Air Methods (AIRM) 10-Q 9 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	2-May-14
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AIR METHODS CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000816159	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	39,151,441
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$8,103	$9,862
Receivables:	'	'
Trade, net (note 4)	252,880	237,856
Refundable income taxes	11,508	11,863
Other	6,933	953
Total receivables	271,321	250,672
Inventories	47,781	47,804
Work-in-process on medical interiors and products contracts	5,385	5,313
Assets held for sale	4,532	5,103
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	2,646	2,888
Refundable deposits	8,363	8,459
Prepaid expenses and other (note 6)	10,869	10,449
Total current assets	359,000	340,550
Property and equipment:	'	'
Land	251	251
Flight and ground support equipment	615,352	584,059
Aircraft under capital leases	235,105	246,752
Aircraft rotable spare parts	43,019	41,391
Buildings and other equipment	55,422	51,601
Property and equipment, gross	949,149	924,054
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-264,653	-259,212
Net property and equipment	684,496	664,842
Goodwill (note 2)	128,737	128,121
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $14,652 and $13,397 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	86,875	88,215
Other assets	28,920	30,813
Total assets	1,288,028	1,252,541
Current liabilities:	'	'
Notes payable	5,696	2,616
Current installments of long-term debt	43,129	39,415
Current installments of obligations under capital leases	27,966	29,116
Accounts payable	17,409	20,431
Deferred revenue	5,047	3,463
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	1,651	2,232
Accrued wages and compensated absences	19,430	24,346
Due to third party payers	8,565	7,789
Deferred income taxes	16,106	13,748
Other accrued liabilities	21,628	19,162
Total current liabilities	166,627	162,318
Long-term debt, less current installments	498,534	477,038
Obligations under capital leases, less current installments	124,286	131,249
Deferred income taxes	89,790	86,131
Other liabilities	19,402	19,733
Total liabilities	898,639	876,469
Redeemable non-controlling interests	8,324	8,113
Stockholders' equity (note 3):	'	'
Preferred stock, $1 par value. Authorized 15,000,000 shares, none issued	'	'
Common stock, $.06 par value. Authorized 70,500,000 shares; issued 39,367,250 and 39,301,407 shares at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; outstanding 39,148,440 and 39,064,437 shares at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	2,345	2,343
Additional paid-in capital	115,116	112,890
Retained earnings	264,041	253,098
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-437	-372
Total stockholders' equity	381,065	367,959
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,288,028	$1,252,541

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$14,652	$13,397
Stockholders' equity (notes 8 and 9):	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.06	$0.06
Common stock, shares authorized	70,500,000	70,500,000
Common stock, shares issued	39,367,250	39,301,407
Common stock, shares outstanding	39,148,440	39,064,437

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenue:	'	'
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts (note 4)	$250,596	$193,824
Provision for uncompensated care (note 4)	-106,667	-85,992
Patient transport revenue, net	143,929	107,832
Air medical services contract revenue	44,761	54,458
Tourism and charter revenue	24,338	10,391
Medical interiors and products revenue	7,820	4,434
Dispatch and billing service revenue	2,288	2,114
Total revenue	223,136	179,229
Operating expenses:	'	'
Flight centers	88,406	85,152
Aircraft operations (note 6)	33,024	37,463
Tourism operating expenses	16,000	7,841
Cost of medical interiors and products sold	6,679	4,545
Cost of dispatch and billing services	2,529	1,300
Depreciation and amortization	20,516	20,122
Loss on disposition of assets, net	407	441
General and administrative	31,658	27,223
Operating expense	199,219	184,087
Operating income (loss)	23,917	-4,858
Other income (expense):	'	'
Interest expense	-5,529	-4,802
Other, net	-26	287
Income (loss) before income taxes	18,362	-9,373
Income tax benefit (expense)	-7,310	3,684
Net income (loss)	11,052	-5,689
Less net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	163	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	10,889	-5,689
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-65	'
Comprehensive income (loss)	$10,824	($5,689)
Basic income (loss) per common share (note 5) (in dollars per share)	$0.28	($0.15)
Diluted income (loss) per common share (note 5) (in dollars per share)	$0.28	($0.15)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	39,119,397	38,831,102
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	39,318,180	38,831,102

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$11,052	($5,689)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	20,516	20,122
Deferred income tax expense	6,017	1,616
Stock-based compensation	774	1,215
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	-975	-511
Loss on disposition of assets, net	407	441
Unrealized loss on derivative instrument	53	117
Loss from equity method investee	441	'
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets	-377	-4,273
Decrease (increase) in receivables	-19,925	15,295
Increase in inventories	-49	-2,603
Decrease (increase) in costs in excess of billings	242	-175
Decrease in accounts payable, other accrued liabilities, and other liabilities	-4,082	-10,943
Increase in deferred revenue and billings in excess of costs	1,003	110
Net cash provided by operating activities	15,097	14,722
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of equipment and leasehold improvements	-35,436	-11,847
Buy-out of previously leased aircraft	-5,554	-22,672
Proceeds from disposition and sale of equipment and assets held for sale	5,567	8,634
Decrease in other assets, net	535	993
Net cash used by investing activities	-34,888	-24,892
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	479	528
Borrowings under line of credit	15,000	31,527
Payments under line of credit	-2,000	-30,000
Payments for financing costs	-69	-113
Proceeds from long-term debt	19,965	52,162
Payments of long-term debt and notes payable	-7,755	-5,384
Payments of capital lease obligations	-8,661	-31,500
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	975	511
Proceeds from non-controlling interests	98	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	18,032	17,731
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-1,759	7,561
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,862	3,818
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,103	11,379
Interest paid in cash during the period	5,355	4,489
Income taxes paid in cash during the period	$51	$835

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Entered into notes payable to finance the purchase of aircraft	$5,696	'
Entered into capital leases to finance the purchase of aircraft and information systems hardware	548	2,707
Settled notes payable in exchange for the aircraft securing the debt	$2,616	$3,570

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	(1)           Basis of Presentation
		The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated financial statements for the respective periods. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013.
		The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company considers its critical accounting policies involving more significant judgments and estimates to be those related to revenue recognition, deferred income taxes, valuation of long-lived assets, and fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Acquisition_of_Subsidiaries

Acquisition of Subsidiaries	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisition of Subsidiaries	'
	(2)           Acquisition of Subsidiaries
	On December 13, 2013, via a newly formed subsidiary, Blue Hawaiian Holdings, LLC, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interests of Helicopter Consultants of Maui, LLC (doing business as Blue Hawaiian Helicopters) and certain of its affiliates (collectively, BHH) for a cash purchase price of $66.8 million, subject to final determination of working capital, as defined in the merger agreement, as of the closing date. At December 31, 2013, the Company had recorded a liability of $2,282,000 for the estimated increase to the purchase price for the change in working capital. The liability was revised to $3,182,000 during the first quarter of 2014 and paid during the second quarter. No further amounts are due to the sellers. The former owners of BHH hold a 10% ownership interest in Blue Hawaiian Holdings, LLC, which the Company can redeem at any time for a price based on BHH’s current operating results. Between June 13 and December 13, 2015, the former owners of BHH can require the Company to redeem their 10% ownership interest for a price based on same formula. The purchase price was financed primarily through borrowings under our Amended and Restated Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement with a commercial bank group.
	The allocation of the purchase price was as follows (amounts in thousands):
		Allocation at			Adjustments		Revised
		31-Dec-13					Allocation
	Aircraft	$	33,440			--		33,440
	Amortizable intangible assets		24,525			--		24,525
	Goodwill		5,985			590		6,575
	Other equipment and leasehold improvements		5,183			--		5,183
	Working capital accounts, net		5,964			310		6,274
	Total net assets	$	75,097			900		75,997
	Redeemable non-controlling interest		(6,065	)		--		(6,065	)
	Purchase price	$	69,032			900		69,932
	The Company is still evaluating the aircraft spare parts inventory and verifying open repair orders with aircraft parts vendors and other liabilities relating to pre-acquisition events. Therefore, the allocation of the purchase price is still subject to adjustment.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	(3)           Stockholders’ Equity
		Changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2014, consisted of the following (amounts in thousands except share amounts):
			Shares Outstanding		Amount
	Balances at January 1, 2014			39,064,437	$	367,959
	Issuance of common shares for options exercised			41,343		479
	Stock-based compensation			42,660		774
	Tax benefit from exercise of stock options			--		975
	Forfeiture of unvested restricted shares and related dividends			--		4
	Adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interests			--		50
	Other comprehensive loss			--		(65	)
	Net income			--		10,889
	Balances at March 31, 2014			39,148,440	$	381,065

Patient_Transport_Revenue_Reco

Patient Transport Revenue Recognition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Patient Transport Revenue Recognition [Abstract]	'
Patient Transport Revenue Recognition	'
	(4)           Patient Transport Revenue Recognition
	Trade receivables are presented net of allowances for contractual discounts and uncompensated care. The Company determines its allowances for contractual discounts and uncompensated care based on estimated payer mix, payer reimbursement schedules, and historical collection experience. The allowances are reviewed monthly and adjusted periodically based on actual collections. Billings are charged off against the uncompensated care allowance when it is probable that the receivable will not be recovered. The allowance for contractual discounts is related primarily to Medicare and Medicaid patients. The allowance for uncompensated care is related primarily to receivables recorded for self-pay patients.
	The Company has not changed its discount policies related to self-pay patients or deductible and copayment balances for insured patients during either 2014 or 2013. The allowance for uncompensated care was 37.7% of receivables from non-governmental payers as of March 31, 2014, compared to 39.2% at December 31, 2013, and 42.4% at March 31, 2013. Receivables from private insurance providers accounted for 63% of receivables from non-governmental payers as of March 31, 2014, compared to 60% as of December 31, 2013, and 59% as of March 31, 2013. The remainder of receivables from non-governmental payers are attributable to self-pay patients.
	The Company recognizes patient transport revenue at its standard rates for services provided, regardless of expected payer. In the period that services are provided and based upon historical experience, the Company records a significant provision for uncompensated care related to uninsured patients who will be unable or unwilling to pay for the services provided and a provision for contractual discounts related to Medicare and Medicaid transports. Air medical services contract revenue consists of monthly fees and hourly flight fees billed to hospitals or other institutions under exclusive operating agreements. These fees are earned regardless of when, or if, the institution is reimbursed for these services by its patients, their insurers, or the federal government. As a result, the Company does not maintain an allowance or provision for uncompensated care for air medical services contract revenue and related receivables.
	Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts but before provision for uncompensated care, by major payer class, was as follows (amounts in thousands) for the quarters ended March 31:
		2014		2013
	Third-party payers	$	178,933		142,840
	Self-pay		71,663		50,984
	Total	$	250,596		193,824

Income_per_Share

Income per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income per Share [Abstract]	'
Income per Share	'
	(5)           Income per Share
		Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by all outstanding and dilutive potential common shares during the period.
		In accordance with FASB ASC 480-10-S99, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and solely for the purpose of calculating earnings per share, net income was increased by $50,000 for an adjustment to the value of redeemable non-controlling interests.
		The reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding is as follows for the quarters ended March 31:
			2014		2013
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic			39,119,397		38,831,102
	Dilutive effect of:
	Common stock options			125,950		--
	Unvested restricted stock			72,833		--
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted			39,318,180		38,831,102
		Common stock options totaling 47,500 were not included in the diluted shares outstanding for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	-6	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosures about how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities and establishes a hierarchy by which these assets and liabilities must be grouped based on the type of inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
		Level 1:	quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
		Level 2:	quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability; or
		Level 3:	unobservable inputs, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations.
		The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:
		Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable, notes payable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities:
			The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
			Derivative instruments:
	The Company endeavors to acquire jet fuel at the lowest possible cost and to reduce volatility in operating expenses through the use of short-term purchased call options. Financial derivative instruments covering fuel purchases are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets at fair value. Fair value is determined based on quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of all fuel derivative instruments included in prepaid expenses and other current assets was $17,000 at March 31, 2014 and $0 at December 31, 2013. The Company’s financial derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting, and, therefore, realized and non-cash mark to market adjustments are included in aircraft operations expense in the Company’s statement of income. Aircraft operations expense included a non-cash mark to market derivative loss of $53,000 for the first quarter of 2014, compared to $117,000 for the first quarter of 2013. There were no cash settlements under the terms of the agreements in the first quarter of 2014 or 2013.
			Long-term debt:
		The fair value of long-term debt is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy because it is determined based on the present value of future contractual cash flows discounted at an interest rate that reflects the risks inherent in those cash flows. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and average maturities and on recent transactions, the fair value of long-term debt as of March 31, 2014, is estimated to be $536,987,000, compared to carrying value of $541,663,000. The fair value of long-term debt as of December 31, 2013, was estimated to be $513,436,000, compared to a carrying value of $516,453,000.

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Business Segment Information	'
	-7	Business Segment Information
		Summarized financial information for the Company’s operating segments is shown in the following table (amounts in thousands). Amounts in the “Corporate Activities” column represent corporate headquarters expenses, corporate income tax expense, and results of insignificant operations. The Company does not allocate assets between all operating segments for internal reporting and performance evaluation purposes. Operating segments and their principal products or services are as follows:
		●	Air Medical Services (AMS) - provides air medical transportation services to the general population as an independent service and to hospitals or other institutions under exclusive operating agreements. Services include aircraft operation and maintenance, medical care, dispatch and communications, and medical billing and collection.
		●	Tourism – provides helicopter tours and charter flights, primarily focusing on Grand Canyon and Hawaiian Island tours.
		●	United Rotorcraft (UR) Division - designs, manufactures, and installs aircraft medical interiors and other aerospace and medical transport products for domestic and international customers.
			AMS			Tourism			UR			Corporate			Intersegment			Consolidated
	For quarter ended March 31:											Activities			Eliminations
	2014
	External revenue		$	190,978			24,338			7,820			--			--			223,136
	Intersegment revenue			--			--			3,067			--			(3,067	)		--
	Total revenue			190,978			24,338			10,887			--			(3,067	)		223,136
	Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization			(142,247	)		(20,011	)		(9,510	)		(9,511	)		2,576			(178,703	)
	Depreciation & amortization			(17,912	)		(1,564	)		(538	)		(502	)		--			(20,516	)
	Interest expense			(4,196	)		(622	)		--			(711	)		--			(5,529	)
	Other income, net			387			--			--			(413	)		--			(26	)
	Income tax expense			--			--			--			(7,310	)		--			(7,310	)
	Segment net income (loss)			27,010			2,141			839			(18,447	)		(491	)		11,052
	Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests			(48	)		211			--			--			--			163
	Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries		$	27,058			1,930			839			(18,447	)		(491	)		10,889
	2013
	External revenue		$	164,406			10,391			4,421			11			--			179,229
	Intersegment revenue			--			--			1,771			--			(1,771	)		--
	Total revenue			164,406			10,391			6,192			11			(1,771	)		179,229
	Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization			(141,061	)		(9,487	)		(6,298	)		(8,702	)		1,583			(163,965	)
	Depreciation & amortization			(18,709	)		(589	)		(425	)		(399	)		--			(20,122	)
	Interest expense			(4,006	)		(220	)		--			(576	)		--			(4,802	)
	Other income, net			254			--			--			33			--			287
	Income tax benefit (expense)			--			--			--			3,684			--			3,684
	Segment net income (loss)		$	884			95			(531	)		(5,949	)		(188	)		(5,689	)

Acquisition_of_Subsidiaries_Ta

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of purchase price allocation	'
		Allocation at			Adjustments		Revised
		31-Dec-13					Allocation
	Aircraft	$	33,440			--		33,440
	Amortizable intangible assets		24,525			--		24,525
	Goodwill		5,985			590		6,575
	Other equipment and leasehold improvements		5,183			--		5,183
	Working capital accounts, net		5,964			310		6,274
	Total net assets	$	75,097			900		75,997
	Redeemable non-controlling interest		(6,065	)		--		(6,065	)
	Purchase price	$	69,032			900		69,932

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of changes in stockholders' equity	'
		Shares Outstanding		Amount
	Balances at January 1, 2014		39,064,437	$	367,959
	Issuance of common shares for options exercised		41,343		479
	Stock-based compensation		42,660		774
	Tax benefit from exercise of stock options		--		975
	Forfeiture of unvested restricted shares and related dividends		--		4
	Adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interests		--		50
	Other comprehensive loss		--		(65	)
	Net income		--		10,889
	Balances at March 31, 2014		39,148,440	$	381,065

Patient_Transport_Revenue_Reco1

Patient Transport Revenue Recognition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Patient Transport Revenue Recognition [Abstract]	'
Schedule of flight revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts but before the provision for uncompensated care, by major payer class	'
		2014		2013
	Third-party payers	$	178,933		142,840
	Self-pay		71,663		50,984
	Total	$	250,596		193,824

Income_per_Share_Tables

Income per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	'
		2014		2013
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic		39,119,397		38,831,102
	Dilutive effect of:
	Common stock options		125,950		--
	Unvested restricted stock		72,833		--
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted		39,318,180		38,831,102

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of summarized financial information for the Company's operating segments	'
		AMS			Tourism			UR			Corporate			Intersegment			Consolidated
	For quarter ended March 31:										Activities			Eliminations
	2014
	External revenue	$	190,978			24,338			7,820			--			--			223,136
	Intersegment revenue		--			--			3,067			--			(3,067	)		--
	Total revenue		190,978			24,338			10,887			--			(3,067	)		223,136
	Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization		(142,247	)		(20,011	)		(9,510	)		(9,511	)		2,576			(178,703	)
	Depreciation & amortization		(17,912	)		(1,564	)		(538	)		(502	)		--			(20,516	)
	Interest expense		(4,196	)		(622	)		--			(711	)		--			(5,529	)
	Other income, net		387			--			--			(413	)		--			(26	)
	Income tax expense		--			--			--			(7,310	)		--			(7,310	)
	Segment net income (loss)		27,010			2,141			839			(18,447	)		(491	)		11,052
	Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests		(48	)		211			--			--			--			163
	Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	$	27,058			1,930			839			(18,447	)		(491	)		10,889
	2013
	External revenue	$	164,406			10,391			4,421			11			--			179,229
	Intersegment revenue		--			--			1,771			--			(1,771	)		--
	Total revenue		164,406			10,391			6,192			11			(1,771	)		179,229
	Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization		(141,061	)		(9,487	)		(6,298	)		(8,702	)		1,583			(163,965	)
	Depreciation & amortization		(18,709	)		(589	)		(425	)		(399	)		--			(20,122	)
	Interest expense		(4,006	)		(220	)		--			(576	)		--			(4,802	)
	Other income, net		254			--			--			33			--			287
	Income tax benefit (expense)		--			--			--			3,684			--			3,684
	Segment net income (loss)	$	884			95			(531	)		(5,949	)		(188	)		(5,689	)

Acquisition_of_Subsidiaries_De

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (Details) (Blue Hawaiian Holdings, LLC, USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 13, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Blue Hawaiian Holdings, LLC	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ownership interest acquired (in hundredths)	100.00%	'	'
Cash purchase price	$66,800,000	'	'
Estimate of increase to purchase price for adjustments	'	$3,182,000	$2,282,000
Ownership interest acquired by former owners	'	10.00%	10.00%

Acquisition_of_Subsidiaries_De1

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Goodwill	$128,737	$128,121
Blue Hawaiian Holdings, LLC	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Aircraft	33,440	'
Amortizable intangible assets	24,525	'
Goodwill	6,575	'
Other equipment and leasehold improvements	5,183	'
Working capital accounts, net	6,274	'
Total net assets	75,997	'
Redeemable non-controlling interest	-6,065	'
Purchase price	69,932	'
Blue Hawaiian Holdings, LLC | Allocation at December 31, 2013	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Aircraft	'	33,440
Amortizable intangible assets	'	24,525
Goodwill	'	5,985
Other equipment and leasehold improvements	'	5,183
Working capital accounts, net	'	5,964
Total net assets	'	75,097
Redeemable non-controlling interest	'	-6,065
Purchase price	'	69,032
Blue Hawaiian Holdings, LLC | Adjustments	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Aircraft	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets	'	'
Goodwill	590	'
Other equipment and leasehold improvements	'	'
Working capital accounts, net	310	'
Total net assets	900	'
Redeemable non-controlling interest	'	'
Purchase price	$900	'

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balances at January 1, 2014	$367,959	'
Balances at January 1, 2014 (in shares)	39,064,437	'
Issuance of common shares for options exercised	479	'
Issuance of common shares for options exercised (in shares)	41,343	'
Stock-based compensation	774	1,215
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	42,660	'
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	975	'
Forfeiture of unvested restricted shares and related dividends	4	'
Adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interests	50	'
Other comprehensive loss	-65	'
Net income	10,889	-5,689
Balances at March 31, 2014	$381,065	'
Balances at March 31, 2014 (in shares)	39,148,440	'

Patient_Transport_Revenue_Reco2

Patient Transport Revenue Recognition (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Allowance for uncompensated care as a percentage of receivables from non-governmental payers (in hundredths)	37.70%	42.40%	39.20%
Private insurance provider receivables as a percentage of non-governmental payer receivables (in hundredths)	63.00%	59.00%	60.00%
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts	$250,596	$193,824	'
Third-party payers	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts	178,933	142,840	'
Self-pay	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts	$71,663	$50,984	'

Income_per_Share_Details

Income per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Increase in net income due to adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interest	$50	'
Reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	'	'
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	39,119,397	38,831,102
Dilutive effect of:	'	'
Common stock options (in shares)	125,950	'
Unvested restricted stock (in shares)	72,833	'
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	39,318,180	38,831,102
Common stock options	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted income per share (in shares)	47,500	'

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
			Estimate of Fair Value	Estimate of Fair Value	Carrying Amount	Carrying Amount	Aircraft operations expense	Aircraft operations expense	Fuel derivative contracts	Fuel derivative contracts
									Prepaid expenses and other current assets	Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of fuel derivative contracts	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$17,000	$0
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Non-cash mark to market derivative gain (loss)	-53,000	-117,000	'	'	'	'	-53,000	-117,000	'	'
Cash settlements under derivative contracts	0	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, fair value disclosure	'	'	$536,987,000	$513,436,000	$541,663,000	$516,453,000	'	'	'	'

Business_Segment_Information_D

Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	$223,136	$179,229
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	-178,703	-163,965
Depreciation and amortization	-20,516	-20,122
Interest expense	-5,529	-4,802
Other income, net	-26	287
Income tax benefit (expense)	-7,310	3,684
Segment net income (loss)	11,052	-5,689
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	163	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	10,889	-5,689
External revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	223,136	179,229
Intersegment revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	'	'
Operating Segments | AMS	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	190,978	164,406
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	-142,247	-141,061
Depreciation and amortization	-17,912	-18,709
Interest expense	-4,196	-4,006
Other income, net	387	254
Income tax benefit (expense)	'	'
Segment net income (loss)	27,010	884
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	-48	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	27,058	'
Operating Segments | AMS | External revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	190,978	164,406
Operating Segments | AMS | Intersegment revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	'	'
Operating Segments | Tourism	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	24,338	10,391
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	-20,011	-9,487
Depreciation and amortization	-1,564	-589
Interest expense	-622	-220
Other income, net	'	'
Income tax benefit (expense)	'	'
Segment net income (loss)	2,141	95
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	211	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	1,930	'
Operating Segments | Tourism | External revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	24,338	10,391
Operating Segments | Tourism | Intersegment revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	'	'
Operating Segments | UR	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	10,887	6,192
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	-9,510	-6,298
Depreciation and amortization	-538	-425
Interest expense	'	'
Other income, net	'	'
Income tax benefit (expense)	'	'
Segment net income (loss)	839	-531
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	839	'
Operating Segments | UR | External revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	7,820	4,421
Operating Segments | UR | Intersegment revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	3,067	1,771
Corporate Activities	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	'	11
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	-9,511	-8,702
Depreciation and amortization	-502	-399
Interest expense	-711	-576
Other income, net	-413	33
Income tax benefit (expense)	-7,310	3,684
Segment net income (loss)	-18,447	-5,949
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	-18,447	'
Corporate Activities | External revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	'	11
Corporate Activities | Intersegment revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	'	'
Intersegment Eliminations	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	-3,067	-1,771
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	2,576	1,583
Depreciation and amortization	'	'
Interest expense	'	'
Other income, net	'	'
Income tax benefit (expense)	'	'
Segment net income (loss)	-491	-188
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	-491	'
Intersegment Eliminations | External revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	'	'
Intersegment Eliminations | Intersegment revenue	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenue	($3,067)	($1,771)