As of April 1st, 2020, air ambulance services are no longer able to sell memberships in Wyoming, shared Classic Air Medical Director of Customer Relations Chad Bowdre.
“Legislation was passed during the 2019 Wyoming legislative session regarding air ambulance companies operating in Wyoming,” he said. “Specifically, Wyo. Stat. $26-5-103(a)(ii) was passed as part of the Air Ambulance Coverage-Medicaid Act, HB0194/HEA 0112. Effective, April 1, 2020, disability insurance is defined pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 26-5-103(a)(ii) as ‘insurance of any kind on human beings against disablement or expense resulting from sickness, including subscription or membership plans relating to air ambulance transport services.'”
Moving forward only insurance companies can sell air ambulance memberships, but not very many have that as an option, Chad explained. “We would have to become an insurance company to continue selling memberships, and it’s not feasible for us to do that. We are an air medical company that focuses on safety, medical expertise, and flying.”
Classic Air Medical has been in service for over 30 years and was the first air ambulance service in Fremont County, Chad shared. They will continue to serve the area and a new aircraft will be coming to Riverton in a few weeks. Those who are current members, your coverage remains in effect. Classic Air Medical has also extended the expiration dates of current memberships in hopes of getting this legislation changed. You can learn more about the legislation by clicking here.