Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Full transparency is important to us. You can download our annual report, view audited financial statements and access our IRS Form 990 in the resource center. All documents are updated annually by December 31st.

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Online donations must be completed by 11:59 PM ET on December 31st. Check donations must be postmarked by December 31st. Stock/securities: Allow 5 business days and submit by December 26th.

Only 11% covers administrative and operational costs. Keeping overhead low means more assistance for patients.

Instead of receiving gifts, ask friends and family to donate to assist patients reach medical care! It's a meaningful way to celebrate while assisting others. Create your birthday fundraiser on our website.

Try these quick fixes: Clear your browser cache, disable ad blockers for our site and try a different browser. Alternative ways to donate: Text MERCY to 44321 or call 757-576-4529.

Of course! Every contribution matters. Make a one-time corporate donation, organize employee giving or explore creative partnerships. No minimum required.

Yes, Mercy Medical Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 52-1374161). Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

You can make a big difference at any age! Start a lemonade stand, organize a school fundraiser or ask for donations instead of birthday gifts. Get your parents' permission and create your fundraiser on our website.

89% of your donation goes directly to patient transportation programs including commercial flights, volunteer pilot missions and ground travel assistance. The remaining 11% covers necessary administrative and operational costs.

89% of every dollar goes directly to patient transportation programs.

Choose any amount to give monthly through Hope in Action. Your donation automatically processes on the same date each month using your preferred payment method (credit card, debit card, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal or bank transfer). You can modify or cancel anytime.

Update your payment method anytime by logging in with your email on our website. You can change your credit card, debit card or bank account details instantly. Changes take effect for your next scheduled donation. Prefer to update by phone? Call 757-576-4529.

Most missions use single-engine, four- to six-seat aircraft. Some missions use twin-engine or turboprop aircraft. Experimental aircraft are not approved for transporting patients due to insurance and safety considerations.

Patients and escorts sign a liability waiver before flights. Good-Samaritan-style protections may apply to public-benefit flights flown without charge. For specific legal details, consult legal counsel and authoritative sources.

Pilots must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance, with no less than $100,000 per seat, on any aircraft used for Angel Flights. This coverage must be active and verifiable before any mission is assigned. Mercy Medical Angels does not provide supplemental insurance and cannot share costs associated with pilot coverage.

Safety always comes first. Pilots should cancel if weather, mechanical issues or personal emergencies arise. Contact the Transportation Coordinator at 757-679-0330 during business hours or 800-683-2659 after hours, and email afmalogistics@mercymedical.org as soon as you know of the change. Our staff will notify the passenger and work to arrange alternate transport.

To qualify as a command pilot, you must have a minimum of 500 Pilot-in-Command (PIC) hours. Pilots still building hours may assist in other support roles until they meet the PIC requirement.

Patients are asked to provide 7-10 full business days' notice when possible. However, short-notice requests can occur due to last-minute appointment changes, weather delays or mechanical issues with previously arranged flights.

Routes are planned to keep individual legs around 200-300 nautical miles. For longer trips, missions are linked with other volunteer pilots from different regions. Pilots can volunteer for multiple legs if their aircraft and schedule allow.

A Transportation Coordinator screens patient applications for eligibility and medical approval, then posts missions on missions.angelflightmidatlantic.org. Volunteer pilots review mission details, accept flights they can support and coordinate timing, FBO locations and weather forecasts directly with the passenger.

No, but you must have ready access to one. Minimum requirements include 12 hours flown in the last 90 days and at least 50 hours time-in-type. Some missions may arise on short notice, so reliable aircraft access is essential.

Pilots volunteer their time and cover aircraft, fuel and all other flight costs. These expenses cannot be charged to or shared by the patient. Many FBOs offer fuel discounts for humanitarian flights, and some airports waive landing fees. Ask your local FBO about available discounts.

An instrument rating (IFR) is strongly encouraged but not required for all missions. Many patient flights are affected by weather conditions, and pilots with IFR certification can safely accept more missions and provide more consistent service. While we may prioritize IFR-rated pilots for certain flights, VFR-only pilots are welcome to apply and will still have opportunities to serve when conditions and routes allow.

Yes. Pilots may use aircraft they rent, lease or have access to through a flying club or flight school, provided all insurance and FAA requirements are met.

Angel Wings for Veterans is our specialized program serving Veterans, active-duty military members, first responders and their families. This program provides transportation assistance for travel to distant medical care and specialty treatments, PTSD and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) treatment access, service dog acquisition and training, healing retreats and therapeutic programs (such as equine-assisted therapy), adaptive sports events and wellness programs, and reunion travel with family members. Veterans can apply for the same air and ground transportation services as all our patients, with additional support for Veteran-specific needs.

Yes. Angel Wings for Veterans can provide transportation assistance for Veterans traveling to healing retreats focused on PTSD, TBI or Veteran wellness, equine-assisted therapy programs, adaptive sports events and clinics, wilderness therapy or outdoor recreation programs, and other therapeutic programs specifically designed for Veterans. These programs must be vetted and focused on Veteran health and wellness. Include program details and appointment/event dates in your request for approval.

Yes. Veterans, active-duty service members and first responders are eligible for transportation assistance if they meet the same basic criteria as other patients: traveling for medical care, treatment or service dog acquisition; household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; traveling a minimum distance of 100 miles total in a month; providing at least 7-10 days' advance notice; and being ambulatory and medically stable for travel. We understand that Veterans may need transportation for Veteran-specific services beyond traditional medical appointments, such as counseling, rehabilitation or adaptive programs. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs. We'll assist in determining the best travel option available.

Yes. You will need to provide your DD214 to verify your military service.

Yes! Angel Wings for Veterans provides transportation assistance for Veterans traveling to vetted service dog organizations to pick up a trained service dog, participate in service dog training programs and attend service dog evaluation appointments. This assistance is available for Veterans with PTS, TBI or other service-connected conditions who are working with accredited service dog organizations. Submit your request and include information about the service dog program and your appointment schedule.

To submit a complete referral, you'll need the patient's full name, date of birth, address, phone and email; appointment details (date, time, facility name and address, treating physician); patient's medical condition (general information, not detailed medical records); proof of patient's income (tax return, SSI letter, bank statements or pay stubs); appointment verification (letter, portal screenshot or email from medical facility); and patient's mobility status and any special medical needs.

If a patient's income exceeds the standard eligibility limits but they're facing substantial medical debt, we can review the situation on a case-by-case basis. We'll ask for documentation verifying the medical debt, such as billing statements or payment plans. Once received, the request is referred to upper management for review and approval. Our goal is to ensure that patients with genuine financial hardship still have access to the care and transportation they need.

You have two options: Complete the request on behalf of your patient by filling out the online form with the patient's information and required documents, or give the link  directly to the patient or family so they can complete it themselves. Both options are available through our online request system.

Yes! Healthcare professionals can request assistance for their patients. You have two options: Complete the form on behalf of the patient by providing all patient information and required documents, or generate a shareable link to create a unique link/QR code to give to the patient or family so they can complete the form themselves (this protects patient privacy/HIPAA). We understand that social workers and case managers play a crucial role in connecting patients with resources. We've designed our process to make it easy for you to assist your patients access transportation to medical care.