Putnam County’s medical helicopter service brought a proposal to Putnam County Commissioners on Monday for residents’ coverage should they need a flight for medical purposes.

Jill Spaulding represented Staff Flight at the meeting Monday morning.  She says most think that their insurance will cover such a transport from its base at the Putnam County Regional Airport.

She says most think that their insurance will cover such a transport.

Spaulding says a patient can request Staff Flight.  But weather, availability and other factors play in to that.  So, Staff Flight may not always be the medical transport available.  In 2021, there were 181 requests for Staff Flight in Putnam and surrounding counties. Of those, the company covered 75.

Spaulding says there are other packages offered residents that can be purchased for total coverage.  For example, if a Putnam County resident was on vacation in another state that Staff Flight services and needs the assistance the company offers, they could.  The offer to the county is to help cover Putnam residents in Putnam County and its border counties.

The Putnam County Commissioners tabled the issue for further discussion.