Q: Will insurance companies pay for the services of FACT?
A: Most major commercial insurance companies will cover most of the costs if the transport is medically necessary. However, persons should check with their insurance company to discuss individual coverage.

Q: What about Medicare Coverage?
A: For Medicare to cover ground/air transport, a patient must be in a condition that would justify the need for transport. "Medical necessity" must be established. In addition, for maximum coverage, Medicare requires that the patient be transported to the "nearest appropriate facility."

Q: Will FACT move a patient to a hospital other that Fletcher Allen Health Care?
A:  If you are an inpatient at FAHC and need to go to another facility for critical services we are available to transport you.  If you are at a community hospital, we typically bring you to FAHC.  We do realize there may be special circumstances where a patient condition warrants transport to a hospital other than FAHC.  If resources are not available at your community hospital, we will consider each request on a case by case basis.

Q. Do you have a service available if you are traveling in the U.S. or abroad, become sick or injured and want to get back home?
A. NO. At present we are not able to extend our service beyond our immediate referral area.  We can however assist you in securing these services.  Please call our Operations manager at 1-888-389-3228

Q: If we call for FACT and then cancel the request is the patient charged?
A: NO.  FACT would only charge patients that actually are transported.  While we encourage referring hospitals to call early for our services we understand that situations change and we may be cancelled for a multitude of reasons.

Q: How long does it take you to respond?
A: FACT's goal is to be out-the-door in less than 20 minutes. Our crews are in-hospital.  A FACT nurse will call you back for report and will give you an ETA before departure to you.

Q: Does the referring hospital provide medical direction during transport?
A: NO. Once we have assumed care of the patient, Fletcher Allen Health Care assumes responsibility for the patient. Our medical direction is provided thru our protocols and the emergency room doctors at FAHC.  For pediatric transfers our medical direction comes directly from the Pediatric ICU attending MD.

Q: What information do you need for the transport?
A:

• Name of sending facility including unit location - ED, CCU, ICU, etc
• Phone number of sending unit and contact person
• Age and approximate weight of patient
• Nature of illness
• Special equipment needed
• Current medication infusions
• Relevant vital signs
• Name of receiving institution including unit destination 
• Name of accepting MD

Q: When do I call?
A: Once you have determined that a critical care / specialty care level transport is needed, please call us immediately(1-888-389-3228) so we can get on the road to you.

Q: Does FACT do on-scene calls or 911 intercepts?
A: NO. FACT does not provide prehospital care.

Q: Can I schedule a transport for FACT days or hours in advance?
A: NO. Due to the nature and immediate need for critical care transports, FACT cannot pre-schedule transports.  Please call us when the patient is ready for transport and we will try to accommodate all appropriate requests for transfer.

Q: What if FACT has multiple transport requests or receives a critical request while enroute to my hospital?
A:  FACT utilizes a triage system for patient transport involving both the sending and receiving physicians.   This way, we are able to establish the most appropriate use of our services.  If we do have to divert from your hospital, we can often send a second crew to transport your patient.  If not, we will assist you getting that patient to FAHC.

Q: How should I prepare my patient for transport?
A:

• Secure the airway if possible
• Trauma patients require appropriate spinal immobilization and two large bore IV's
• Cardiac patients with a vasoactive infusion running should also have two IV's
• Insert foley catheter if appropriate
• Insert Nasogastric tube (Orogastric tube if head injured) on patients who have an altered level of consciousness, abdominal trauma, endotracheally intubated or multi-system trauma
• Copy of medical records
• Pertinent laboratory and diagnostic data
• Copy of all X Rays and CT Scans
• Pre-hospital records

Q: What if the weather looks bad. Should I still request FACT?
A:  YES!  Let our crew make the determination about traveling to your hospital.  We should be able to determine quickly if it is safe to transport.

Q: Will FACT take my equipment; and if so how will I get it back?
A:  FACT has a full complement of specialty equipment to manage most critical care transport patient needs.  If we do have to take any equipment from your facility, we will arrange for it to be back at your institution in less than 48 hours at no cost to you.

Q: Does FACT have a ride-along program?
A: At present, all requests for riding with FACT must be approved by our Operations manager.

If you have any other questions please call our Operations manager at 1-802-847-2837

Transport Request Line: 1-888-389-3228