We had two incidents this Spring during competitions at Quest Air
that resulted in emergency helicopter flights to the Orlando Regional Medical
Center. Both pilots have received bills for $50,000 for their short flights to
Orlando. We wondered what was going on with this (and are working to see if at
least one of them is covered by the pilot's travel insurance).

In the mean time having heard that hedge funds are buying up ambulance companies
and apparently operating them in the same manner as we see with drug companies,
we checked to see what was going on with this particular company.

This appears to be the one:
http://www.orlandohealth.com/facilities/orlando-regional-medical-center/services/emergency-and-trauma-care/air-care-team

The web site states:

Affiliation with Omniflight Helicopters, Inc.

Omniflight has been a leader in providing air medical transportation service to
the healthcare industry for more than 20 years. Omniflight provides the aviation
services to Orlando Regional Medical Center's Air Care Team. On board, the Air
Care Team provides all the necessary medical staff. This relationship between
Omniflight and Orlando Regional began in 1984 and continues today.

This is the Omniflight web page:
http://www.airmethods.com/omniadvantage#.V78NDK35c_g

Notice that is it Air Methods.

Air Methods bought Omniflfight in 2011:
http://www.airmethods.com/airmethods/investors/press-releases/detail/2011/08/02/air-methods-corporation-closes-acquisition-of-omniflight-helicopters-inc-#.V78QpK35c_g

Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM), the largest air medical
transportation company in the world, announced today that it has successfully
completed its acquisition of OF Air Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries,
including Omniflight Helicopters, Inc. (together, Omniflight). Omniflight
provides air medical transport services throughout the United States and
provides these services under both the community-based and hospital-based
service delivery models, utilizing a fleet of approximately 100 helicopters and
fixed-wing aircraft. Omniflight is headquartered in Addison, Texas, with
operations in 18 states involving over 75 base locations.

A bit about these bills and Air Methods can be found here:
http://abc6onyourside.com/investigators/federal-law-protects-air-ambulance-companies-leaves-patients-in-debt

After a helicopter ride to the hospital, patients are left with
bills for tens of thousands of dollars. Bills can reach up to $50,000 sometimes
costing more than a hospital stay. Insurance policies many times won't cover
that cost.

The largest air ambulance company in the country admitted it doubled its prices
in the last five years.

ABC 6 Investigators, in collaboration with affiliates across the country,
learned federal law protects air ambulance companies. The companies are
considered air carriers.

States are prevented from regulating the prices, routes and services, said Sandy
Ahn, an expert at Georgetown University with the Center on Health Insurance
Reforms.

"For the consumer, they're left out in the cold," she said. "If they... ever
have an emergency where they have to take an air ambulance, they may be left
with a huge bill and no recourse."

Air Methods has a reputation for being one of the most aggressive companies when
it come to going after patients to collect money.

And here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/06/business/rescued-by-an-air-ambulance-but-stunned-at-the-sky-high-bill.html

Mr. Kendall’s case — and many others like it — provides a window
into one of the most lucrative booms in health care in recent years. Air
ambulance companies, which indisputably save lives, often in dramatic
circumstances, have consistently raised their rates and aggressively expanded
their networks, adding scores of expensive new helicopters.

The model has worked because health insurance has covered a large share of the
bills.

Now changes in the air ambulance industry may leave patients even more
financially vulnerable. Private insurance companies that offer ambulance
coverage may not cover the full cost of air ambulances, leaving more patients to
pay the difference. And in recent months, those insurers, under pressure to cut
health care costs, have been reducing reimbursements for air ambulances.
Medicare has typically covered a smaller portion of the bills than private
insurance, and Medicaid even less.

Hedge fund:
http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20150916/NEWS/150919907

Voce also made reference to a New York Times article from this
year that featured Air Methods and its patients who were dealt $40,000 bills.
Consequently, Air Methods has become “an irresistible target for such
demagoguery,” the letter stated.

Voce estimated that Air Methods could fetch a price tag of $55 to $60 per share
from private-equity firms, valuing a potential sale at almost $2.4 billion. Air
Methods did not respond to a request for comment.

Hang glider pilots may want to be aware that this economic expense
is part of the risk that we take.

Insurance coverage:
https://www.thebalance.com/does-your-insurance-cover-an-air-ambulance-2645679,
http://www.usairambulance.net/medical-insurance.php,
https://www.airambulancecard.com/about-our-services/