (which filed for bankruptcy in March), operated 73 percent of the countrys air ambulance helicopters in 2016, according to the G.A.O. Doctors said he couldnt fly commercially for at least a week, and said hed need medical monitoring to fly any sooner. McIntyre Law has clients all over the country, but we treat them all as if they lived right around the corner. State legislators are also debating how to reduce air ambulance bills. Matt Baumgartner wins first-impression lawsuit limiting excessive air ambulance fees. *Stable patient for commercial transport required. We believe communication with you helps us achieve the best outcomes for your case. But doctors said they couldnt do the tests needed to make sure there wasnt something worse. So Excellus takes it out of me? he said. Therefore, our Medical Director determined that your air ambulance ride was not medically necessary.. We didnt have anything in writing, Shapiro acknowledged. Thank you so much! By then, Shapiro said he felt even worse. That doesnt make any sense.. They treated me like gold, Shapiro said of his care. If there are no rewards from your air ambulance case, you dont pay the lawyer. report examining air ambulance transports of privately insured patients found that 69 percent of about 20,700 transports studied were out-of-network in 2017. Go to First Page Go to Last Page. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Fortunately, it turned out that Shapiros heart attack in April 2018 was more scare than a true emergency. REVA's team exudes professionalism and competence in my humble opinion. The $36,000 was just a retainer., Boston EMT Stabbed by Patient in Ambulance, EMTs Face Real Danger While Helping Public, California Dispatcher Helps Deliver Baby Over the Phone, 3 People Survive Medevac Alaska Christmas Eve Crash, Pilot Dies as Medical Helicopter Crashes on Christmas, NY Man Gets $656,063 Air Medical Bill Not a misprint. If you or a loved one was overcharged for an air ambulance, call us to start the process of recovering your costs. REVA Air Ambulance - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets With that belief, Robert Shapiro said he contacted REVA for transport off the island to Syracuse, via Fort Lauderdale. Theres a trip insurance industry that promises to pay for such emergencies, on cruise ships and in foreign lands. The upfront payment in that case was $38,135. In addition, the report said, the median price charged by air ambulance providers was about $36,400 for a helicopter and $40,600 for an airplane transport, typically used for longer trips. 2023 Thomson Reuters. Multi-lingual communications specialists are available to consult with clients and their families. But they had limitations: no cardiologist, no catheterization lab.. Our top-of-the-line medically equipped planes are capable of transferring patients to and from any medical facility in the state. Grants parents received a bill for $42,553. Air ambulance lawsuits are filed due to gross overcharging of medevac transportation, leaving victims with astronomical medical bills. His luggage wouldnt fit and had to be shipped separately. You could buy a plane for what they charged.. 20182023 McIntyre Law, P.C. View job description, responsibilities and qualifications. We will answer all of your related insurance questions and manage all of your insurance procedures. Abstract The modern civilization is the antithesis of religious way of life. I just think its wrong, said Ms. Williamson. Air ambulance companies know they have patients over a barrel when doctors or first responders recommend an emergency flight. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. REVA, Inc. (Air Ambulance) | LinkedIn . Reach out to the author: contact and available social following information is listed in the top-right of all news releases. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. REVA sets the standard in the air-ambulance industry by providing the highest level of medical professionals on all services. REVA Air Ambulance company's worldwide jet fleet is grounded today in observance of one of its youngest captains funeral, which comes in the wake of his tragic, headline news-making car crash on South Floridas Interstate 95. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. With that belief, Robert Shapiro said he contacted REVA for transport off the island to Syracuse, via Fort Lauderdale. Shapiro said that he has notes proving medical necessity from doctors on the British Virgin Islands, from the air ambulance company and from his own cardiologist at St. Josephs Hospital Health Center. The Company has completed over 25,000 missions to over 65 countries since inception. For immediate medical-transport assistance, please call us at: 954-730-9300 or 800-752-4195. When that didnt work, the lawyer filed a lawsuit May 23 in Onondaga County Supreme Court. Per Diem Respiratory Therapist $32.50 + hr - Fort Lauderdale, FL Kendal Stoltz REVA Air Ambulance 954-730-9300 KStoltz(at)FlyReva(dot)com He spent a couple days getting his irregular heartbeat under control. Receive email updates about the latest in Safety, Innovation, and Infrastructure. At 5 pounds 4 ounces, she was just big enough for doctors to operate. As proof they noted that he decided to fly all the way home to Syracuse instead of getting help as soon as he reached U.S. soil. air ambulance transportation services may be determined to be medically necessary to the nearest facility that can provide the appropriate care the insurer wrote Shapiro in 2018, a day after Christmas. A wrongful-death lawsuit has been filed against an air-ambulance company over a 2019 medical helicopter crash in Vinton County that killed three central Ohio residents. He was wearing his seatbelt. Government As a result, REVA is now considered a NAAMTA Alliance member. They did not give us a choice, it was very urgent, she said. That November day in 2016, 10 hours after her birth, Piper was airlifted from Tulsa to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, about 90 miles away. They should be ashamed of themselves.. But Shapiro says his health insurance covered such emergencies and, he added, the global Blue Cross rep he contacted confirmed that. Its a situation that can happen to anyone, but its especially troubling for young families who are often already struggling to afford basic necessities and child care where just one stroke of bad luck can be devastating. Great service bringing my wife from Guatemala to the Mayo Clinic. REVA will always be my first and only choice for air medical evacuation, without hesitation. The McIntyre Law team is seeing more and more individuals who are suffering financially from the air ambulance companies billing practices, and we want to help. Join our Future Flight Crew Private Facebook Group. Humana wins dismissal of air ambulance company's underpayment suit Reva Inc. v. Humana Health Benefit Plan Briefs and Other Related Documents . LIV JETS, LLC, Jacobo Adolpho Artieda Bercovici, LivJets and Jacob Bercovici, US District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Therefore, our Medical Director determined that your air ambulance ride was not medically necessary.. And more importantly, theres not really any recourse for consumers who feel they have been unfairly charged. With strategic partnerships, such as Directional Aviation, Flexjet and Tropic Ocean, REVA brings an expansive fleet and range of services to best meet our patients' needs no matter where they are in the world. cors.archive.org The reviewer suggested that Shapiros decision to fly all the home put him at unnecessary risk. Sylvie Beacleay and Mat took care of us in a very professional way. The insurer upheld its denial within an internal appeals process, then sent the case to an independent reviewer under a state program. 28 No. AND SUPREME COURT AND CONSULAR GAZETTE WEEKLY EDITION OF THE NORTH-CHINA DAILY NEWS: Registered ab the Chinese P. 0. for transmission as mail matter under Class B. There is no infrastructure set up to handle this, said Donna Rosato, a senior editor at Consumer Reports who has examined air ambulance charges. Reva, Inc. | Better Business Bureau Profile Tyler Silvy, 33, sought advice on Twitter earlier this year when his family received a bill of $56,000 from Med-Trans, an air ambulance company operated by Global Medical Response. ], Families Fight Back Against Surprise Air Ambulance Bills, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/17/parenting/air-ambulance-bills.html. Over the past five years, more than a dozen other federal lawsuits have accused air ambulance providers of unfair billing practices. Shapiros emergency ambulance ride wasnt medically necessary. REVA Air Ambulance Jet Fleet Grounded After Medevac Pilot's Death - PRWeb Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Unresolved: Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed. It merged with Air Ambulance Professions in 2013 to form REVA Air Ambulance. You may also need to acquire medical records, along with filling out other legal paperwork such as subpoenas and court petitions. Bobcat Loses Power Under Load, Directional embraces people, culture and world-class infrastructure. For every single patient that doesnt pay the cost, those costs have to be shifted to the next patient. number of air ambulance helicopters has risen, according to a 2017 Government Accountability Office report. REVA could technically go after Shapiro personally. Shapiro said an Excellus rep had promised beforehand that the air ambulance bill would be covered. As reported by Syracuse.com, Robert Shapiro said once he got to nearby British Virgin Islands, doctors recommended he take an emergency medical flight because they had no cardiologist, its hospital decimated by a 2017 hurricane. reva air ambulance lawsuitsmart search field in safari. The hospital agreed to pay $218,116, then later regretted it, according to a December 2017 story on VTDigger.com. The alliance gives REVA the flexibility to pair one of its top medical teams with fully outfitted luxury aircraft that can fly anywhere in the world with fewer stops or even nonstop. So Excellus takes it out of me? he said. The company operates 15 medivac aircraft. Basically, as it stands, I believe they bill an outrageous amount, then settle a lesser amount, he said. REVAs medical crew consists of highly qualified specialists in emergency care, including doctors, nurses, paramedics and respiratory therapists. "They turned down the entire trip," he said. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Airline: REVA Air Ambulance Reg: N370RV photos Aircraft: Bombardier Learjet 45 Serial #: 45-378 Photo date: 2022-10-21 Uploaded: 2022-12-03 Likes: 0 Views: 216 Location: Aguadilla Rafael Hernndez Airport - TJBQ, Puerto Rico By: Carlos Nieves Photos | Profile | Contact Album Like Share Airline: REVA Air Ambulance Reg: N302RV photos The $36,000 he paid out of pocket will have a real impact: hell have to work longer before retirement if he doesnt get repaid, he said. So, companies are paying high costs to maintain these helicopters, but there is more supply than demand. Indeed, a 2021 report published by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that for those that are privately insured, over 50 per cent of air ambulance trips are out-of-network (OON), which inherently results in surprise bills. Recruitment After arriving in Syracuse, a ground ambulance rushed Shapiro to St. Josephs Hospital Health Center, where he got good news: there was no artery blockage. Time enroute: indefinite., Tower: Kenneth C. Ricci, Principal, Directional Aviation. He had angina, chest pain caused by reduced blood flow, and a-fib, the medical term for an irregular heartbeat. He thinks its a ploy by the company to settle with Excellus. Medicaid, a public health insurance program largely for low-income people, paid a median of $3,463. With 16 medically-equipped aircraft & bases across the US and Ireland, REVA is the largest fixed-wing. That leaves those on private insurance with exorbitant bills to make up the difference, a trade group president told Consumer Reports in 2017. At McIntyre Law, youre part of the team, which is why we operate on a contingency fee basis. Shapiro says they were told of no limitations on where he could go for treatment. The heart of REVAs services is our highly advanced, highly efficient Communications Center The ROC. "They wouldn't even pay to get me from the island to Fort Lauderdale (about half of his out-of-pocket costs). The company is part of a global medevac network, empowering REVA to arrange for private medical air transportation from virtually any point on the planet to the U.S. and elsewhere. That doesnt make any sense.. Two of the biggest air ambulance providers are owned by private equity firms. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Copyright 1997-2015, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. Am I responsible for the whole thing? Shapiro wondered. He had angina, chest pain caused by reduced blood flow, and a-fib, the medical term for an irregular heartbeat. Article from AirMedAndRescue.com Working in isolation Sean Bryan, RN, BSN, Assistant Director of Medical Operations for REVA Air Ambulance, shares the companys experiences of transporting Covid-19 patients in an isolation unit. The company is headquartered at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, FL.