BREAK-EVEN ANALYSIS

St. Andrews Medical Center air ambulance operates out of the hospitals emergency department. The helicopter transports patients between hospitals and from accident scenes to St. Andrews emergency department. It is staffed 24/7 by a nurse, a paramedic, and a pilot. Monday through Friday, a mechanic and an office manager are also employed.

Annual personnel cost is $440,000 regardless of how many flights are made. Fuel costs average $65 per flight. Medical supplies add an additional $235 to each flights cost. The remaining costs are included in the monthly lease on the helicopter. Each month the emergency department pays the helicopter owner $45,000.

Currently the air ambulance flies about 600 missions a year. The average amount billed per flight is $2,250, usually paid by the patients insurance company.