Emergency and Critical Care Transport

Benefis Mercy Flight may be lifesaving for those needing emergency or critical care air transport. This hospital-based program has existed since 1983 and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems.

Mercy Flight offers specialized care for both adults and children. Depending on patient need, flight crews may contain highly experienced and certified registered nurses, paramedics, and registered respiratory therapists.

• Helicopter transports are contracted through Metro Aviation. They offer critical support at accident scenes and transport for patients in isolated areas. In addition, these flights are used to transport patients in surrounding communities to Benefis.
• Fixed wing air transports are contracted through Aero Air. These flights move patients requiring longer distance travel within Montana and to facilities in larger communities, such as Spokane and Seattle, Washington; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Denver, Colorado. With its size and capability, this plane also can land on some of the shortest runways in Montana. 
• Critical care ground transport offers a ground-based emergency response when weather grounds the helicopter or our fixed-wing. The vehicle also transports patients to and from rural locations when a higher level of care is required. All services provided by Mercy Flight now can also be offered in a ground critical care vehicle.  

Contacting Mercy Flight

In a medical emergency, always call 911 for assistance. Emergency service providers, law enforcement, and 911 centers have authority to dispatch Mercy Flight. We’re on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Please review this letter written by the Montana-based medical programs on behalf of the Montana Air Medical Alliance (MAMA) addressing the issue of "Helicopter Shopping."

If you need to reach Mercy Flight directly, please contact the Mercy Flight Communication Center at 800-972-4000.

Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems