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Input sought on Wyoming air ambulance service issues

State residents are invited by the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) to offer their thoughts, ideas and perspectives on air ambulance service online or during two upcoming public meetings.

CPRThe Wyoming Legislature passed legislation earlier this year intended to help address air ambulance coverage and cost issues. The legislation requires WDH to develop a plan to ensure affordable air ambulance transportation in the state for submission to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The first public meeting is planned for Riverton on May 15 from 5-7 p.m. at Central Wyoming College in Main Hall Classroom 171. A second public meeting, focused on air ambulance providers, will be held on May 16 from 9 a.m. to noon in Casper at Casper College in Strausner Hall Room 217. An online comment opportunity can also be found at airambulancewaiver.wyo.gov.

Important questions about air ambulance service include:

  • How big of a problem is affordability and balance billing?
  • What kind of access to air ambulance do we need?
  • How much are we willing to pay for that access?
  • How much should individuals pay in the rare event they need an air ambulance?

The first two public meetings will include both a presentation on the department’s intended plan, as well as a listening session for public comment. Another series of meetings will be held in July after the plan is finalized.

People who might be particularly interested in voicing their opinions include:

  • Members of the public who have had an air ambulance flight
  • Medical providers who deal with air ambulance
  • Hospital leadership and staff
  • Air ambulance providers and staff