Hawaii residents complain of high prices for medevac flights

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HONOLULU (AP) — Some Hawaii residents are complaining of the high prices charged for medevac flights from one island to the other for medical emergencies.

HONOLULU (AP) — Some Hawaii residents are complaining of the high prices charged for medevac flights from one island to the other for medical emergencies.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (https://bit.ly/1UDISd0 ) that rides with the two companies operating in the state, Hawaii Life Flight and AMR Air Hawaii, cost tens of thousands of dollars. The newspaper found that Hawaii Life Flight’s base rate is about $2,400 more expensive and its per-mile cost is $194 over AMR’s price.

An AMR spokesman says prices for air ambulances jumped in 2013 when the company began operating in the state. From 2010 until 2013 Hawaii Life Flight was the only carrier in the islands.

A Hawaii Life Flight spokeswoman says the company works with patients to adjust their bills.