SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 15, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The air ambulance company, Angel MedFlight, http://www.angelmedflight.com, is happy to report a 20-year-old Ariel Gernes, who sustained several traumatic injuries from a multiple vehicle collision while she was visiting France, is now back in the United States receiving acute care. Angel MedFlight provided the air medical transportation after Gernes' insurance company refused to provide medical transport back to the United States.
Immediately after the accident, Gernes was taken to a level one trauma center in Clichy, France where she underwent multiple procedures including brain surgery, removal of her spleen, partial removal of her liver, chest tube placement, and many more lifesaving interventions.
As Gernes started the recovery process, her physicians discussed with the family how she would need to be transferred to a rehab facility for physical and neurological rehab, but she would not be eligible for admission into any other medical facility in France without the proper citizenship. Therefore, the family was informed there were no other options except an air ambulance flight back to the United States.
Despite having coverage for air medical transportation within her insurance policy, a directive from the attending trauma physician, and the pleading of the medical facility in France, the insurance carrier refused air medical transportation back to the United States. The denial stated, "The transport is for the convenience of the doctor, staff, or family and therefore is not medically necessary." Even after appealing the decision, the air medical transport was denied. The carrier went as far to tell the family that air medical services were exclusively for "repatriation" purposes. During the final telephone call, the insurance representative told the Gernes family they would have to pay for the air medical transport out of their own pocket and try to get reimbursed afterward.
Abandoned by their own insurance company, the Gernes family began a search for solutions. They found their answer with Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance. Angel MedFlight is pleased to report that Ariel has been transported back to Boston, Massachusetts and is receiving the acute care she desperately needs. On behalf of the family, Angel MedFlight advanced several hundred thousand dollars to perform the flight in an emergent fashion. At this time, because of the "poor faith" actions by the insurance carrier, Angel MedFlight will utilize its in-house attorneys on the patient's behalf, to recoup the insurance benefits that are declared within her plan.
About Angel MedFlight:
Angel MedFlight is corporately based in Scottsdale, AZ. Through sole and exclusive aircraft vendor relationships, Angel MedFlight staffs each air ambulance with two critical care flight personnel at all times. The organization performs air medical transportation on a domestic and international basis. Angel MedFlight prides itself on executing its One Touch Promise: "From first contact ... from bed to bed ... on the ground and in the air, Angel MedFlight's One Touch Promise assures you that everything is handled." For more information, please visit http://www.angelmedflight.com.
The Angel MedFlight logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6276