Drastic changes coming for emergency helicopter costs
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HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. — A life-saving service gets more affordable for some West Tennesseans and more expensive for others. Haywood County government officials said they’ve reached a new agreement with the emergency helicopter service Hospital Wing. Previously, the county paid $100,000 a year for the emergency service. After officials discovered they were paying thousands more than surrounding counties, they started renegotiation discussions. The result was the county only paying $16,000 a year, but citizens without insurance could have to pay the bill out of pocket. “With me being pregnant and not having any insurance, there’s no way I could pay for a helicopter ride, even if I had to,” Amy McCage said. Hospital Wing representatives said the cost of a ride without insurance could be $20,000 depending on the distance. In the previous agreement between the county and Hospital Wing, anyone who lived in the county could receive the service for free. Budget director Larry Livingston said details have yet to be finalized. “We should be able to work our contract because other counties were not paying as much,” Livingston said. Budget officials said the county will not have to pay any Hospital Wing fees until Nov. 1, when the new payment agreement begins.
