Medevac flights may cost patients more: Apollo-Guardian contract renewal at center of issue

The cost of an emergency medical flight out of town may be going up.

Beginning May 2013, insurance provider Apollo Medi Trans will not cover 100 percent of costs charged by Guardian Flight, the air service that provides most medevacs here.

The expiration of a five-year contract between the two companies means Apollo will cover 80 percent of Medicare rates for Guardian-provided flights beginning May 1, 2013. Medevac rates are based on destination and care…