My wife broke her back and needs to fly from Indy to Kansas City, how can she do it for free or really cheap?

Question

My wife was in an auto accident on Oct 26 in Indianapolis, Indiana and broke her back. She has been in the Methodist Hospital or the RHI rehab center in Indy since that date. She is going to be released from the rehab center this Friday (November 17) and come home. Home is in Hiawatha, Kansas, which is 100 miles northwest of Kansas City. Flying is the best option for traveling home, but what is available to take care of a patient with a broken back that is free for the patient or relatively cheap? Some one told me about Angleflight but I'm not that familiar with it.

My wife was in an auto accident on Oct 26 in Indianapolis, Indiana and broke her back. She has been in the Methodist Hospital or the RHI rehab center in Indy since that date. She is going to be released from the rehab center this Friday (November 17) and come home. Home is in Hiawatha, Kansas, which is 100 miles northwest of Kansas City. Flying is the best option for traveling home. My health insurance will not pay for transporting her across state lines unless the state she is going to has facilities that the state she is in does not have. In this case, Indiana has all the rehab she needs, but to get her home it's my insurance says I'm on my own. Since I spent sixteen days by her side, I spent a lot of money aready staying in motels and eating, therefore I was hoping someone knows how I could get her home with little cost. Last minute airlines tickets are generally high price. Some one told me about Angleflight but I'm not that familiar with it. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Angel Flight was created by a group of pilots who believe in the benefit of volunteering. We strive to keep all aspects of the organization volunteer.
Angel Flight is a non-profit charitable organization of pilots, volunteers, and friends.
Angel Flight will arrange free air transportation for any legitimate, charitable, medically related need. This service is available to individuals, and health care organizations.
Angel Flight will arrange transportation of those people who are financially distressed, or who are in a time-critical, non-emergency situation due to their medical condition.
Angel Flight primarily serves patients needing transportation to or from the heartland region.
Angel Flight is a member of the Air Care Alliance, a group of organizations providing similar services throughout the United States. By coordinating with other organizations, Angel Flight can arrange transportation for patients on longer flights to other parts of the country outside of the Heartland region. Angel Flight has also flown blood products for the Oklahoma Blood Institute and Red Cross in emergency situations.
Our Patients are usually traveling for surgery, chemotherapy, dialysis, and other treatments. A typical flight may carry patients requiring treatment at M.D. Anderson in Houston or the Shriner Hospital in Galveston, TX.
Angel Flight is financially supported primarily by our pilots who fly the missions (by donating the use of their airplanes and operating expenses) and by contributions from individuals, service clubs, social and religious groups and corporations. We receive no financial aid from any government entity. There is never a fee of any kind, either to the patient or the health care provider for an Angel Flight. The costs are paid by the volunteer pilots.

**You may not meet the needs for Angel flight, but airlines do not discount based on medical need nor will they offer free airfare. Depending on the at fault party, if she has a law suit filed, the airfare can be included in the money for damages. I dont think insurance policies cover airfare either, its not a medical expense. Flying with a broken back can be very uncomfortable and stressful. That passenger, depending on if they are recooperated enough to walk with a brace or not, could be a full carry on passenger. This means the agents or Sky Caps will have to carry them onto the plane and transfer them to and from the aisle chair. This can be very painful for the person with the disability. The agents have to lift them over the arm rests and can even agitate the injury.

IF she does fly, get a slider board for transfering and make sure the airline gets her a seat with a moveable arm rest. If she can, travel with an attendant or fly with her so that someone who knows her routine can be with her. Crew members will not assist her if she needs to use the lavatory mid-flight, again if she is mobile.

Do some research. Social workers at the hospital should be able to help with some information as far as how to get her home.

Answer 2

Angelflight tends to be more for people who are in need of immediate medical attention. Usually it's to fly patients to a hospital for a transplant, treatment, etc. I put the link below for you to check out their site. There is a way to request a flight through them via the website.

I'm not sure you are going to be able to find a free flight, I would contact the carriers that fly from Indy to your nearest airport and see what they can do.

Answer 3

Why does it have to be free or cheap? Your insurance should cover it. I would even check with my homeowners. If you can't get it free or cheap what's your alternative? You just may have to get out your wallet. I would certainly think it's for a good cause. Sound like the cost of this should be the least of your worries.

Answer 4

style in"airlines bereavement" interior the "seek for questions"field. you ought to be waiting to stumble on an airline that can assist you...you will ought to speak directly to a shopper help rep from the airline.

Answer 5

email [e-mail]....she is an expert on this kind of travel....Type in the subject line "travel with keewee"...she wont open mail if she doesnt know you.....good luck....

Answer 6

here is the link to the angelflight homepage

Answer 7

If you have health insurance is there anything they can do for you