Do I need medical insurance?

Answer: None required, though the company does bill insurance companies when coverage exists. This helps fund flights for Hospital del Nino. If we do bill your insurance company, you are not required to pay anything other than the membership fee.

Does the service operate 24 hours a day?

Answer: No. At this time, most airports are not operating 24 hours per day. Most are daylight hours only. Sunrise to sunset is the general rule for flying in Panama.

What if I am not a member, can I still get a flight?

Answer: Sorry. We only fly for our members. If you have insurance, who are they going to call? The lowest cost provider? Is that what you want down here? A membership eliminates a major unknown and makes the process far easier. In some cases, a detached insurance company may say no to a flight while we say yes. Why? Because we live here and know the country along with what can go wrong -- quickly.

Are you a first response/Life Flight operation?

Answer: No. We transport seriously ill pre-stabilized patients. Life Flight operations require dedicated equipment, and most important, dedicated flight crews for that important mission. The cost of a dedicated helicopter is also an important consideration.

How long does it take to get me back from __________?

Answer: Weather variables aside, it takes roughly 20 minutes to configure the aircraft. Flights times are 1.3 to 1.5 hours to Bocas for example, and another 1.3 hours for the return flight. 10 to 20 minutes to a hospital of your choice.

How many flights are included?

Answer: 3 per person per year. 1 for Tourist membership.

I have heard about a new helicopter Life Flight operation in Panama. How are you different?

Answer: Life Flight operators are first responders during medical emergencies. We transport pre-stabilized patients in most cases. The two work together in a proper environment since using an expensive helicopter for patient transport means it might not be available for emergencies.

We do have a considerable knowledge base when evaluating any helicopter EMS service in Panama. Safety, and Life Flight experience of the dedicated flight crew are the two most important considerations we will look for. Then we want to see a dedicated helicopter, which they apparently do not have at this time.

I have MS Panama’s health plan for Hospital Chiriqui in David. Will you fly me to David so I can be treated at the hospital?

Answer: Yes, as long as the flight doctor and the hospital agree this a medically appropriate. In most cases this is not a problem. However, the first rule is the closest appropriate medical facility and that normally means either Panama City or David.

What qualifies as a medical flight?

Answer: Medical necessity dictates eligibility for a flight. Generally, if the patient can sit on a commercial flight for three hours, they are not considered an eligible patient. However, Panama’s medical system does not have consistent coverage. Some areas lack even basic care. This type of situation is part of the decision process for a flight. There are cases where a simple injury quickly develops complications and requires transport back to Panama City or David.

Who makes the medical decision for a flight?

Answer: Our flight surgeon, a licensed Panamanian medical doctor with aviation medicine experience along with the attending doctor, if there is one. The final medical decision is made by our doctor.

What are the qualifications of your medical personnel?

Answer: All the flight paramedics have Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certificates and are trauma trained. All have experience flying with the government of Panama, and/or working with the 911 system. Each holds appropriate certifications from Panama and the State of California for aviation medicine.

Are there any other restrictions for residential memberships?

Answer: There is a 15 day waiting period before membership begins. Read Evac Americas Terms and Conditions here.

Why 15 days?

Answer: To help prevent abuse of the service.

Who can request a flight?

Answer: Flights are prescribed by a medical doctor treating the patient. Alternatively, a medical professional, or a family member if a doctor is not available. Either way, a medical doctor is always consulted since our flight surgeon must approve the flight.

I am a with an NGO like the Peace Corps or Global Brigades. What are my options?

Answer: Two. Buy a tourist membership, which lasts 90 days and is renewable. If you are here on a long term stay, then buy the resident membership since you have a carnet.

Can family members accompany the patient?

Answer: Passengers are not allowed for patient and flight crew safety. In certain cases, children younger than 2 years old may accompany a parent if no other option exists and the aircraft has seats available. Safety is always the first priority.

How many aircraft do you have access to?

Answer: 5 aircraft. While there are many Senecas and Islanders in Panama’s aviation fleet, SkyMaxx works with a select few for these missions.

Do you have helicopters?

Answer: No. Helicopters with a medical interior installed are very close to being a first response type of aircraft. As such, they could be flown in situations that cross some lines we simply choose not to for safety reasons. Our belief is that helicopters are a great tool if you have dedicated aircraft and most important, the dedicated, highly trained and experienced crews for the mission.

Why do you have a clause stating that you can terminate a membership at any time?

Answer: If someone is found to be abusing the system, we can terminate their membership right away to keep costs low.

What standards are you meeting?

Answer: CAMTS is the standard we are working towards. We use Lean Six Sigma for our process improvement program.

How many hours of flight time do the pilots have?

Answer: 2,000 to over 20,000 hours with an average of 10,000 hours. Mostly within Panama and most who have flown as pilot in command with a major airline.

Can we help our native neighbors, who are unable to afford this service?

Answer: Sure. Memberships are inexpensive and designed so that more people can be covered.

Will you have anti-venom on board?

Answer: We can get it if required. A little known fact is the Ministry of Health is the owner of the anti-venom and it must be obtained from them. FYI: Try like heck to kill the snake so the proper anti-venom can be used.