Thousands risk losing air ambulance insurance coverage

Imperial Valley REACH Air Medical Services staff and supporters said they fear thousands of residents will lose air ambulance coverage if El Centro hospital ends their contract with REACH in January.

REACH Business Development Director Donnie Wharton said, “By becoming a member with reach, at a fee that ranges from 55 to 65 dollars, covers the entire family, guarantees no out-of-pocket expense.”

They packed the hospital’s conference room at Tuesday’s Board of Trustee’s meeting.

“We have one of the highest concentration of members right here in imperial county. Highly popular. Covers close to 35,000 lives,” Wharton said.

El Centro educator Haydee Rodriguez shared how REACH had served her.

“For all intents and purposes, I should not be here. And, because of reach, I am,” Rodriguez said.

An Imperial Irrigation District official said many of their employees were members of REACH’s coverage plan.

Hospital officials said they want to work with REACH, but with more flexibility.

ECRMC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Adolphe Edward said, “Exercising the option of exiting the contract allows us for opportunities to evaluate what are we doing as a facility. And allow for us to be able to call anyone that’s available to respond.”

Another hospital official said the contract with REACH was too restrictive for their doctors to follow.

ECRMC Chief Medical Officer Christian Tomaszewski said, “There’s been times when it’s taken 40, 45 minutes and there was no response from reach. They have a conflict in terms of calling a secondary provider. I need to take that off their hands and make my doctors and nurses have the right to call whoever they feel can respond in a timely fashion.”

REACH said they hope the hospital would reconsider.

“I remain highly concerned,” Wharton said.