posted March 28, 2023

Air medical team will bring additional lifesaving emergency care to western South Dakota 

Hot Springs, SD, March 28, 2023 – A trusted name in air medical service will soon be ready to answer the call when residents of Fall River County and beyond need emergency care. Black Hills Life Flight announced today that it will open a new air medical base at the Hot Springs Ambulance station in the summer of 2023. Adding to their program already established in Rapid City, the new base will ensure that residents have access to superior air medical services with quicker response times for emergency and trauma situations. 

Black Hills Life Flight is part of Air Methods, the leading air medical provider in the United States offering critical care and transport in emergency situations, as well as interfacility transport when patients need to move between hospitals for specialized care.  

“We are excited to bring increased access to air medical care to the people of Fall River County and the surrounding area,” said Darryl Crown, account executive with Air Methods. “When the new base opens, we will provide even faster emergency medical service to residents and guests of the entire Black Hills area when every minute counts.” 

Black Hills Life Flight will be flying a Bell 407 helicopter. With blood stocked on board the aircraft, the crew of industry-leading critical care nurses and paramedics will be able to administer it to patients in-flight when there is a risk of severe blood loss and hemorrhagic shock.  

“Hot Springs Ambulance Service is very excited to join together with Black Hills Life Flight again in this partnership,” said Jacki Conlon, director of operations for Hot Springs Ambulance Service. “With the growth in the area, the addition of another helicopter will be an invaluable resource for not only the residents in Hot Springs, but for the entire Black Hills.” 

Air Methods believes everyone deserves access to lifesaving care without the need for memberships. They are in-network with most major insurance providers, including Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Aetna, Great Plains Indian Health Services, DAKOTACARE, Avera Health Plans, Sanford Health Plans, and many other leading health insurance companies. Insured patients are only responsible for their co-pay, deductible, or maximum out-of-pocket cost outlined in their policies.  

All patients transported by Black Hills Life Flight have access to robust patient advocacy services to help ensure affordability, regardless of insurance status. In an emergency requiring air medical service, a patient should be transported by the first available aircraft without waiting for a specific company to be available based on membership.