Intermountain Healthcare and Classic join forces

Classic, which is headquartered in North Salt Lake, Utah, operates 28 aircraft (16 rotary-wing and 12 fixed-wing units), and covers much of the same footprint as Intermountain’s telehealth service network, supporting residents in rural communities.

Additionally, Classic’s multi-state, community-based operation is distinct and complementary to Intermountain Life Flight’s hospital-based structure. Classic completed approximately 5,000 flights in 2020. It has 22 bases primarily located in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Alaska.

The addition of Classic illustrates Intermountain’s commitment to rural healthcare and enhances the health system’s ability to serve rural communities throughout the Intermountain West. Specifically, the acquisition will enable Intermountain to expand support of physicians, clinics, and hospitals across the region through additional coordination with telehealth and digital care.

Enhancing access to care for patients in rural parts

“We’re excited to welcome the Classic Air Medical team to Intermountain and look forward to working together to further enhance the quality of life and access to care for residents throughout the Intermountain West,” said Marc Harrison, MD, Intermountain CEO and President.

Intermountain will maintain Classic as an independent group and does not plan to consolidate it with the Intermountain Life Flight air medical program. However, both groups will benefit from shared learning, strengths, and best practices.   

Classic will continue focusing on patients and communities it serves and the requesting agencies with which it partners. Intermountain retained the Classic leadership team, as well as the approximately 400 Classic employees, most of whom are pilots, flight nurses, and paramedics.     

“We’re excited to join with Intermountain to continue to serve patients and communities in our service areas, and ensure they have access to high-value, coordinated care as close to home as possible,” said Tony Henderson, CEO of Classic. “This is an exciting milestone and great things are ahead as we work together to build a model health system.”