CalStar Membership Update:
1. What is happening?
CALSTAR Air Medical Services LLC (CALSTAR) and REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) are entering into an agreement that will place CALSTAR within the same corporate holding company as REACH. This agreement will provide you access to the nation’s largest air ambulance membership program, the AirMedCare Network.
2. Why is this happening?
Both programs have been operating successful but separate critical care transport organizations for decades. Integrating CALSTAR and REACH will ensure that the resources of both programs are utilized effectively to provide the highest level of service to our healthcare partners, patients and members.
3. Who is REACH Air Medical Services?
REACH (www.reachair.com) has been headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, since its founding in 1987. The company, which includes Cal-Ore Life Flight, has more than 40 rotor and fixed-wing aircraft at more than 30 bases in California, Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. REACH also has bases affiliated with hospitals in Texas and assists customers in ground transport programs. In October 2015, REACH was named Program of the Year by the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), one of the air medical transport industry’s highest honors. REACH also is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services (CAMTS).
4. Who is the AirMedCare Network (AMCN)?
AMCN (www.AirMedCareNetwork.com) is the nation’s largest membership network of affiliated air ambulance providers. An AMCN membership ensures that the patient will have no out-of-pocket expense for medically necessary transports provided by any affiliated AMCN program.
5. Does my membership automatically enroll me in AMCN?
Yes. Your CALSTAR membership automatically enrolls you in the AirMedCare Network.
6. What actions do I need to take?
No immediate action is needed. The AirMedCare Network will take care of all membership changes.
7. Does AMCN offer the same reciprocity benefits as CALSTAR?
CALSTAR will not continue under its current reciprocity structure. However, as part of the AirMedCare Network, your membership coverage now extends to over 260 locations across 32 states. This benefit provides full coverage for all medically necessary transports provided by CALSTAR, REACH, Air Evac Lifeteam and Med-Trans Corporation.
8. What does AMCN charge for membership?
Will pricing change? At the time of renewal, you will be asked to remit payment at the AirMedCare Network annual group rate of $55.00, which covers everyone who resides in your household. There will not be an additional charge for the remainder of your current membership coverage period.
9. What happens to the existing CALSTAR bases and flight teams?
CALSTAR will continue to operate under its own unique brand and flight nurse staffing model. REACH and CALSTAR management foresee no base closures and are fully committed to maintaining the services that have made both organizations successful.
10. Who do I contact if I have membership questions?
Online: www.AirMedCareNetwork.com Phone: (800) 793-0010, Monday thru Friday, 8:00am – 8:00pm CST Email: Membership@AirMedCareNetwork.com
11. Who can I talk to about a patient billing question?
If you were transported by CALSTAR prior to September 1, please contact CALSTAR’s billing department at (800) 404-8226. If you were transported by either CALSTAR or REACH on or after September 1, please contact 877-288-5340.