Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[pacerron]

I though about starting this as a "New thread" topic and still may, but what do you guys think??

For folks that live in the country, especially those with existing conditions, such as Ron's mother, Don, me, or those that want some additional "insurance" have any of y'all consider Air evacuation medical membership/insurance??

Cost us about $60 a year for the family and covers what our medical wont as far as medical emergency transport (helo/plane). What ever the insurance doesn't pay, the membership pays the remainder. If you price air evac cost, you could not only save much needed time for emergency care, but could possibly save upwards of 50k in transport fees.

I think Air Evac Lifeteam is the largest in coverage in the nation, but there are many regional evacs. Sure worth you're researching and evaluation.

Here is our local service
Air Evac Lifeteam

Dennis,
That is a good idea to consider.
Not sure how it works and who determines if the chopper run is/was necessary for a particular case.
Explain more how yours works?
With many folks subscribed and knowing the proper wording in the call to get one dispatched, I can picture a swarm of locust filling the air. Blueriver might put his RC controlled chopper into another business, if he hasn't crashed it yet.

Just kidding a bit about the last sentence, but it must be tightly controlled, and landing pads/spots pre-approved and kept clear at the farm residence?

In our case both local hospital facilities, actually one company, have heli pads and are used as nearest hospital with resources and/or to transport patients to other facilities. However the
nearest med-flight choppers are 50 miles from them and 30 miles from me, so I don't know if it would be beneficial.
Every case and situation is different and many times we just cannot outfox God's plan for us.

 

[pacerron]

Ron, The diet is for prevention and reversing heart disease. The Cardiologist who inserted the stent said my RCA was 100% blocked. I also confirmed this through the medical records. Considering my heart function decreased to 40% (EF) after, there was definitely damage, you could also see it on the EKG, and I could feel it by the low activity level would get me breathless. From onset to stent placement lasted three hours. I do not think it was 100% blocked for the entire period but it probably was by the time he was looking at it.

I had only two things to work with diet and exercise (I got off my heart meds as soon as I could) and I cannot say how much each contributed to the recovery, but something worked right. I do know that animal products and added fat is not needed for recovery.
(The body produces all the saturated fat that is required and none is needed to be added in your diet.)

Oh, the knee is feeling good and the Dr. said I can start running in January (now) but I think I'll give it one more month. I have several other machines to do cardio.

Hey Don,
Start running soon. Your doctor wants you back ASAP for another replacement

I wasn't arguing with you previously. Just the clarification that dead heart tissue does not/cannot rejuvenate. Sad but true for a large percentage of heart attack victims. Doesn't mean they have have to give up, but their exercise
and other activities have to be much more limited or Angina reminds them to slow down a bit.

 

[txdon]

The Air Evac is a good idea. Worth researching, give the link when you start a new thread it would be good to communicate with someone who has used it to see if there are any problems.

 

[Western]

The Air Evac is a good idea. Worth researching, give the link when you start a new thread it would be good to communicate with someone who has used it to see if there are any problems.

I posted the new thread, feel free to comment and give ideas, could be a life saver someone, someday.

 

[jinman]

Well, I need to buy a lottery ticket today. I just went out to start my New Holland TLB because it has been sitting for 2-1/2 months since the last start. It took a little cranking to get fuel flowing and then fired right off. Gosh! I love it when equipment works. I moved some big rocks and then went on a joy-ride just to celebrate.

 

[Western]

Jim, you will be jigg'n and digg'n in this nice weather, I should have went golfing today!:laughing:

 

[jinman]

Jim, you will be jigg'n and digg'n in this nice weather, I should have went golfing today!:laughing:

Yep! By this weekend, you may have trouble getting a tee-time. BTW: How's your mom today?

 

[Western]

Jim, she saw the Doctor yesterday afternoon, he gave her the Green light for the trip. She woke up this A.M. and headed to Arizona to her sisters, then onto my cousins in California! 73 years old and stubborn:laughing:

Actually a visit with family would do her good, no grand-kids, nothing but free time. Her cousin was her best friend through college and they talk all the time, 3 months ago they went on a cruise.

10-4 on this weekend too, may try Friday since I told my son we would go fishing Sunday if he's up to it. Saturday he is doing the physical agility test for the Ft. Worth police dept, so he may be sore:laughing:

 

[pacerron]

I posted the new thread, feel free to comment and give ideas, could be a life saver someone, someday.

Dennis,
Your company has 5 locations in our state.
However, as of 2011 they were in competition with 16 other companies.

I would imagine in a serious accident situation the EMT's or LEO are not going to be concerned as to who, or if, the patient has a plan with, but rather with who is available for the quickest pick up.
Can you shed light on this?

Your plan, and I imagine others, only pays if you use their service.

If I am a member and end up being transported by a ground ambulance or another air ambulance service, who is responsible for the bill?
If Air Evac Lifeteam does not transport you, you will be responsible for payment of the bill. Our membership program only covers flights by our service

I'm not throwing poo on your idea, it is a good idea, just researching the actual benefits.

 

[Western]

Ron, in the FAQS section of Air evac life team, it answers all those questions.
Air Evac Lifeteam

If you or yours is able to request service, you can do that. If your unable to make the request, they have window stickers, door stickers (I'm looking into a gate sign) that will notify responders.

I haven't read where this service covers a ground ride, usually that falls under personal insurance. Also I don't think medicare, medicaid enrollees can use these services?

There are allot of "transport" providers, but not near as many Emergency evac with memberships. The only ones that cover an ambulance ride IIRC are the full transport company's and usually on the best plans.

I have not done allot of reaing on the transport/travel plans, but will in the near future.

 

[Western]

HEY!! can one of you "smart" folks read this and see if I understood it correctly.

I can get cash back from the state for all my "off road fuels" for my atv,tractors?? the road tax at .20 a gallon can add up. I was looking up road tax to get it back on my boat fuel and........

Motor Fuels Tax Refunds

 

[pacerron]

Ron, in the FAQS section of Air evac life team, it answers all those questions.
Air Evac Lifeteam

If you or yours is able to request service, you can do that. If your unable to make the request, they have window stickers, door stickers (I'm looking into a gate sign) that will notify responders.

I haven't read where this service covers a ground ride, usually that falls under personal insurance. Also I don't think medicare, medicaid enrollees can use these services?

There are allot of "transport" providers, but not near as many Emergency evac with memberships. The only ones that cover an ambulance ride IIRC are the full transport company's and usually on the best plans.

I have not done allot of reaing on the transport/travel plans, but will in the near future.

Dennis,
On my last post, at the bottom, was a quote from your companies FAQ specifically saying they don't cover ground transportation or other company transports.

I can see the home sign/stickers as a good idea, probably a wallet card as well, but when minutes count waiting for a specific company to get back from another flight before being dispatched doesn't make sense if another company is available. I would think there would be a dispatch system for each company, yours is in Missouri as I recall, but also a dispatch center that combines availability and estimated time to the emergency of all companies in a multi -county area?
Are the decisions as to who to call in an area left up to the EMT squad commander, on scene Leo, Patrol Post dispatcher or who/whom?
Even a sticker or other notification doesn't assure the membership is still valid.
We used to keep a folder of all my mother's pertinent medical data at the ready for
when she was picked up or we took her in.
In a crisis situation, there is not time or emotion to make a list.
We also found that in the middle of the night the hospital data/records offices are often not manned
and the ER staff can not get access to the records even though they may be important for the patients treatment.

Now that all records are becoming computerized that may not be the case.

 

[pacerron]

. Also I don't think medicare, medicaid enrollees can use these services?
.

Dennis,
Now you hit a jugular vein..

Looks like we are covered under Medicare for air flights, at least at this time.
Most of us also pay a premium in addition to Medicare Part B and D for
private coverage that picks up the tab for the deductibles and other
costs hidden in medicare.
When the young people and the politicians talk about us old folks getting
medicare for free.... they show their lack of intelligence.

 

[Western]

Ron, there's your "out" :laughing: So you would have some coverage.

The home office of the Med i-evac may be in Missouri, but each base is dispatched locally by the Emergency services. In small and medium counties, it is the Sheriffs office, larger cities like Dallas, Ft worth are dispatched through the various PD's. There are not allot of air response, but same as the MANY ground ambulances, they usually work through a rotation. I feel confident I would get the one I signed up for since they service most of the area, but if they where on call without backup, I'd take whomever to save my life. As far as I know there is only one other outfit here locally (DFW) and that is Cafe flight, but they will go a long way to an accident scene and in a hurry.

 

[pacerron]

Ron, there's your "out" :laughing: So you would have some coverage.

I'd take whomever to save my life. As far as I know there is only one other outfit here locally (DFW) and that is Cafe flight, but they will go a long way to an accident scene and in a hurry.

Hard to say what I might do if I had been sick a long time....
My dad was a 4 pak a day Camel man. No sissy tar filter for him.
Never lost a days work in his life and really never was sick that I can recall.
At age 72 he suddenly started losing weight. My mother forced him to go to the doctor
and he had lung cancer plus it had spread to his esophagus.
They just about burned all his back skin off with radiation treatments.
Then he started having mini strokes.
I remember my mother and I pleading with him to let the ambulance people standing there
take him to the hospital again. He was conscious and clear minded enough that the ambulance people said
that we could not over rule his wishes to stay at home.
He had had enough, and died a few nights later at home.

My wife and I both have medical POA's, with specifications, so if we can't make the decision ourselves the other can, but so did he.
Going to the hospital would have only prolonged his agony so I am glad now it worked out the way it did.

 

[DABSGT]

We are 30 minutes from the hospital but soon found out we could take her to the hospital much quicker ourselves
than waiting on the EMT transport that is 5 miles from here. So everything must be considered, not just distance.

Pacerron,

I am not an expert on the quality of emergency medical service in your area but would bet they are competent. If you are lucky enough to have paramedic service they could start "clot buster therapy" on the way to the hospital. But even if you only have a basic life support ambulance available to you that is the way to go not transportation in a private vehicle. If the patient goes into cardiac arrest in the ambulance they are better equipped and trained. Best action would be for you and wife be prepared by taking a CPR course and if moms heart stops wile you Wait for the ambulance you will be able to do something. You can't do any thing wile driving a car.

 

[pacerron]

Pacerron,

I am not an expert on the quality of emergency medical service in your area but would bet they are competent. If you are lucky enough to have paramedic service they could start "clot buster therapy" on the way to the hospital. But even if you only have a basic life support ambulance available to you that is the way to go not transportation in a private vehicle. If the patient goes into cardiac arrest in the ambulance they are better equipped and trained. Best action would be for you and wife be prepared by taking a CPR course and if moms heart stops wile you Wait for the ambulance you will be able to do something. You can't do any thing wile driving a car.

My mother died in 2004 at the age of 87, I have been relating real life experience.
I know it is hard to keep up with this thread, as 2-3 pages can be filled in 30 minutes or less.
Many of the posts and replies, like TxDon's heart attack, reference things that were posted years ago.
This is a great thread because the people are caring, down to earth people with centuries of knowledge and experience
between them, with a good sense of humor, and southern hospitality.
They even welcome, or at least put up with folks, north of the Mason-Dixon line like you and me.
Thank you for your interest and participation.

And yes, we have both had CPR training.

 

[jinman]

This is a great thread because the people are caring, down to earth people with centuries of knowledge and experience
between them, with a good sense of humor, and southern hospitality.
They even welcome, or at least put up with folks, north of the Mason-Dixon line like you and me.

Ron, of course we have southern hospitality, but every-once-in-awhile we just have to rub in our good fortune with mostly mild weather and perfect weekends. Check out this forecast.. So, while you are out there shoveling snow, we'll be outside in our t-shirts, looking for some of those snakes you posted about earlier. :laughing:

 

[Western]

Jim, you either didn't read post #4571, or you're telling me you're not one of the "smart" fellas?? Or maybe you already knew this and kept it a secret:laughing:


I'm thinking I can get all fuel road tax back that doesn't go through my "highway vehicles", I know I can get road tax back for the boat fuel, but man, the gas used around a farm can add up (if it's not farm fuel already)

 

[jinman]

Jim, you either didn't read post #4571, or you're telling me you're not one of the "smart" fellas?? Or maybe you already knew this and kept it a secret:laughing:

Yes, you can, but why wouldn't your buy off-road fuel in the first place? Isn't there a lot less paperwork involved? For example, if you buy 25 gallons of fuel for your boat, you'll be able to get $5 back.