After 25 Years Here, Air Evac Closes La Grange Helicopter Base
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A helicopter from Air Evac Lifeteam departs a landing zone at the La Grange High School practice field last October to transport a man who suffered medical emergency. Air Evac closed its base in La Grange last week. Record File Photo
Air Evac Lifeteam closed its emergency medical helicopter base in La Grange last week.
“Officials from Air Evac Lifeteam today announced the closing of the company’s base in La Grange, Texas, effective immediately,” the company said in a statement last Friday, May 26. “The Air Evac La Grange air medical base opened in 1998 and served patients within a 150-mile radius.”
The base was located next to St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange. St. Mark’s recently transitioned to a rural emergency hospital and cut many services, including inpatient care.
The Record asked the company which factors led to the decision to close the base, and whether the recent change in services at St. Mark’s played a part. Air Evac did not mention the hospital in their response.
“Low utilization of the service and decreasing reimbursement were significant factors in the decision to close the La Grange base,” the statement said.
Many residents in Fayette and surrounding counties participate in Air Evac’s membership program, AirMed-Care Network, which covers helicopter transport costs for members in the event of an emergency. The company will offer prorated refunds to members in this area.
“AirMedCare Network will be making prorated refunds available to members in the Austin, Bastrop, Brazos, Colorado, Fayette, Gonzales, Lavaca, Lee, Victoria, Washington and Wharton counties in Texas,” the statement said. “For members inquiring about prorated refunds, they can contact the AirMedCare Network membership department at (417) 255-2900 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.”
Fayette County EMS Director Josh Vandever said several other providers offer emergency helicopter transport in Fayette County. He said Fayette County EMS will likely utilize PHI Air Medical, which operates two nearby helicopter bases in Columbus and Cedar Creek. He said his crews could also call on Washington County EMS, which operates a medical helicopter, along with Starflight out of Austin.
“I don’t think outcomes for patients will be affected,” said Vandever. “We still have a lot of resources available. At the end of the day, our medics will make the best transportation decisions they can to minimize transport times.”