Having a child can be both exciting and a little scary. New parents want to be ready for their baby’s arrival and make sure they have all the necessary supplies, like cribs and diaper bags, prepared before the big day. Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, but some babies need special care at hospitals designed for that purpose. In the United States, it is estimated that about 9 –13% of newborns need neonatal intensive care each year. Experts believe this number may rise due to reasons like older mothers or existing health issues.
Levels of Neonatal Intensive Care
If you are giving birth far from advanced maternal or neonatal care, you might not have thought about the possibility of needing specialized help. In emergencies, you may require treatment and transport by air ambulance to a hospital with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Similar to trauma centers, NICUs are rated from Levels I to IV, based on the level of care they provide to their patients.
A healthy baby born at 35 weeks or more is usually cared for in a Level I NICU. This type of unit provides basic care, which includes diaper changes, feeding and checking vital signs occasionally. Most newborns only need this level of care.
Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) are often places where newborns go if they experienced some difficulties during birth or if they were born a little early or underweight. Most babies in Level II NICUs have problems that their medical team believes will improve over a short period of time without a lot of treatment.
Level III NICUs take care of babies with more serious health issues. These infants usually need to stay in the hospital longer than their mothers. They remain in a Level III NICU until they are healthy enough to move down to a Level II NICU. Babies who are born prematurely, those with mothers who have certain health conditions like Gestational Diabetes, babies with low APGAR scores (assessment after birth), or those who need surgery usually require the extra care found in Level III NICUs.
Level IV NICUs provide the highest level of newborn care, including surgeries and specialized treatment for heart and breathing problems. These units cater to babies with congenital issues, weighing less than 1,500 grams, or born before 32 weeks. There are only 152 Level IV NICUs in the United States, so infants may need to be flown to these centers if located far away.
As parents prepare for their baby’s arrival, thinking ahead about potential challenges can help ease worries about the birth. If you live far away from neonatal care and have a higher risk of needing NICU services, joining an air ambulance membership can be a wise choice. This membership can help cover the costs of air ambulance services for your baby and family. AirMedCare Network (AMCN) providers deliver critical care every day. Our members do not have to pay out of pocket to quickly transport their infants to the appropriate level of care. Some of these air ambulance services are associated with children’s hospitals, ensuring that specially trained NICU nurses and paramedics provide the best care for the smallest patients.
Discover how an AMCN membership can offer financial protection and peace of mind for you and your family today.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If an AirMedCare Network Provider does not transport you, you will be responsible for payment. Our membership program only covers transports provided by our affiliates.
There is no limit to the number of transports a member may take in a year. Each transport is handled the same way and must be an emergent or time-sensitive transport as determined by a physician (or other appropriate provider) or first responder unaffiliated with AMCN.
With an AirMedCare Network membership, any person or persons who reside under one (residential) roof are covered. In the event we have a member who lives in a duplex or apartment complex, we designate the primary member’s residence/address— that is considered the “one roof”. Undergraduate college students can be covered under their parent’s membership as well as anyone previously residing in the household who is then moved to a permanent care facility.
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