Air Methods (AIRM) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	1-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	AIR METHODS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	816159
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,266,618
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$24,779	$13,165
Receivables:
Trade, net (note 4)	297,958	293,985
Refundable income taxes	7,121	8,865
Other	2,950	4,802
Total receivables	308,029	307,652
Inventories	45,687	46,095
Work-in-process on medical interiors and products contracts	2,925	4,610
Assets held for sale	7,033	8,608
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	397	564
Refundable deposits	11,281	8,381
Prepaid expenses and other (note 6)	11,764	10,766
Total current assets	411,895	399,841
Property and equipment:
Land	251	251
Flight and ground support equipment	713,195	697,444
Aircraft under capital leases	193,969	196,302
Aircraft rotable spare parts	39,159	38,050
Buildings and other equipment	59,851	57,983
Property and equipment, gross	1,006,425	990,030
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-285,522	-268,049
Net property and equipment	720,903	721,981
Goodwill	127,269	127,269
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $21,078 and $19,282 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	86,796	83,654
Other assets	27,602	28,560
Total assets	1,374,465	1,361,305
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	5,710	11,442
Current installments of long-term debt	46,098	45,827
Current installments of obligations under capital leases	23,887	23,954
Accounts payable	18,688	17,393
Deferred revenue	5,920	4,409
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	632	1,313
Accrued wages and compensated absences	21,940	31,539
Due to third party payers	8,592	7,426
Deferred income taxes	23,118	21,427
Other accrued liabilities	18,643	15,537
Total current liabilities	173,228	180,267
Long-term debt, less current installments	475,627	466,839
Obligations under capital leases, less current installments	90,871	96,534
Deferred income taxes	127,065	122,715
Other liabilities	14,225	16,060
Total liabilities	881,016	882,415
Redeemable non-controlling interests	7,287	6,981
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 39,490,312 and 39,452,753 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively; outstanding 39,263,952 and 39,228,948 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	2,351	2,349
Additional paid-in capital	122,456	120,391
Retained earnings	362,366	349,805
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,011	-636
Total stockholders' equity	486,162	471,909
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,374,465	$1,361,305

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$21,078	$19,282
Stockholders' equity (note 3):
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	39,490,312	39,452,753
Common stock, shares outstanding	39,263,952	39,228,948

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts (note 4)	$291,036	$248,529
Provision for uncompensated care (note 4)	-129,220	-106,667
Patient transport revenue, net	161,816	141,862
Air medical services contract revenue	40,639	44,761
Tourism and charter revenue	28,221	24,338
Medical interiors and products revenue	4,137	7,820
Dispatch and billing service revenue	3,486	2,288
Total revenue	238,299	221,069
Operating expenses:
Flight centers	93,792	87,455
Aircraft operations (note 6)	37,340	31,526
Tourism operating expenses	19,851	16,000
Cost of medical interiors and products sold	3,201	6,679
Cost of dispatch and billing services	2,821	2,529
Depreciation and amortization	20,044	20,372
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets, net	-262	407
General and administrative	35,725	31,325
Operating expense	212,512	196,293
Operating income	25,787	24,776
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	-4,985	-5,528
Other, net	364	-26
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	21,166	19,222
Income tax expense	-8,290	-7,645
Income from continuing operations	12,876	11,577
Loss on discontinued operations, net of income taxes (note 2)	-9	-525
Net income	12,867	11,052
Less net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	239	163
Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	12,628	10,889
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-375	-65
Comprehensive income	$12,253	$10,824
Basic:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.32	$0.29
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		($0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.32	$0.28
Diluted:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.32	$0.29
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		($0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.32	$0.28
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	39,262,063	39,119,397
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	39,390,415	39,318,180

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$12,867	$11,052
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	9	525
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	20,044	20,372
Deferred income tax expense	6,039	5,971
Stock-based compensation	1,848	774
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	-12	-975
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets, net	-262	407
Loss on derivative instrument	149	53
Loss from equity method investee	224	441
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets	-4,047	-374
Increase in receivables	-475	-19,397
Decrease (increase) in inventories	2,093	-49
Decrease in costs in excess of billings	167	242
Decrease in accounts payable, other accrued liabilities, and other liabilities	-4,982	-4,107
Increase in deferred revenue and billings in excess of costs	830	1,003
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	34,492	15,938
Net cash used by discontinued operating activities	-96	-841
Net cash provided by operating activities	34,396	15,097
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of equipment and leasehold improvements	-23,493	-35,388
Buy-out of previously leased aircraft		-5,554
Proceeds from disposition and sale of equipment and assets held for sale	1,997	5,567
Decrease (increase) in other assets, net	-4,577	535
Net cash used by continuing investing activities	-26,073	-34,840
Net cash provided (used) by discontinued investing activities	25	-48
Net cash used by investing activities	-26,048	-34,888
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	207	479
Borrowings under line of credit		15,000
Payments under line of credit		-2,000
Payments for financing costs	-4	-69
Proceeds from long-term debt	21,137	19,965
Payments of long-term debt and notes payable	-12,078	-7,755
Payments of capital lease obligations	-6,008	-8,661
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	12	975
Proceeds from non-controlling interests		98
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities	3,266	18,032
Net cash provided (used) by discontinued financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,266	18,032
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	11,614	-1,759
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	13,165	9,862
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	24,779	8,103
Interest paid in cash during the period	4,832	5,355
Income taxes paid in cash during the period	$488	$51

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Entered into notes payable to finance the purchase of aircraft	$5,710	$5,696
Entered into capital leases to finance the purchase of equipment	278	548
Settlement of notes payable in exchange for the aircraft securing the debt	$11,442	$2,616

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, 2014.
		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.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	-2	Discontinued Operations
	In July 2013, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of American Jets, Inc., and all of the assets of an affiliated entity (collectively, AJI) for a purchase price of approximately $1.7 million. AJI provided long-range fixed wing medical transportation services based out of Florida. Because of operating losses generated in both 2014 and 2013, the Company made the decision during the fourth quarter of 2014 to discontinue all operations conducted by AJI, and all operations ceased in December 2014. Aircraft totaling $1.8 million used in AJI’s operations are included in assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015. Goodwill of $1.5 million associated with AJI was written off during the fourth quarter of 2014. All other assets and liabilities associated with AJI are immaterial and will be retained by the Company.
	Results of operations for all periods have been reclassified to reflect discontinued operations presentation. Except where otherwise noted, all disclosures in footnotes to the consolidated financial statements represent the results of continuing operations. The results of discontinued operations included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income were as follows (amounts in thousands):
			For quarters ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Patient transport revenue, net		$	--			2,067
	Operating expenses:
	Depreciation and amortization			--			144
	Gain on disposition of assets			(15	)		--
	Other operating expenses			29			2,783
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes			(14	)		(860	)
	Income tax benefit			5			335
	Loss from discontinued operations		$	(9	)		(525	)

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	(3)          Stockholders’ Equity
		Changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2015, consisted of the following (amounts in thousands except share amounts):
			Shares Outstanding		Amount
	Balances at January 1, 2015			39,228,948	$	471,909
	Issuance of common shares for options exercised			22,500		207
	Stock-based compensation			12,504		1,848
	Tax benefit from exercise of stock options			--		12
	Adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interests			--		(67	)
	Other comprehensive loss			--		(375	)
	Net income			--		12,628
	Balances at March 31, 2015			39,263,952	$	486,162

Patient_Transport_Revenue_Reco

Patient Transport Revenue Recognition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 2015 or 2014. The allowance for uncompensated care was 38.5% of receivables from all payers, excluding Medicare and Medicaid, as of March 31, 2015, compared to 38.9% at December 31, 2014, and 37.7% at March 31, 2014.
	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 to pay for the services provided and a provision for contractual discounts related to Medicare and Medicaid transports. Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts but before provision for uncompensated care, by major payer class, was as follows for the quarters ended March 31 (amounts in thousands):
		2015		2014
	Third-party payers	$	223,546		176,866
	Self-pay		67,490		71,663
	Total	$	291,036		248,529

Income_per_Share

Income per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings 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 for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, was decreased by $67,000 and increased by $50,000, respectively, for adjustments 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:
			2015		2014
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic			39,262,063		39,119,397
	Dilutive effect of:
	Common stock options			40,760		125,950
	Unvested restricted stock			87,592		72,833
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted			39,390,415		39,318,180
		Common stock options totaling 577,532 and 47,500 were not included in the diluted shares outstanding for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 $146,000 at March 31, 2015 and $0 at December 31, 2014. 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 non-cash mark to market derivative losses of $149,000 and $53,000 for the first quarters of 2015 and 2014, respectively. There were no cash settlements under the terms of the agreements in the first quarter of 2015 or 2014.
		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, 2015, is estimated to be $522,035,000, compared to carrying value of $521,725,000. The fair value of long-term debt as of December 31, 2014, was estimated to be $510,353,000, compared to a carrying value of $512,666,000.

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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
	2015
	External revenue		$	205,941			28,221			4,134			3			--			238,299
	Intersegment revenue			--			--			8,367			--			(8,367	)		--
	Total revenue			205,941			28,221			12,501			3			(8,367	)		238,299
	Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization			(154,024	)		(24,515	)		(10,716	)		(10,814	)		7,601			(192,468	)
	Depreciation & amortization			(16,932	)		(1,827	)		(749	)		(536	)		--			(20,044	)
	Interest expense			(3,672	)		(782	)		--			(533	)		2			(4,985	)
	Other income, net			561			1			--			(196	)		(2	)		364
	Income tax expense			--			--			--			(8,290	)		--			(8,290	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations			31,874			1,098			1,036			(20,366	)		(766	)		12,876
	Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax			(9	)		--			--			--			--			(9	)
	Segment net income (loss)			31,865			1,098			1,036			(20,366	)		(766	)		12,867
	Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests			(38	)		277			--			--			--			239
	Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries		$	31,903			821			1,036			(20,366	)		(766	)		12,628
	For quarter ended March 31:		AMS			Tourism			UR			Corporate			Intersegment			Consolidated
												Activities			Eliminations
	2014
	External revenue		$	188,911			24,338			7,820			--			--			221,069
	Intersegment revenue			--			--			3,067			--			(3,067	)		--
	Total revenue			188,911			24,338			10,887			--			(3,067	)		221,069
	Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization			(139,465	)		(20,011	)		(9,510	)		(9,511	)		2,576			(175,921	)
	Depreciation & amortization			(17,768	)		(1,564	)		(538	)		(502	)		--			(20,372	)
	Interest expense			(4,195	)		(622	)		--			(711	)		--			(5,528	)
	Other income, net			387			--			--			(413	)		--			(26	)
	Income tax expense			--			--			--			(7,645	)		--			(7,645	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations			27,870			2,141			839			(18,782	)		(491	)		11,577
	Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax			(525	)		--			--			--			--			(525	)
	Segment net income (loss)			27,345			2,141			839			(18,782	)		(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		$	27,393			1,930			839			(18,782	)		(491	)		10,889

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	-8	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs be presented as a deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. Recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs is not affected by this ASU. The ASU is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and the Company does not expect the implementation to have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The ASU is effective for the Company for periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. On April 1, 2015, the FASB voted to propose to defer the effective date for public entities to annual periods beginning after December, 15, 2017. The ASU permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of discontinued operations included in consolidated statements of comprehensive income		For quarters ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Patient transport revenue, net	$	--			2,067
	Operating expenses:
	Depreciation and amortization		--			144
	Gain on disposition of assets		(15	)		--
	Other operating expenses		29			2,783
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes		(14	)		(860	)
	Income tax benefit		5			335
	Loss from discontinued operations	$	(9	)		(525	)

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of changes in stockholders' equity		Shares Outstanding		Amount
	Balances at January 1, 2015		39,228,948	$	471,909
	Issuance of common shares for options exercised		22,500		207
	Stock-based compensation		12,504		1,848
	Tax benefit from exercise of stock options		--		12
	Adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interests		--		(67	)
	Other comprehensive loss		--		(375	)
	Net income		--		12,628
	Balances at March 31, 2015		39,263,952	$	486,162

Patient_Transport_Revenue_Reco1

Patient Transport Revenue Recognition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Patient Transport Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Schedule of patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts, before provision for uncompensated care, by major payer class		2015		2014
	Third-party payers	$	223,546		176,866
	Self-pay		67,490		71,663
	Total	$	291,036		248,529

Income_per_Share_Tables

Income per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		2015		2014
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic		39,262,063		39,119,397
	Dilutive effect of:
	Common stock options		40,760		125,950
	Unvested restricted stock		87,592		72,833
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted		39,390,415		39,318,180

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Segment Information [Abstract]
Schedule of summarized financial information for operating segments		AMS			Tourism			UR			Corporate			Intersegment			Consolidated
	For quarter ended March 31:										Activities			Eliminations
	2015
	External revenue	$	205,941			28,221			4,134			3			--			238,299
	Intersegment revenue		--			--			8,367			--			(8,367	)		--
	Total revenue		205,941			28,221			12,501			3			(8,367	)		238,299
	Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization		(154,024	)		(24,515	)		(10,716	)		(10,814	)		7,601			(192,468	)
	Depreciation & amortization		(16,932	)		(1,827	)		(749	)		(536	)		--			(20,044	)
	Interest expense		(3,672	)		(782	)		--			(533	)		2			(4,985	)
	Other income, net		561			1			--			(196	)		(2	)		364
	Income tax expense		--			--			--			(8,290	)		--			(8,290	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		31,874			1,098			1,036			(20,366	)		(766	)		12,876
	Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax		(9	)		--			--			--			--			(9	)
	Segment net income (loss)		31,865			1,098			1,036			(20,366	)		(766	)		12,867
	Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests		(38	)		277			--			--			--			239
	Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	$	31,903			821			1,036			(20,366	)		(766	)		12,628
	For quarter ended March 31:	AMS			Tourism			UR			Corporate			Intersegment			Consolidated
											Activities			Eliminations
	2014
	External revenue	$	188,911			24,338			7,820			--			--			221,069
	Intersegment revenue		--			--			3,067			--			(3,067	)		--
	Total revenue		188,911			24,338			10,887			--			(3,067	)		221,069
	Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization		(139,465	)		(20,011	)		(9,510	)		(9,511	)		2,576			(175,921	)
	Depreciation & amortization		(17,768	)		(1,564	)		(538	)		(502	)		--			(20,372	)
	Interest expense		(4,195	)		(622	)		--			(711	)		--			(5,528	)
	Other income, net		387			--			--			(413	)		--			(26	)
	Income tax expense		--			--			--			(7,645	)		--			(7,645	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		27,870			2,141			839			(18,782	)		(491	)		11,577
	Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax		(525	)		--			--			--			--			(525	)
	Segment net income (loss)		27,345			2,141			839			(18,782	)		(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	$	27,393			1,930			839			(18,782	)		(491	)		10,889

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (American Jets, Inc, USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
American Jets, Inc
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Patient transport revenue, net				$2,067,000
Operating expenses:
Depreciation and amortization				144,000
Gain on disposition of assets		-15,000
Other operating expenses		29,000		2,783,000
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes		-14,000		-860,000
Income tax benefit		5,000		335,000
Loss from discontinued operations		-9,000		-525,000
Purchase price	1,700,000
Assets held for sale		1,800,000
Goodwill written off			$1,500,000

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances at January 1, 2015	$471,909
Balances at January 1, 2015 (in shares)	39,228,948
Issuance of common shares for options exercised	207
Issuance of common shares for options exercised (in shares)	22,500
Stock-based compensation	1,848	774
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	12,504
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	12
Adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interests	-67	50
Other comprehensive loss	-375
Net income	12,628	10,889
Balances at March 31, 2015	$486,162
Balances at March 31, 2015 (in shares)	39,263,952

Patient_Transport_Revenue_Reco2

Patient Transport Revenue Recognition (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Allowance for uncompensated care as a percentage of receivables from all payers, excluding Medicare and Medicaid (in hundredths)	38.50%	37.70%	38.90%
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts	$291,036	$248,529
Third-party payers
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts	223,546	176,866
Self-pay
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts	$67,490	$71,663

Income_per_Share_Details

Income per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Increase (decrease) in net income due to adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interest	($67)	$50
Reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	39,262,063	39,119,397
Dilutive effect of:
Common stock options (in shares)	40,760	125,950
Unvested restricted stock (in shares)	87,592	72,833
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	39,390,415	39,318,180
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)	577,532	47,500

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Non-cash mark to market derivative losses	($149,000)	($53,000)
Estimate of Fair Value
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]
Long-term debt, fair value disclosure	522,035,000		510,353,000
Carrying Amount
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]
Long-term debt, fair value disclosure	521,725,000		512,666,000
Aircraft operations expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Non-cash mark to market derivative losses	149,000	53,000
Fuel derivative contracts | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of fuel derivative contracts	$146,000		$0

Business_Segment_Information_D

Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$238,299	$221,069
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	-192,468	-175,921
Depreciation and amortization	-20,044	-20,372
Interest expense	-4,985	-5,528
Other income (expense), net	364	-26
Income tax expense	-8,290	-7,645
Income (loss) from continuing operations	12,876	11,577
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-9	-525
Segment net income (loss)	12,867	11,052
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	239	163
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	12,628	10,889
External revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	238,299	221,069
Intersegment revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue
Operating Segments | AMS
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	205,941	188,911
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	-154,024	-139,465
Depreciation and amortization	-16,932	-17,768
Interest expense	-3,672	-4,195
Other income (expense), net	561	387
Income tax expense
Income (loss) from continuing operations	31,874	27,870
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-9	-525
Segment net income (loss)	31,865	27,345
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	-38	-48
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	31,903	27,393
Operating Segments | AMS | External revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	205,941	188,911
Operating Segments | AMS | Intersegment revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue
Operating Segments | Tourism
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	28,221	24,338
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	-24,515	-20,011
Depreciation and amortization	-1,827	-1,564
Interest expense	-782	-622
Other income (expense), net	1
Income tax expense
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,098	2,141
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
Segment net income (loss)	1,098	2,141
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	277	211
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	821	1,930
Operating Segments | Tourism | External revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	28,221	24,338
Operating Segments | Tourism | Intersegment revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue
Operating Segments | UR
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	12,501	10,887
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	-10,716	-9,510
Depreciation and amortization	-749	-538
Interest expense
Other income (expense), net
Income tax expense
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,036	839
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
Segment net income (loss)	1,036	839
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	1,036	839
Operating Segments | UR | External revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	4,134	7,820
Operating Segments | UR | Intersegment revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	8,367	3,067
Corporate Activities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	3
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	-10,814	-9,511
Depreciation and amortization	-536	-502
Interest expense	-533	-711
Other income (expense), net	-196	-413
Income tax expense	-8,290	-7,645
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-20,366	-18,782
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
Segment net income (loss)	-20,366	-18,782
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	-20,366	-18,782
Corporate Activities | External revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	3
Corporate Activities | Intersegment revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue
Intersegment Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	-8,367	-3,067
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization	7,601	2,576
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense	2
Other income (expense), net	-2
Income tax expense
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-766	-491
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
Segment net income (loss)	-766	-491
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	-766	-491
Intersegment Eliminations | External revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue
Intersegment Eliminations | Intersegment revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	($8,367)	($3,067)