So far this year, Gulf Shores residents have been assisted with medical transport 613 times, with the majority of them ground transport but also some via air ambulance.

Thanks to the city’s contract with AirMedCare those emergency transports cost the city’s residents nothing in a vast majority of those cases.

“We’ve had 55 residents transported via air ambulance this year,” Fire Department Chief of Staff Melvin told the city council at an Oct. 16 work session. “If you look at the average rate of that bill at probably $5,000 that’s a huge savings to our residents. If they don’t have insurance, they are normally billed at a Medicate rate, but this contract just ensures that their insurance is billed and they don’t get balance bills.”

The city first offered the service to residents in 2019 and it applies to any transports by MedStar or AirMed helicopters and it is available for any resident picked up in Baldwin County.

At the Oct. 23 meeting, the council will consider expanding the service through 2024 or the sixth year the city has provided the service. There are two contracts up for discussion, one for residents at $163,748 and one for employees for $16,500.

“I think this is an extraordinary offer for our residents and I’m asking you to tell more of them about it because I want them to be aware of this opportunity,” Mayor Robert Craft said. “I think everyone who has had to use it really appreciates it. I want to make sure everyone understands that benefit is here for you.”

Shepard said during 2023 alone, the ground transports saved the citizens about $245,000.

“For the air it’s a little harder to estimate, but could be as much as $275,000 to $500,000.00 saved by the residents,” Shepard said. “Any savings today are greatly helpful for everyone. We have in the past had some residents get billed but we have a representative that lives here in Gulf Shores named Bill Gilmore. They can reach out to him and his contact info is on the city’s website and he’ll be happy to help them fix that problem.”