Safety Recommendations For Medical Helicopters

Ntsb Wants U.s. Oversight Of Operations Like State Police

Dawn Mancuso, executive director of the Association of Air Medical Services, a trade group, said some companies have adopted some of the equipment called for and that "none of what we heard asked for here would be viewed in a wholly negative way by our members who are committed to safety." Tying Medicare payments to a safety review "was surprising to us, but it is an innovative approach" that "will keep the discussions lively."

In 2002, Medicare boosted reimbursements for medical helicopter transports, fueling growth and saturating some regions with bases.

Medicare pays ground ambulances depending on the sophistication of the care they provide. Medical helicopters all are treated alike. The NTSB recommended that the Medicare program evaluate paying more for more advanced programs.

Board member Robert L. Sumwalt recommended tying Medicare payments to safety audits, saying the board had "an opportunity to really make a difference" and use money as an incentive to hasten improvements. "We do have to push the envelope," Sumwalt said.

"We agree with evaluating air ambulance transportation standards and look forward to reviewing the NTSB's recommendations," said CMS spokesman Peter Ashkenaz.

NTSB Board Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said the board is "frustrated with the delays in FAA rule making." Three of four improvements for medical helicopters that NTSB suggested in 2006 to the FAA have yet to be required, she said.

The FAA announced this spring that rules requiring terrain warning systems could be in place by 2011.