Covenant Health Air
Covenant Health Air – Taking Healthcare to New Heights
When a medical emergency requires speed, skill and precision, Covenant Health Air is equipped to deliver the right care, at the right time, in the right place for the communities we serve. With state-of-the-art aircraft, experienced flight teams and seamless coordination across Covenant Health’s network, we deliver critical care when it’s needed most.
Serving Our Region from Above
Covenant Health Air serves communities throughout East Tennessee and surrounding areas of Kentucky and North Carolina, working alongside Covenant Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS), local EMS agencies and hospitals to ensure timely access to advanced medical care.
Services We Provide
Covenant Health Air supports a wide range of patient needs, including:
- Scene response for trauma and medical emergencies
- Interfacility and specialty transfers between hospitals
- Support for rural communities and access to higher levels of care
Advanced Air Medical Capabilities
-
Trauma
Comprehensive trauma support, including whole blood administration and point-of-care ultrasound for rapid assessment and decision-making -
Cardiac
Advanced cardiac transport for STEMI patients, including Impella and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support -
Stroke
Specialized transport following thrombolytic treatment, providing continued monitoring and care for stroke intervention
-
High-Risk Obstetrics
Transport for patients with serious pregnancy-related conditions, including eclampsia, preterm labor and ongoing tocolytic monitoring -
Medical/Respiratory
Advanced pulmonary disease management and respiratory failure support -
Pediatric and Neonatal
Specialized transport for infants and children, including neonatal transport capabilities with baby pods
Air Medical Transport You Can Trust
Covenant Health is committed to being the first and best choice for care for the communities we serve. We extend that commitment by providing air medical transport that is fully integrated within Covenant Health’s system of care.
As the largest healthcare provider in East Tennessee, Covenant Health helps connect patients to the right level of care quickly and safely, with support from a health system they know and trust.
Safety You Can Trust
- State-of-the-art, dual-engine aircraft
- Highly trained, experienced aviation pilots
- Continuous, 24/7 availability
- Night vision goggle technology
Expert Care and Continuity
- Critical care trained nurses and flight medics
- Coordinated transfers through our patient transfer center
- Seamless collaboration with Covenant Health hospitals and EMS, supporting ground-to-air continuity of care
Our Aircraft and Bases
Our growing air medical program includes:
- Two dual-engine Airbus H135 helicopters dedicated to air medical response
- Strategically located bases in Roane County and Hamblen County
- Aircraft equipped with advanced medical technology comparable to hospital-based intensive care units
Our Aviation Partner
All aviation and billing services for Covenant Health Air are provided by Air Methods, a leader in air medical transportation with decades of operational experience. All healthcare services are provided by Covenant Health. Through this partnership, patients receive expert medical care supported by trusted aviation professionals.
Careers in Air Medical Transport
Looking to take your healthcare career to new heights? Covenant Health Air offers opportunities for skilled, compassionate flight nurses and paramedics who are ready to serve patients in their moments of need.
Pilots are employed by Covenant Health Air’s aviation partner, Air Methods. Learn more about Air Methods career opportunities.
Covenant Health Air FAQs
What is Covenant Health Air?
Covenant Health Air provides emergency air medical transport across East Tennessee.
With two strategically located helicopter bases, advanced aircraft and highly trained flight
crews, Covenant Health Air helps ensure patients receive lifesaving care and rapid
transport when every second counts.
Do I need an air ambulance membership?
No. Covenant Health Air’s transport partner, Air Methods, does not sell memberships.
Most patients do not need an air ambulance membership because:
- Air medical transport is rarely needed.
- Medicare Part B and Medicaid cover medically necessary air transport.
- Most private insurance plans provide air ambulance coverage.
- The No Surprises Act protects privately insured patients from unexpected balance
bills for emergency air ambulance services.
Additionally, in an emergency, patients cannot choose which air medical provider
responds. Emergency responders determine the most appropriate transport based on
medical needs and availability.
Will my insurance cover air medical transport?
Air Methods provides aviation and billing services on behalf of Covenant Health Air. Coverage varies by insurance plan, but many patients have coverage for medically necessary air transport.
- Air Methods is in-network with all major insurance providers in Tennessee.
- Medicare Part B and Medicaid beneficiaries have coverage for medically necessary
air ambulance services. - Patients with private insurance are protected by the No Surprises Act, which limits
out-of-pocket costs for emergency air ambulance transportation.
Patients are generally responsible only for applicable deductibles, copays or coinsurance,
similar to other healthcare services. For questions regarding billing services, you can call Air Methods at 855-896-9067 or email [email protected].
Can I request Covenant Health Air during an emergency?
No. Emergency medical professionals determine when air transport is medically necessary
and coordinate dispatch based on patient needs and aircraft availability.
If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Emergency responders will arrange the most
appropriate level of care and transportation.
Where does Covenant Health Air operate?
Covenant Health Air provides 24/7 emergency and interfacility transport across 25 counties
in East Tennessee and surrounding counties. Patients may be transported to the hospital
best equipped to meet their medical needs, whether or not it is a Covenant Health facility.
What type of helicopters does Covenant Health Air use?
Covenant Health Air operates Airbus H135 helicopters. These advanced, dual-engine
aircraft are designed for air medical transport and provide the reliability, performance and
flexibility needed to respond to emergencies across East Tennessee.
How does Covenant Health Air ensure patient safety?
Patient safety is our highest priority. Covenant Health Air’s dual-engine aircraft are
equipped with advanced medical technology and specialized monitoring capabilities that
support critical care during transport. Highly skilled Covenant Health flight nurses and
paramedics work alongside Air Methods’ experienced, highly trained pilots to provide safe,
reliable care in the air. Combined with rigorous safety standards and advanced equipment,
these resources help ensure high-quality care from the scene of an emergency to the
receiving hospital.
Why did Covenant Health launch an air medical program?
As East Tennessee continues to grow, Covenant Health is investing in faster access to
emergency and specialty care.
Covenant Health Air helps:
- Improve response times for critically ill and injured patients.
- Expand access to specialized treatments.
- Support approximately 1,600 interfacility patient transfers annually within the Covenant Health network.
- Provide rapid transport for time-sensitive emergencies such as stroke and cardiac events.
The program helps ensure patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right
place.
What types of emergencies benefit most from air transport?
Air medical transport can be especially important for conditions where every minute
matters, including:
- Critical illnesses requiring specialized hospital care
- Severe trauma and injuries
- Stroke emergencies
- Heart attacks and other cardiac emergencies
- High-risk pregnancy complications
Does Covenant Health Air only transport patients to Covenant Health hospitals?
No. Patients are transported to the facility best equipped to treat their condition.
However, Covenant Health offers nationally recognized specialty care destinations,
including:
Parkwest Medical Center
- Covenant Health’s designated cardiac and heart hospital
- Advanced interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery services
- Certified STEMI receiving center
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center
- Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center
- Comprehensive perinatal and neonatal services for high-risk pregnancy care
