Air Methods enters agreements with hospital network
Air Methods Corporation announced on 14 February that it has entered into agreements with the MidAmerica Division and North Florida Division of HCA Healthcare, a corporate operator of hospitals and health systems across the US. Air Methods will provide medical communication services through its DirectCall Transfer Center for the MidAmerica Division, and has established a preferred provider agreement with the North Florida Division for air medical transport services.
Air Methods Corporation announced on 14 February that it has entered into agreements with the MidAmerica Division and North Florida Division of HCA Healthcare, a corporate operator of hospitals and health systems across the US. Air Methods will provide medical communication services through its DirectCall Transfer Center for the MidAmerica Division, and has established a preferred provider agreement with the North Florida Division for air medical transport services.
As part of the MidAmerica Division agreement, Air Methods’ DirectCall Transfer Center will assist with interfacility patient transports between the MidAmerica Division’s 18 affiliated hospitals and other surrounding medical centres. Air Methods’ DirectCall Transfer Center will manage all incoming and outgoing calls among the health system’s hospitals, physicians and other hospitals based on pre-established medical communication service policies and procedures. The MidAmerica Division has hospitals located in the states of Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri. Operations are expected to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2013.
Meanwhile, under the agreement with the North Florida Division, Air Methods has become the preferred provider for air medical transport services for its Florida affiliated hospitals located in Lake City, Gainesville, and Ocala. The Air Methods’ existing air medical bases in Cross City and Lake City will work together with the North Florida Division to facilitate the interfacility transfer of critically ill and injured patients requiring air transport.
Aaron Todd, the chief executive officer of Air Methods, stated: “We are very pleased to have reached partnerships with two of HCA’s Divisions to provide these valuable healthcare services. We believe our industry-leading transfer centre service will assist this Division in keeping patients within their system, and our existing North Florida air medical system will ensure local communities have continued access to air medical transportation.”