Air ambulances are used for airlifting critically ill civilians and soldiers. They are treated on board and then transported to hospitals, where doctors and other health care professionals can provide full treatment. Since fuel cost, maintenance costs, overheads for air ambulances are substantial, most of these services are fee based. The costs for an airlift vary from USD 10,000 to USD 70,000 in some cases.

Only few government organizations provide free airlift services. There are few private enterprises, which run this service for profit. Some air ambulance services are subsidized by multinational companies, like Virgin Corporation funds one such service in London.

Most air ambulances service charge fuel costs for return trip. Other factors, which determine the cost of air ambulances, are type of aircraft used, the care required for transferring patients, distance to the hospital etc.

Most air ambulance services now provide a toll free number on their websites. If you are looking for a detailed comparison of costs, just call up these number and you will instantly get quotes, depending on your needs. Some of the air ambulance services have a form, where you key in your details, and within a short time they will call you back or email all costing details, based on your inputs.

If you wish to cut down the costs, you can choose a twin-engine aircraft or a helicopter over a jet plane. In case, you are advised that patient need not be accompanied by entire team of paramedics / doctors, you can choose to go with a smaller team, thus saving on costs.

You can also share space with another patient, if you are planning to utilize an airplane, which has more space. That ways, you can cut down on cost of air ambulance.

Other then that, you must talk directly to air ambulance services. Always avoid using a broker, to do the deal for you. Brokers charge a fee on top of the fee charged by air ambulance services, so you will need to shell out more money.

Cost of air ambulance service may run into thousand of US dollars, so you should decide very carefully. Always try to get as many quotes as you can. Most air ambulance services will require full payment in advance though they may be flexible in remittance methods, allowing credit cards, cheques, wire transfers etc.

Costs of air ambulances are covered, at least in part by insurers. Some insures may cover full costs also. Two kinds of insurances are available; one is your regular health coverage, which might cover air ambulance costs, in part or full. Other insurance cover is a separate air ambulance insurance cover If you take this insurance cover, you will save thousands of dollars. This coverage comes in two types, long term coverage, where you are insured for life as well as short-term coverage where you will be insured for a single trip of few hundred miles or a specific period of time.

A single membership will cost you around USD 250 per year for long term while a full family membership will cost you upwards of USD 400. A small sum maybe charged as an initiation fee also. Also, if you have taken a membership with any air ambulance service, you will get 2-3 free airlifts each year.

If you have air ambulance insurance, or your health insurance cover is applicable, you just have to inform them that you require this service and they will organize payments. In most cases, it will be a cashless transaction (if full cost is born by insurer).