Recently, Life Flight Network made it in the news for becoming the first air ambulance company to receive dual certification for IS-BAO and HAI-APS. The US air ambulance company seems to be making a lot of headlines lately with it now making an acquisition of another company, Northwest MedStar. This take-over will create a large air ambulance network across states like Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
What the Acquisition Means for the US Air Ambulance Company
With the acquisition of Northwest MedStar, Life Fight Network will expand its reach in providing medical transport via air. Eventually, it will end up operating an air ambulance network made up of 22 bases, 27 helicopters, and 12 small airplanes providing service across the four states. This takeover will make Life Flight Network the largest nonprofit air ambulance program throughout the nation.
While Life Flight Network is currently dispatching all its aircrafts out of Boise, Idaho, the expansion will result in growth with respect to dispatch centers as well. MedStar has its dispatch centers located at Felts Field in Spokane. These will remain open after the acquisition is finalized.
Based in Aurora, Oregon, Life Flight Network is also planning to expand its reach by opening new helicopter bases in Colville and Walla Walla in Washington. After the acquisition, the US air ambulance company will take over all six of MedStar’s existing bases – five in Washington and one in Missoula, Montana.
Growing Demand for Air Ambulance Programs Prompted the Acquisition
The deal to acquire Northwest MedStar by Life Flight Network is a result of the growing demand for air ambulance programs. Both companies have experienced rapid growth for many years. The rise in demand is prompted by the discontinuation of such transportation services by rural hospitals due to rising costs.
