Life Flight Network is now an in-network air ambulance provider in Montana with two more insurance companies, Life Flight Network said. An agreement with Allegiance and Cigna adds to its existing in-network agreements with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana and PacificSource. Announced Monday, Life Flight Network said the news was released days before the opening of its new helicopter base at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.

“Air ambulances provide a vital service in Montana. Bringing Life Flight Network into our provider networks is a major step forward,” said Ron Dewsnup, president of Allegiance Benefit Plan Management Inc. “Hospitals, EMS providers and patients should be concerned who provides their air ambulance transport.”

According to Life Flight Network, being in-network means that patients with participating insurance providers will not receive a balance bill for covered services, should they receive Life Flight Network transportation in Montana.

“While Senate Bill 44 addressed air ambulance billing, a patient may pay more if an out-of-network provider is used when an in-network provider is available,” the operator said.

Life Flight Network operates three helicopters in Montana: one based in Missoula, one based in Butte, and one based in Belgrade (starting today). Life Flight Network, as a whole, operates the Leonardo AW119Kx and AW109E, and the Airbus Helicopters H135.