Alacura turns medical transport from an unseen liability into a strategic lever, driving safe outcomes, member and hospital satisfaction, compliance, savings, and reporting.
Today, when a hospital clinician writes an order to transfer a patient, they typically don’t specify whether it should be by air or ground. That decision is often left to the ambulance company. But because profits are considerably higher with air transfers, transporters are incentivized to fly patients rather than drive them, even if flying is clinically inappropriate.
Today, 77% of air ambulance transports are billed out–of–network, meaning patients can be billed for any expenses not covered by their insurance. This “balance billing” has become a regular practice of the larger air ambulance companies. A recent study shows that 40% of patients transported by air ambulance were exposed to balance billing, and the average balance bill was almost $20,000.
Alacura helps health plan members get the transport they need without the risk of a large surprise bill. We work with health plans to ensure that their members know they have power and choices, and that the most cost–effective and medically appropriate transport is not always by air.
Our proprietary Rapid Transport Response platform allows us to make quick transport decisions and process authorizations immediately. Whether your members need to be transported by air or ground, we ensure that they travel with a safe and reliable in–network provider.
*Health plan clinical review criteria are available upon request
