posted July 28, 2022

Air medical team brings lifesaving emergency care to Liberty County and surrounding areas 

Hinesville, GA, July 28, 2022 – A trusted name in air medical services is ready to answer the call when residents of Liberty County and beyond need emergency care. LifeStar 2 opened today in Hinesville, GA, serving South Georgia. 

The LifeStar program has been in Georgia for 37 years and is the oldest air medical provider in the state. It is part of Air Methods, the leading 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. The new base is located at 246 Wells Cemetery Rd., Hinesville, GA 31313. 

“Liberty County is excited for the opportunity to have this beneficial resource within our local community, “said Crystal Hensler, EMS director with the Liberty County Board of Commissioners. “Air medical transportation is vital to our emergency missions. We are grateful to have LifeStar 2 as a means of transportation with enhanced specialized medical care for critically injured or ill patients.”   

LifeStar 2 is flying a Bell 407 helicopter that can fly faster and carry more weight than most other aircraft in the area. With blood on board the aircraft, the fully staffed crew of industry-leading trauma clinicians can administer it to patients in-flight when there is a risk of severe blood loss or hemorrhagic shock. They are also trained and equipped for pediatric intensive care transport.  

“We will be able to facilitate air medical transports for trauma, STEMI, stroke, LVAD and ventilator patients to Level 1 or 2 trauma facilities or other tertiary care facilities,” said Jason Bober, area manager with Air Methods.  

Air Methods is committed to providing air medical services to all members of the communities they serve. Their average out-of-pocket patient cost per flight is $206 in Georgia, and they have secured in-network agreements with Anthem Georgia, UnitedHealthcare, and more than 30 additional health insurance companies. Additionally, their patient advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to ensure affordability. 

Membership is not required with Air Methods, or with any air medical provider. The Federal “No Surprises Act,” passed by Congress in 2020, went into effect on January 1, 2022, and eliminated any need for memberships. Under this Act, patients are only responsible for their copay/coinsurance or deductible, regardless of which company handles the transport. In an emergency requiring air medical service, the first available carrier should transport the patient to the hospital.