Frequently Asked Questions

Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic uses small regional airports, not major commercial airports. These smaller airports are often closer to your home than big city airports, less crowded and easier to navigate, more convenient with parking right near the terminal and staffed by friendly people in a relaxed atmosphere. When you're approved for an Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic flight, our Transportation Coordinator will tell you exactly which airport to go to and what time to arrive. You're responsible for getting yourself to and from these small airports.

Most transportation is completely free. There is no cost to you for ground transportation (Uber/Lyft vouchers up to 30 miles one way, gas cards and train tickets for appointments within 100 miles), volunteer pilot flights (typically for trips between 200-475 miles and in some cases up to 1,000 miles) and all coordination and support (scheduling, booking and trip assistance). Minimal out-of-pocket costs may apply only for commercial airline flights. For longer trips (over 475 miles), we cover the full ticket price, but you're responsible for mandatory airline taxes and fees, usually $25-$55 per person each way. We'll always tell you upfront if any costs apply. If these fees create a hardship, please let us know and we may be able to find another option.

Yes, Mercy Medical Angels serves individuals and families with financial need. Our income guidelines are based on household size and annual income. During the application process, you'll provide proof of income, and our team will review it confidentially. We also consider household size and dependents, medical expenses and debt, other financial obligations and special circumstances (job loss, disability or recent financial hardship). Don't let income concerns stop you from applying. If you're close to the guidelines or have special circumstances, submit your request anyway. Our team will work with you to determine eligibility and may be able to assist depending on your situation.

Yes. We take your privacy very seriously and comply with all HIPAA regulations. All personal and medical information is encrypted and stored securely. We only share information with authorized transportation providers as needed to coordinate your travel. Your information is never sold, shared with marketers or used for any purpose other than providing transportation assistance.

No problem! We have several options. Visit a library, as most public libraries have free computer access and staff who can assist. Ask a family member or friend, as someone you trust can submit the request on your behalf. Contact your social worker, as hospital social workers can submit requests for patients. Technology should never be a barrier to getting assistance.

Delivery time depends on the type of card you choose. Virtual Gas Card (Recommended) is delivered by email within one week after your application has been processed, it can be used immediately at participating gas stations and requires no waiting for mail delivery. Physical Gas Card is mailed to your address, typically arrives in 3-4 weeks and you'll need to wait until it arrives before using it. We strongly recommend choosing the virtual card for faster access to your assistance. Virtual cards work just like physical cards and can be used at most major gas stations. If you need assistance using a virtual card, our team can guide you through the process.

Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic flight times vary based on distance. For trips around 200-300 miles, typically 2-4 hours total travel time (faster than driving) and may be completed as a single flight with one pilot. For longer trips (300-1000 miles), they are often split into multiple legs with different volunteer pilots. Two-leg missions typically take 4-6 hours total, and three-leg missions typically take 6-8 hours total. We will never schedule more than three legs. These times don't include ground time at airports between legs. Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic volunteer pilots coordinate all the logistics, so you just need to show up at your departure airport.

We recommend submitting your request as soon as you schedule your medical appointment, but we can only accept requests with a minimum of 7 days before your appointment and a maximum of 45 days before your appointment. Ideal timing is 3-4 weeks in advance, which gives us the best opportunity to coordinate volunteers, find the best flight options and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Gas cards are available for patients who have access to their own vehicle and are traveling to medical appointments within about 100 miles, or who travel more than 100 miles total round trip within a one-month period. We determine the amount based on your distance and the number of trips, then calculate how much fuel assistance you'll receive. We send you the card as either a virtual gas card by email or a physical card by mail. You use it for your medical travel to purchase fuel for trips to and from your approved appointments. For patients with recurring treatments such as dialysis, chemotherapy or rehabilitation, we may provide a monthly gas card amount to cover all trips during that period.

Uber or Lyft vouchers provide door-to-door transportation for local medical appointments more than 30 miles away round trip, but less than 70 miles round trip. You create your own account by downloading the Uber or Lyft app on your phone. If you need assistance setting it up, your coordinator can guide you through it. We send your ride voucher by email. Add it to your Uber wallet by following the instructions provided. The voucher will include enough credits to cover your approved medical travel. You book your rides and schedule trips to and from your medical appointments directly through the app. Your rides are covered automatically when you select the voucher as your payment method before booking. The ride cost will be deducted from your voucher balance with no out-of-pocket payment required. Please note that tips are not covered by the voucher. If you'd like a step-by-step tutorial, ask your coordinator for a copy. This program is especially beneficial for patients who don't drive or don't have access to a vehicle.

You can submit your documents during the online request process in one of two ways. Upload directly by dragging and dropping your files or clicking to browse. We accept PDF, JPG and PNG formats. We can also accept a photo taken with your cell phone camera. If you are unable to upload, you can also submit documents by email after receiving instructions from your coordinator. Take a photo by using your phone's camera to photograph your documents clearly and upload the images.

You don't need to specifically request Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic. Simply submit your transportation request through our website, and our team will review your distance, location and medical needs to determine the best travel option for you. Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic flights are typically available for trips between 100 and 475 miles one way (and in some cases up to 1,000 miles), we serve patients within our 11-state service area and accept requests with appointments scheduled at least 7-10 days' in advance. It is important to note we can only accept appointments scheduled with at least 7-10 days' advance notice and patients who are medically stable and can sit upright during flight.