Care Flight visits during Topaz Ranch Medical Clinic open house

Care Flight was in attendance at the open house of the Topaz Ranch Medical Clinic, 3919 Carter Drive in Topaz Ranch Estates, March 17. The three member crew, Capt. Art Vano along with Heather Emmot and David Gore, critical care nurse and paramedics, were there to introduce themselves to the residents, give the public a closer look at the helicopter transport capabilities and introduce the visitors to a cost-effective program now available through Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority.

Living in the rural areas of southern Douglas County and the neighboring counties of Lyon to the southeast as well as further into California and the remote counties of Mono and Alpine, urgent care for medical emergencies can be hours away when minutes can make the difference between life and death. The lifeline between ground travel and needed immediate medical attention are the three Care Flight helicopters serving Northern Nevada and the northeastern Sierra region.

As a division of REMSA, Care Flight is there to handle the medical emergencies of rural Nevada and the Eastern Sierra. However, the cost for these services can be prohibitive, as much as $10,000 or more, and it is a cost not fully covered by most insurance providers. Now Care Flight is offering a cost-effective plan for air transport costs. For $55 a year, an entire household can become a part of the Flight Plan Membership Program. This plan will cover the costs of air transport not covered by existing insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. For a yearly fee, this plan covers the head of household, spouse and any dependents living in the household and will cover any transport needs within the covered service area, not just medical needs from home. If you spend a lot of time skiing, hiking, camping or just playing in the Sierra back country, you and your family's medical emergency needs are covered by this plan.

As an added benefit, Care Flight is a member of the Association of Air Medical Membership programs. By becoming a member, your flight plan membership will also be honored for emergent air medical transports by the following reciprocating programs:

n Air Life of Oregon-Bend, Ore.

n Air St. Luke's of Boise, Idaho

n CALSTAR of Auburn, Calif.

n Enloe FlightCare of Chico, Calif.

n Life Flight Network of Portland, Ore.

n Wyoming Life Flight of Casper, Wyo.

n Mercy Air Ambulance of Redding, Calif.

n Portneuf Life Flight of Pocatello, Idaho

n St. Alphonsus Life Flight of Boise, Idaho

n St. Alphonsus Life Flight of Twin Falls, Idaho

Care Flight has provided Northern Nevada and the northeastern Sierra area critical care services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for over 20 years.

With three helicopters based in Northern Nevada and northeastern California, each provides service to a 150-mile radius area. Every aircraft is staffed with a licensed critical care nurse and paramedic.

For more information visit Web site: www.remsa-cf.com or call 858-5745.