Air Methods (AIRM) 10-K 1 Mar 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 23, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	AIR METHODS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	816,159
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,431,975
Entity Public Float			$ 1,246,759,000
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5,903	$ 5,808
Receivables:
Trade, net	380,249	360,542
Refundable income taxes	24,246	2,674
Other	3,208	3,402
Total receivables	407,703	366,618
Inventories	49,895	46,377
Work-in-process on medical interiors and products contracts	3,403	4,024
Assets held for sale	5,208	16,369
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	366	961
Refundable deposits	4,619	7,594
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,283	9,850
Total current assets	486,380	457,601
Property and equipment:
Land	251	251
Flight and ground support equipment	974,872	835,380
Aircraft under capital leases	143,000	168,725
Aircraft rotable spare parts	33,842	34,688
Buildings and office equipment	70,942	62,503
Property and equipment, gross	1,222,907	1,101,547
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(344,898)	(301,891)
Net property and equipment	878,009	799,656
Goodwill	211,348	127,732
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $41,267 and $28,093 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	189,889	129,899
Other assets	23,639	21,062
Total assets	1,789,265	1,535,950
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	15,179	2,955
Current installments of long-term debt	63,708	37,897
Current installments of obligations under capital leases	16,876	20,407
Accounts payable	30,496	30,912
Deferred revenue	1,607	2,294
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	767	1,250
Accrued wages and compensated absences	22,671	19,419
Due to third party payers	13,660	12,292
Other accrued liabilities	20,932	21,044
Total current liabilities	185,896	148,470
Long-term debt, less current installments	763,235	567,226
Obligations under capital leases, less current installments	47,709	68,389
Deferred income taxes	210,820	166,836
Other liabilities	9,063	12,293
Total liabilities	1,216,723	963,214
Commitments and contingencies (note 13)
Redeemable non-controlling interests		8,550
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value. Authorized 15,000,000 shares, none issued
Common stock, $.06 par value. Authorized 70,500,000 shares; issued 39,574,788 and 39,511,350 shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively; outstanding 36,401,495 and 39,003,026 shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	2,355	2,353
Additional paid-in capital	136,555	128,767
Treasury stock at cost, 3,053,248 and 320,988 shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	(109,954)	(13,457)
Retained earnings	544,982	447,840
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,396)	(1,317)
Total stockholders' equity	572,542	564,186
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,789,265	$ 1,535,950

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$ 41,267	$ 28,093
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
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	39,574,788	39,511,350
Common stock, shares outstanding	36,401,495	39,003,026
Treasury stock, shares	3,053,248	320,988

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts	$ 1,509,019	$ 1,263,428	$ 1,048,372
Provision for uncompensated care	(639,752)	(503,551)	(372,159)
Patient transport revenue, net	869,267	759,877	676,213
Air medical services contract revenue	135,742	153,901	176,744
Tourism and charter revenue	127,886	127,795	116,036
Medical interiors and products revenue	23,794	24,479	24,844
Transfer center, dispatch and billing service revenue	13,766	14,386	10,936
Total revenue	1,170,455	1,080,438	1,004,773
Operating expenses:
Flight centers	448,461	397,268	360,229
Aircraft operations	144,772	136,683	130,487
Tourism operating expenses	86,650	85,866	77,864
Cost of medical interiors and products sold	23,307	19,717	24,275
Cost of transfer center, dispatch and billing services	17,033	13,260	9,941
Depreciation and amortization	93,107	83,354	80,567
Loss on disposition of assets, net	2,132	3,291	455
General and administrative	164,016	146,391	137,477
Operating expenses	979,478	885,830	821,295
Operating income	190,977	194,608	183,478
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(31,990)	(21,995)	(21,750)
Other, net	1,719	2,056	1,110
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	160,706	174,669	162,838
Income tax expense	(62,831)	(68,213)	(63,460)
Income from continuing operations	97,875	106,456	99,378
Loss on discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(398)	(3,908)
Net income	97,875	106,058	95,470
Less net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	(30)	640	599
Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	97,905	105,418	94,871
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(79)	(681)	(264)
Comprehensive income	$ 97,826	$ 104,737	$ 94,607
Basic:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.58	$ 2.67	$ 2.57
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		(0.01)	(0.10)
Net income (in dollars per share)	2.58	2.66	2.47
Diluted:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	2.57	2.66	2.56
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		(0.01)	(0.10)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 2.57	$ 2.65	$ 2.46
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	37,732,644	39,272,585	39,163,080
Diluted (in shares)	37,798,690	39,420,963	39,348,291

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total	Redeemable Non-controlling Interests
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 2,343		$ 112,890	$ 246,636	$ (372)	$ 361,497
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013							$ 8,113
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	39,301,407
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common shares for options	$ 6		1,416			1,422
Issuance of common shares for options (in shares)	112,847
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options			1,951			1,951
Stock-based compensation			4,134			4,134
Forfeiture of unvested restricted shares and related dividends				8		8
Forfeiture of unvested restricted shares and related dividends (in shares)	(7,501)
Unvested restricted stock grants (in shares)	46,000
Proceeds from redeemable non-controlling interest							97
Adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interest				1,828		1,828	(1,828)
Net income				94,871		94,871
Net income (loss), Redeemable Non-controlling Interests						599	599
Other comprehensive loss					(264)	(264)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 2,349		120,391	343,343	(636)	465,447
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014							6,981
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	39,452,753
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common shares for options	$ 4		606			610
Issuance of common shares for options (in shares)	45,180
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options			312			312
Stock-based compensation			7,458			7,458
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	6,216
Forfeiture of unvested restricted shares and related dividends				8		8
Forfeiture of unvested restricted shares and related dividends (in shares)	(12,334)
Unvested restricted stock grants (in shares)	19,535
Purchase of treasury shares		$ (13,457)				(13,457)
Purchase of treasury shares (in shares)		320,988
Adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interest				(929)		(929)	929
Net income				105,418		105,418
Net income (loss), Redeemable Non-controlling Interests						640	640
Other comprehensive loss					(681)	(681)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 2,353	$ (13,457)	128,767	447,840	(1,317)	564,186
Balances at Dec. 31, 2015						8,550	8,550
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	39,511,350	320,988
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common shares for options	$ 2		801			803
Issuance of common shares for options (in shares)	45,360
Stock-based compensation			6,907			6,907
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	10,164
Forfeiture of unvested restricted shares and related dividends				28		28
Forfeiture of unvested restricted shares and related dividends (in shares)	(29,190)
Unvested restricted stock grants (in shares)	37,104
Purchase of treasury shares		$ (96,497)				(96,497)
Purchase of treasury shares (in shares)		2,732,260
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle			80	(80)
Acquisition of redeemable non-controlling interest							(9,231)
Adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interest				(711)		(711)	711
Net income				97,905		97,905
Net income (loss), Redeemable Non-controlling Interests						(30)	(30)
Other comprehensive loss					(79)	(79)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 2,355	$ (109,954)	$ 136,555	$ 544,982	$ (1,396)	572,542
Balances at Dec. 31, 2016
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	39,574,788	3,053,248

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 97,875	$ 106,058	$ 95,470
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		398	3,908
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	93,107	83,354	80,567
Deferred income tax expense	43,984	27,245	45,051
Stock-based compensation	6,907	7,458	4,134
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,249	1,004	917
Loss on disposition of assets	2,132	3,291	455
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instrument	(511)	369	70
Loss from equity method investee	419	1,082	624
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Increase in receivables	(13,569)	(70,431)	(57,275)
Decrease (increase) in inventories and work-in-process on medical interiors and products contracts	(360)	304	2,412
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,740	1,312	(329)
Decrease (increase) in costs in excess of billings	595	(397)	2,324
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, other accrued liabilities, and other liabilities	(8,310)	13,537	1,814
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and billings in excess of costs	(1,170)	(2,178)	27
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	227,088	172,406	180,169
Net cash used by discontinued operating activities		(92)	(1,672)
Net cash provided by operating activities	227,088	172,314	178,497
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of subsidiaries	(225,577)		(3,182)
Buy-out of previously leased aircraft	(17,176)	(17,747)	(28,751)
Acquisition of property and equipment	(91,946)	(148,999)	(119,753)
Acquisition of hospital programs		(64,654)
Proceeds from disposition and sale of equipment and assets held for sale	10,272	9,664	19,001
Decrease (increase) in other assets, net	(3,232)	(6,475)	399
Net cash used by continuing investing activities	(327,659)	(228,211)	(132,286)
Net cash provided by discontinued investing activities		25	97
Net cash used by investing activities	(327,659)	(228,186)	(132,189)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	803	610	1,422
Payments for purchases of common stock	(96,497)	(13,457)
Borrowings under line of credit	95,000	55,000	30,000
Payments under line of credit	(95,000)	(55,000)	(42,000)
Proceeds from long-term debt	293,454	151,701	89,911
Payments for financing costs	(81)	(4,622)	(126)
Payments of long-term debt	(72,802)	(53,671)	(81,698)
Payments of capital lease obligations	(24,211)	(32,046)	(40,612)
Proceeds from redeemable non-controlling interests			98
Net cash provided (used) by continuing financing activities	100,666	48,515	(43,005)
Net cash provided (used) by discontinued financing activities
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	100,666	48,515	(43,005)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	95	(7,357)	3,303
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	5,808	13,165	9,862
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	5,903	5,808	13,165
Interest paid in cash during the year	30,725	20,996	20,844
Income taxes paid in cash during the year	$ 41,347	$ 38,125	$ 15,386

Consolidated Statements of Cas7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Entered into notes payable to finance the purchase of aircraft	$ 15,179	$ 2,955	$ 11,442
Entered into capital leases to finance the purchase of equipment and purchase of aircraft and information systems hardware		354	735
Settled notes payable in exchange for the aircraft securing the debt	$ 2,955	$ 11,442	$ 2,616

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Financial Statement Presentation and Business Air Methods Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (Air Methods or the Company) serves as a provider of air medical emergency transport services and systems throughout the United States of America. The Company also conducts aerial tours primarily in and around the Grand Canyon and Hawaiian Islands and designs, manufactures, and installs medical aircraft interiors and other aerospace and medical transport products for domestic and international customers. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all majority-owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 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, and valuation of long-lived assets and goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company had no cash equivalent instruments as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Trade Receivables, net 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 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. Billings in excess of actual payment from contractual payers are charged off against the contractual allowance when payment is received. The allowance for contractual discounts is related primarily to Medicare, Medicaid, and other transports covered by contracts. The allowance for uncompensated care is related primarily to receivables recorded for self-pay patients. Inventories Inventories are comprised primarily of expendable aircraft parts and manufactured parts for medical aircraft interiors and are recorded at the lower of cost (average cost) or market. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. All maintenance and repairs, including scheduled aircraft component overhauls and replacements, are expensed when incurred. Major modifications and costs incurred to place aircraft in service are capitalized. Improvements to leased helicopters and airplanes are included in flight and ground support equipment in the accompanying financial statements. Leasehold improvements to hangar and office space are included in buildings and office equipment in the accompanying financial statements. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful lives of the equipment or the lease term, as follows: Description Lives Estimated Residual value Buildings, including hangars 40 years 10 % Helicopters, including medical equipment 8 – 25 years 10 - 25 % Ground support equipment and rotables 5 – 10 years 0 - 10 % Furniture and office equipment 3 – 10 years 0 % Intangible Assets The Company has recognized intangible assets related to trade names, customer lists, and other customer or contractual relationships as a result of its acquisitions. Useful lives are determined based on the estimated period of economic benefit, measured by the present value of associated cash flows, derived from each of these assets and range from five to sixteen years. Intangible assets totaling $38.0 million and $26.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, have indefinite lives. The Company capitalizes incremental direct costs related to the application for multiple Supplemental Type Certificates (STC’s). STC’s are issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and represent the FAA’s approval and certification of the airworthiness of an aircraft modification, such as a medical interior. A multiple STC allows the modification to be made to more than one aircraft without additional certification. STC costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful economic life of the STC, typically five years. Amortization expense over the next five years on all amortizable intangible assets, computed using the straight-line method, is estimated as follows (amounts in thousands): 2017 $ 15,689 2018 15,287 2019 14,398 2020 13,214 2021 12,703 Goodwill The Company accounts for goodwill under FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Derivative Instruments The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments under FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Redeemable Non-controlling Interests In accordance with FASB ASC 480-10-S99, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, Long-lived Assets The Company periodically reviews long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. No impairment related to long-lived assets has been recognized in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs. As of December 31, 2016, assets held for sale consisted primarily of nine aircraft, which the Company intends to sell within one year. Periodically the Company identifies aircraft to be sold or used for spare parts as part of its long-term plan to phase out certain older models of aircraft and replace them with newer models. Revenue Recognition Fixed fee revenue under the Company's operating agreements with hospitals and other institutions is recognized monthly over the terms of the agreements. Revenue relating to emergency and tourism flights is recognized upon completion of the services. Revenue relating to emergency flights is recorded net of provisions for contractual discounts and estimated uncompensated care. The Company has from time to time experienced delays in reimbursement from third-party payers. In addition, third-party payers may disallow, in whole or in part, claims for reimbursement based on determinations that certain amounts are not reimbursable under plan coverage, determinations of medical necessity, or the need for additional information. Laws and regulations governing the Medicare and Medicaid programs are very complex and subject to interpretation. The Company also provides services to patients who have no insurance or other third-party payer coverage. As a result, there is a reasonable possibility that recorded estimates will change materially in the short-term. Such changes, including adjustments between provisions for contractual discounts and uncompensated care, are adjusted in future periods as adjustments become known. Retroactive adjustments may change the amounts realized from third-party payers. The Company has contracts to manufacture and install medical equipment and modify aircraft for third parties. When the total cost to complete a project can be reasonably estimated, revenue is recorded as costs are incurred using the percentage of completion method of accounting. Losses on contracts in process are recognized when determined. Stock-based Compensation The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation under FASB ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future income tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company evaluates its tax positions in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10-25, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes Income Per Share Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Company and subsidiaries, plus or minus adjustments to redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interests, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Company and subsidiaries, plus or minus adjustments to redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interests, by all outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares during the period. Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements During the third quarter of 2016, the Company identified errors in the mathematical formula used to calculate its allowances for contractual discounts and uncompensated care related to patient transport receivables. The errors caused net receivables to be overstated for open accounts which had been partially collected and understated for open accounts which had been partially discounted. The Company has evaluated the impact of these errors and concluded it was not material to any previously issued financial statements. The Company has elected to revise the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015, presented in this report. As of December 31, 2015, the revisions decreased net trade receivables and total assets by $15.8 million, deferred income taxes by $6.1 million, and retained earnings by $9.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the revisions increased the provision for uncompensated care by $5.2 million and decreased income tax expense by $2.0 million and net income attributable to the Company and its subsidiaries by $3.2 million. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2015, decreased $0.08. No revisions were required to the year ended December 31, 2014. Notes to the consolidated financial statements have also been revised consistent with these adjustments, as appropriate. Accounting Standards Adopted in 2016 In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting Effective January 1, 2016, the ASU No. 2015-03, Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In January 2017, the issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment does not expect implementation to have In January 2017, the issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business does not expect implementation to have In August 2016, the issued ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments does not expect implementation to have In February 2016, the issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases In May 2014, the issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Acquisition of Subsidiaries

Acquisition of Subsidiaries	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition of Subsidiaries	(2) Acquisition of Subsidiaries Tri-State Care Flight, LLC On January 19, 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interest of Tri-State Care Flight, LLC (TSCF), for a cash purchase price of $222.5 million plus a working capital adjustment of $10.4 million. TSCF provided air medical transport services in the southwestern United States under the community-based service delivery model, utilizing a fleet of 22 helicopters and five fixed-wing aircraft. The purchase price was financed primarily through additional term loans and draws against the line of credit under the Company’s senior credit facility. The allocation of the purchase price was as follows (amounts in thousands): Initial Adjustments Revised Assets purchased: Receivables $ 30,695 (3,180 ) 27,515 Aircraft 30,501 30,501 Goodwill 80,690 2,943 83,633 Other intangible assets 74,000 74,000 Other assets 26,845 3 26,848 Total assets 242,731 (234 ) 242,497 Total liabilities assumed (9,864 ) 234 (9,630 ) Purchase price $ 232,867 — 232,867 The Company does not expect further adjustments to the purchase price allocation. Net revenue of $50,652,000 and loss of $533,000 before income taxes and allocation of corporate administrative expenses generated by TSCF’s operations since the acquisition date have been included with those of the Company in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. These operating results do not include the effect of patient transports retained at base locations where a TSCF base was consolidated into a previously existing Company base. The following unaudited pro forma information presents combined financial results for the Company and TSCF for the year ended December 31, 2015, assuming the acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2015 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts): Revenue $ 1,161,574 Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 117,600 Basic income per common share 2.97 Diluted income per common share 2.96 The above unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and does not necessarily represent what the Company’s results of operations would have been had the acquisition occurred on the date assumed, nor is the information indicative of results that may be expected in future periods. Pro forma adjustments exclude cost savings from synergies that may result from the acquisition. Blue Hawaiian Holdings, LLC In the third quarter of 2015, the Company’s partners exercised their right to require the Company to acquire their 10% ownership interest in Blue Hawaiian Holdings, LLC. The Company completed the buyout for $9,231,000 during 2016. Other During 2015 the Company completed acquisitions of two hospital programs, resulting in the addition of $14,840,000 in aircraft, $49,139,000 in intangible assets, and $675,000 in other equipment.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	(3) Discontinued Operations In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company made the decision to discontinue all long-range fixed wing medical transportation services conducted by its subsidiary, American Jets, Inc. (AJI), and all operations ceased in December 2014. 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 years ended December 31, 2015 2014 Patient transport revenue, net $ — 4,078 Operating expenses: Depreciation and amortization — 529 Loss on disposition of assets 546 791 Goodwill write-off — 1,468 Other operating expenses 101 7,634 Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (647 ) (6,344 ) Income tax benefit 249 2,436 Loss from discontinued operations $ (398 ) (3,908 )

Patient Transport Revenue Recog

Patient Transport Revenue Recognition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, including adjustments between contractual discounts and uncompensated care, 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, Medicaid, and other government-sponsored insurance plan 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 2016, 2015, and 2014. The allowance for uncompensated care was 52.1% of receivables from non-contract payers as of December 31, 2016, compared to 45.0% at December 31, 2015. The allowances for contractual discounts and uncompensated care are as follows at December 31 (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 Allowance for contractual discounts $ 333,147 276,119 Allowance for uncompensated care 297,936 236,567 Total $ 631,083 512,686 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, Medicaid, and other transports covered by contracts. 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 years ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Third-party payers $ 1,123,524 972,619 772,695 Self-pay 385,495 290,809 275,677 Total $ 1,509,019 1,263,428 1,048,372

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	(5) Fair Value of Financial Instruments ASC Topic 820, “ Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” 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. Derivatives: The Company’s cost of operations is affected by changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel, which has historically fluctuated widely in price. Fuel costs represented approximately 3.0%, 3.4%, and 4.6% of the Company’s operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. 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. With the use of purchased call options, the Company cannot be in a liability position at settlement. For 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company had fuel derivatives in place to cover the majority of its fuel consumption. 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 consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Premiums paid under all agreements are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s balance sheet, and all cash flows associated with purchasing derivatives are classified as operating cash flows in the Company’s statement of cash flows The Company does not purchase or hold any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. All fuel derivative contracts are valued using Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy and had expired as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Aircraft operations expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, included non-cash mark to market derivative gain of $511,000 and losses of $369,000 and $70,000, respectively. Cash settlements under the 2016 agreement totaled $1,190,000. There were no cash settlements under the agreements in 2015 or 2014. Long-term debt:

Long-term Debt

Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	(6) Long-term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31 (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 Term loans with quarterly installments of principal and interest, with all remaining principal due in 2020. Interest rate at December 31, 2016, was 3.13%. $ 440,250 243,750 Notes payable with interest rates from 2.31% to 4.90%, due in monthly installments of principal and interest with balloon payments due at various dates through 2027, collateralized by aircraft 372,760 342,190 Note payable with interest rate at 4.92%, due in monthly installments of principal and interest with all remaining principal due in 2018, collateralized by real estate 3,540 3,835 Notes payable with interest rates from 3.05% to 3.94%, due in monthly installments of principal and interest at various dates through 2025, collateralized by aircraft 13,452 19,161 Note payable with interest at 4.04%, due in semi-annual installments of principal and interest through 2019, collateralized by aircraft 1,346 1,760 831,348 610,696 Less current installments (63,708 ) (37,897 ) Less debt issuance costs (4,405 ) (5,573 ) $ 763,235 567,226 In January 2016, the Company borrowed $220 million in additional term loans under its senior credit facility to finance the acquisition of TSCF. As of December 31, 2016, the senior credit facility consisted of term loans totaling $440,250,000 and no balance outstanding against the revolving credit facility. Remaining available capacity on the revolving credit facility is $117 million and is reduced by four outstanding letters of credit totaling $8,040,000. Subject to certain conditions, the Company may borrow an additional $180 million in term loans under the senior credit facility. The maturity date, payment schedule, and interest rate on the additional borrowings would be the same as all other outstanding term loans under the senior credit facility. Borrowings under the credit facility are secured by substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and general intangibles. Indebtedness under the credit facility has a first priority claim to the assets pledged to secure it. Accelerating principal payments are due quarterly through June 2020. All remaining principal is due at the maturity date in August 2020 but can be prepaid at any time without penalty. Loans and advances under the senior credit facility bear interest at rates based on either prime, federal funds, or LIBOR rates. As of December 31, 2016, the interest rate on the term loan was 3.13%. Payment obligations under the credit facility accelerate upon the occurrence of defined events of default, including the following: failure to pay principal or interest or to perform covenants under the credit facility or certain other indebtedness; events of insolvency or bankruptcy; failure to timely discharge certain judgments; failure to maintain first priority status of liens under the credit facility; suspension of material governmental permits; a material adverse effect with respect to the Company; and a change of control in the Company. The credit facility contains various covenants that limit, among other things, the Company’s ability to create liens, declare future dividends, repurchase shares of the Company’s stock, make loans and investments, make any material change to the nature of its business, enter into any transaction with affiliates other than on arms' length terms, enter into a merger or consolidation, or sell assets. The Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios as defined in the credit facility and other notes. Aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows (amounts in thousands): Year ending December 31: 2017 $ 64,882 2018 71,510 2019 68,704 2020 364,366 2021 28,781 Thereafter 233,105 831,348 Less debt issuance costs (4,405 ) Net long-term debt $ 826,943

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	(7) Leases The Company leases hangar and office space and certain equipment under noncancelable operating leases and leases certain aircraft and information systems hardware under noncancelable capital and operating leases. The majority of aircraft leases contain purchase options, either at the end of the lease term or at a stipulated early buyout date. The Company measures capital lease assets and the related obligations initially at an amount equal to the present value at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term, excluding executory costs. The Company has made an accounting policy election to exclude the maximum consideration it could be required to pay the lessor in the event of default from the calculation of the present value of the minimum lease payments in measuring the capital lease asset and related obligation, since there is no likely scenario whereby an aircraft lessor would require the Company to pay the full stipulated loss value in the event of a non-performance-related default, and, therefore, this maximum consideration has a remote probability of payment. As of December 31, 2016, future minimum lease payments under noncancelable capital and operating leases are as follows (amounts in thousands): Capital Operating leases leases Year ending December 31: 2017 $ 18,745 8,595 2018 15,125 5,916 2019 11,683 4,283 2020 11,310 3,504 2021 9,387 2,820 Thereafter 3,223 27,536 Total minimum lease payments 69,473 $ 52,654 Less amounts representing interest (4,888 ) Present value of minimum capital lease payments 64,585 Less current installments (16,876 ) $ 47,709 Rent expense relating to operating leases totaled $18,661,000, $15,333,000, and $13,968,000, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The Company receives certain allowances for the completion of medical interiors for its leased aircraft. Gains associated with these completion allowances are deferred and amortized over the terms of the leases and are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, unamortized completion allowances included in other liabilities totaled $4,193,000 and $6,005,000, respectively. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, leased property held under capital leases included in equipment, net of accumulated amortization, totaled approximately $57,936,000 and $80,001,000, respectively. Amortization of leased property held under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.

Income per Share

Income per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income per Share	(8) Income per Share In accordance with FASB ASC 480-10-S99, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, The reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding is as follows for the years ended December 31: 2016 2015 2014 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic 37,732,644 39,272,585 39,163,080 Dilutive effect of: Common stock options 3,781 35,640 107,125 Unvested restricted stock 62,265 103,531 78,086 Unvested performance share units — 9,207 — Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted 37,798,690 39,420,963 39,348,291 Common stock options totaling 900,482, 563,132, and 343,730 were not included in the diluted income per share calculation for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Stock-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	(9) Stock-based Compensation In May 2015, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (2015 Plan) which provides up to 2,677,435 shares of common stock for the granting of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options (NSO’s), shares of restricted stock, other forms of equity compensation, and supplemental bonuses consisting of shares of common stock, cash or a combination thereof to employees, directors, and consultants. Upon approval of the 2015 Plan by shareholders, the Company’s 2006 Equity Compensation Plan (2006 Plan) was frozen such that no future awards may be issued under that plan and all remaining shares available for issuance were made available for issuance under the 2015 Plan. Both Plans are administered by a committee of the Company’s board of directors which has discretion to set the exercise price and term of any option granted, provided that the term may not exceed ten years. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company uses historical option exercise data for similar employee groups, as well as the vesting period and contractual term, to estimate the expected term of options granted; the expected term represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. During the year ended December 31, 2016, options to purchase 442,140 shares of stock, with a weighted average exercise price of $35.72, were granted at a weighted average fair value of $9.96. The weighted average fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, was $12.19 and $12.85, respectively. The following weighted average assumptions were used in valuing the grants for the years ended December 31: 2016 2015 2014 Expected term (in years) 3.2 3.5 3.3 Expected volatility 38 % 37 % 36 % Risk-free interest rate 1.0 % 1.0 % 1.1 % Expected dividend yield 0 % 0 % 0 % The following is a summary of option activity under all stock option plans during the year ended December 31, 2016: Shares Weighted Weighted-Average Aggregate Intrinsic Outstanding at January 1, 2016 659,292 $ 43.37 Granted 442,140 35.72 Exercised (45,360 ) 17.72 Forfeited (130,933 ) 40.65 Expired (13,857 ) 42.79 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 911,282 41.33 3.3 $ 37 Exercisable at December 31, 2016 280,495 43.77 2.4 25 The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, was $897,000, $1,327,000, and $4,456,000, respectively. Performance share units (PSU’s) entitle the grantees to receive shares of common stock for each PSU which is earned over a three-year performance period based on the Company’s total shareholder return compared to total shareholder returns for a specified peer group of companies. The Company estimates the number of PSU’s which will vest at the end of the performance periods and the associated stock compensation expense using Monte Carlo simulations. PSU grants were as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Maximum number of PSU’s 86,434 68,340 105,512 Estimated number of vested PSU’s 55,722 35,930 63,938 Total value $ 2,528,000 $ 2,132,000 $ 4,195,000 The following is a summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity during the year ended December 31, 2016: Shares Weighted Non-vested at January 1, 2016 187,335 $ 45.04 Granted 79,100 35.72 Vested (85,368 ) 44.45 Forfeited (37,413 ) 41.26 Non-vested at December 31, 2016 143,654 41.25 The total fair value of shares vested during 2016, 2015, and 2014, was $3,161,000, $2,082,000, and $2,965,000, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company recognized $6,907,000, $7,458,000, and $4,134,000, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense. No income tax benefit was recognized related to stock compensation expense recorded for incentive stock options. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based awards as of December 31, 2016, was $10,012,000 and is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average vesting term of 1 year.

Air Medical Services Contract R

Air Medical Services Contract Revenue	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Air Medical Services Contract Revenue [Abstract]
Air Medical Services Contract Revenue	(10) Air Medical Services Contract Revenue Air medical services contract revenue consists of monthly fixed fees and flight fees based upon the utilization of aircraft to provide emergency medical services to hospitals and other institutions. The fixed-fee portions of the agreements effective as of December 31, 2016, provide for the following revenue for years ending December 31 (amounts in thousands): 2017 $ 90,678 2018 58,649 2019 33,033 2020 17,045 2021 3,178 Thereafter 3,178 $ 205,761

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(11) Income Taxes Income tax expense consists of the following for the years ended December 31 (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 2014 Current income tax expense: Federal $ (16,759 ) (33,404 ) (14,432 ) State (2,088 ) (7,564 ) (3,977 ) Foreign — — — (18,847 ) (40,968 ) (18,409 ) Deferred income tax expense: Federal (37,887 ) (23,425 ) (38,735 ) State (6,097 ) (3,820 ) (6,316 ) Foreign — — — (43,984 ) (27,245 ) (45,051 ) Total income tax expense $ (62,831 ) (68,213 ) (63,460 ) The Company’s effective tax rate is affected by the apportionment of revenue and income before taxes to the various jurisdictions in which it operates and by changing tax laws and regulations in those jurisdictions. Reconciliation of income taxes on income from continuing operations before income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate of 35% for the years ended December 31 to income taxes as recorded is as follows (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 2014 Tax at the federal statutory rate $ (56,248 ) (61,128 ) (56,993 ) State income taxes, net of federal benefit, including adjustments based on filed state income tax returns (5,784 ) (6,235 ) (5,777 ) Nondeductible items (1,269 ) (886 ) (601 ) Adjustment to filed returns (25 ) (3 ) (195 ) Foreign income tax at different rate than U.S. (63 ) (162 ) (94 ) Change in valuation allowance 383 (216 ) (125 ) Conclusion of foreign operations (467 ) — — Non-taxable earnings of non-controlling interests (11 ) 224 209 Tax credits 461 342 234 Changes in estimated state tax rates 177 — — Other 15 (149 ) (118 ) Net income tax expense $ (62,831 ) (68,213 ) (63,460 ) For state income tax purposes, at December 31, 2016, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $23.4 million, expiring at various dates through 2035. In addition, as of December 31, 2016, the Company has approximately $41.5 million of net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes relating to pre-acquisition periods of certain subsidiaries. Utilization of all of subsidiaries’ pre-acquisition net operating loss carryforwards, which expire at various dates through 2028 for state income tax purposes, is subject to an annual limitation under the provisions of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. For the years ended December 31, 2015, and 2014, the Company recognized excess tax benefits related to stock option plans in the amount of $312,000 and $1,951,000, respectively. Such benefits were recorded as a reduction of income taxes payable and an increase in additional paid-in capital. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are as follows (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Net operating loss carryforwards $ 2,679 3,496 Accruals and other, principally due to differences in employee compensation and benefits 14,846 13,001 Other liabilities, principally due to differences in revenue recognition 9,508 10,524 Total deferred tax assets, gross 27,033 27,021 Valuation allowances — (383 ) Total deferred tax assets, net 27,033 26,638 Deferred tax liabilities: Equipment and leasehold improvements, principally due to differences in bases and depreciation methods (186,576 ) (151,168 ) Intangible assets, principally due to differences in bases and amortization methods (23,491 ) (29,392 ) Allowance for uncollectible accounts (19,164 ) (5,031 ) Goodwill (8,408 ) (5,661 ) Other (214 ) (2,222 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (237,853 ) (193,474 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (210,820 ) (166,836 ) The Company assesses the likelihood by jurisdiction that its net deferred tax assets will be recovered. Based on the weight of all available evidence, both positive and negative, the Company records a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a future benefit will not be realized. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the deferred tax valuation allowance was $0 and $383,000, respectively, and related to tax losses in foreign jurisdictions. At December 31, 2016, the Company had no gross unrecognized tax benefits. It is the Company’s practice to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company does not believe that it is reasonably possible that its estimates of unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly in the next twelve months. The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions and are open to federal and state tax audits until the applicable statutes of limitations expire. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2013. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS for the 2014 income tax return as well as by the State of Missouri for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 income tax years.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	(12) Employee Benefit Plans The Company has a defined contribution retirement plan whereby eligible employees may contribute up to 60% of their gross pay subject to the IRS maximum. Under the plan, the Company’s current discretionary match is equal to 70% of eligible contributions made by each participant during the year, up to the first 8% of the participant’s current gross eligible earnings. Company contributions totaled approximately $12,046,000, $11,016,000, and $9,418,000, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Commitments, Contingencies, and

Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations [Abstract]
Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations	(13) Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations Commitments In the first quarter of 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase 200 Bell 407GXP helicopters totaling $882.6 million over a ten-year term beginning in 2016. Twelve aircraft totaling $47,491,000 were delivered under this agreement in 2016, and the Company expects to take delivery of one additional aircraft in 2017. During the third quarter of 2016, in accordance with its right to termination for convenience, the Company gave notice to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., of its intent to cancel or reduce future orders and is in the process of negotiating modifications to the terms of the purchase agreement, including the total number of aircraft to be delivered under the agreement and application of related deposits of $6,332,000. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had purchase commitments totaling $21,884,000 for three other aircraft to be delivered in 2017. Typically the Company has financed aircraft acquired under similar commitments through capital lease or debt agreements. If financing arrangements cannot be arranged or the Company is prevented from taking or declines to take delivery of the aircraft under the commitments described above for any other reason, the Company may forfeit nonrefundable deposits of approximately $5,443,000. The amount of deposit to be forfeited may be mitigated if the aircraft manufacturer is able to remarket the commitment positions. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had four letters of credit totaling $8,040,000 in lieu of cash deposits on workers compensation insurance policies and other obligations. All letters of credit may be renewed annually and reduce the available borrowing capacity under the Company’s revolving credit facility. Contingencies On January 30, 2013, the Company was served with a class action lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of Alameda County, California, alleging failure to pay certain compensation and benefits to employees in that jurisdiction. The Company continues to evaluate the merits of the lawsuit and is vigorously defending against this suit. The Company has recorded a liability based on its assessment of potential outcomes. Adjustments to this liability, which may or may not be material, may be required as the case progresses. The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. Concentrations As of December 31, 2016, Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) aircraft compose 75% of the Company’s helicopter fleet while aircraft made by Bell Helicopter, Inc. (Bell) constitute 18%. The Company obtains a substantial portion of its helicopter spare parts and components from Airbus and Bell and maintains supply arrangements with other parties for engine and related dynamic components. The Company’s air medical services pilots, composing 26% of the total workforce, are represented by a collective bargaining unit. The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the Company and the pilots’ union expired in December 2016. Negotiations have begun on a new CBA but no agreement has yet been reached. Payer mix related to the Company’s patient transport revenue, based on number of transports, was as follows for the years ended December 31: 2016 2015 Private insurance carriers 26.4 % 27.4 % Government-sponsored insurance plans 3.7 % 3.8 % Medicare 35.2 % 34.4 % Medicaid 24.4 % 24.3 % Self-pay patients 10.3 % 10.1 %

Business Segment Information

Business Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Segment Information [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	(14) Business Segment Information The Company identifies operating segments based on management responsibility and the type of services or products offered. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company discontinued its long-range fixed wing operations, which were included in its Air Medical Services segment. See Note 3 for further discussion. Operating segments and their principal services or products 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. The accounting policies of the operating segments are as described in Note 1. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on pretax income. Intersegment sales are reflected at market prices. 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 and results of insignificant operations. As required by ASC 350, the Company has allocated goodwill among its segments as follows: $200,103,000 to the Air Medical Services Division, $10,749,000 to the Tourism Division, and $495,000 to the United Rotorcraft Division. The Company does not allocate total assets between operating segments for internal reporting and performance evaluation purposes. AMS Tourism UR Corporate Intersegment Consolidated 2016 External revenue $ 1,018,788 127,886 23,781 — — 1,170,455 Intersegment revenue — — 14,293 — (14,293 ) — Total revenue 1,018,788 127,886 38,074 — (14,293 ) 1,170,455 Operating expenses (706,890 ) (104,097 ) (36,335 ) (51,169 ) 12,120 (886,371 ) Depreciation & amortization (78,078 ) (9,184 ) (3,441 ) (2,404 ) — (93,107 ) Interest expense (25,538 ) (4,340 ) — (2,116 ) 4 (31,990 ) Other, net 1,945 67 — (289 ) (4 ) 1,719 Income tax expense — — — (62,831 ) — (62,831 ) Net income (loss) 210,227 10,332 (1,702 ) (118,809 ) (2,173 ) 97,875 Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (30 ) — — — — (30 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries $ 210,257 10,332 (1,702 ) (118,809 ) (2,173 ) 97,905 AMS Tourism UR Corporate Intersegment Consolidated 2015 External revenue $ 928,164 127,795 24,398 81 — 1,080,438 Intersegment revenue — — 21,976 — (21,976 ) — Total revenue 928,164 127,795 46,374 81 (21,976 ) 1,080,438 Operating expenses (630,056 ) (105,700 ) (40,275 ) (46,294 ) 19,849 (802,476 ) Depreciation & amortization (69,687 ) (7,930 ) (3,407 ) (2,330 ) — (83,354 ) Interest expense (16,575 ) (3,417 ) — (2,013 ) 10 (21,995 ) Other, net 2,871 3 — (808 ) (10 ) 2,056 Income tax expense — — — (68,213 ) — (68,213 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations 214,717 10,751 2,692 (119,577 ) (2,127 ) 106,456 Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax (398 ) — — — — (398 ) Net income (loss) 214,319 10,751 2,692 (119,577 ) (2,127 ) 106,058 Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (126 ) 766 — — — 640 Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries $ 214,445 9,985 2,692 (119,577 ) (2,127 ) 105,418 2014 External revenue $ 863,867 116,036 24,784 86 — 1,004,773 Intersegment revenue — — 11,409 — (11,409 ) — Total revenue 863,867 116,036 36,193 86 (11,409 ) 1,004,773 Operating expenses (579,196 ) (96,131 ) (35,312 ) (40,029 ) 9,940 (740,728 ) Depreciation & amortization (69,432 ) (6,740 ) (2,333 ) (2,062 ) — (80,567 ) Interest expense (16,186 ) (2,812 ) — (2,753 ) 1 (21,750 ) Other, net 1,646 5 — (540 ) (1 ) 1,110 Income tax expense — — — (63,460 ) — (63,460 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations 200,699 10,358 (1,452 ) (108,758 ) (1,469 ) 99,378 Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax (3,908 ) — — — — (3,908 ) Net income (loss) 196,791 10,358 (1,452 ) (108,758 ) (1,469 ) 95,470 Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (168 ) 767 — — — 599 Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries $ 196,959 9,591 (1,452 ) (108,758 ) (1,469 ) 94,871

Unaudited Quarterly Financial D

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	(15) Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data for 2016 and 2015 is as follows (amounts in thousands except per share data): Quarter First Second Third Fourth 2016 Revenue $ 269,398 292,572 311,012 297,473 Operating income 41,016 51,740 57,252 40,969 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 33,526 44,296 49,691 33,193 Income from continuing operations 20,424 26,981 30,614 19,856 Net income 20,424 26,981 30,614 19,856 Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 20,453 26,982 30,614 19,856 Basic income (loss) per common share: Continuing operations .50 .70 .82 .55 Discontinued operations — — — — Diluted income (loss) per common share: Continuing operations .50 .70 .82 .54 Discontinued operations — — — — 2015 Revenue $ 233,051 263,602 311,342 272,443 Operating income 20,539 48,736 82,277 43,056 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 15,918 44,745 77,118 36,888 Income from continuing operations 9,649 27,406 46,883 22,518 Net income 9,640 27,066 46,854 22,498 Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 9,401 26,823 46,652 22,542 Basic income (loss) per common share: Continuing operations .24 .69 1.17 .57 Discontinued operations — (.01 ) — — Diluted income (loss) per common share: Continuing operations .24 .69 1.16 .57 Discontinued operations — (.01 ) — — Income per common share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly income per share does not necessarily equal the total computed for the year.

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	(16) Subsequent Event In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire certain air medical program assets from a California partnership, for $14.75 million. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2017 and to be financed primarily through additional draws under the senior credit facility or through working capital.

Schedule II - Valuation and Qua

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Amounts in thousands) Description Balance at Additions (a) Deductions (b) Balance at End Allowance for contractual discounts Year ended December 31, 2016 $ 276,119 2,087,076 (2,030,048 ) 333,147 Year ended December 31, 2015 193,954 1,660,806 (1,578,641 ) 276,119 Year ended December 31, 2014 183,106 1,313,614 (1,302,766 ) 193,954 Allowance for uncompensated care Year ended December 31, 2016 $ 236,567 639,752 (578,383 ) 297,936 Year ended December 31, 2015 165,054 503,597 (432,084 ) 236,567 Year ended December 31, 2014 129,122 372,193 (336,261 ) 165,054 Notes: (a) Amounts excluded from revenue. (b) Actual write-offs and charges to allowances.

Summary of Significant Accoun25

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company had no cash equivalent instruments as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Trade Receivables, net	Trade Receivables, net 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 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. Billings in excess of actual payment from contractual payers are charged off against the contractual allowance when payment is received. The allowance for contractual discounts is related primarily to Medicare, Medicaid, and other transports covered by contracts. The allowance for uncompensated care is related primarily to receivables recorded for self-pay patients.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are comprised primarily of expendable aircraft parts and manufactured parts for medical aircraft interiors and are recorded at the lower of cost (average cost) or market.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. All maintenance and repairs, including scheduled aircraft component overhauls and replacements, are expensed when incurred. Major modifications and costs incurred to place aircraft in service are capitalized. Improvements to leased helicopters and airplanes are included in flight and ground support equipment in the accompanying financial statements. Leasehold improvements to hangar and office space are included in buildings and office equipment in the accompanying financial statements. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful lives of the equipment or the lease term, as follows: Description Lives Estimated Residual value Buildings, including hangars 40 years 10 % Helicopters, including medical equipment 8 – 25 years 10 - 25 % Ground support equipment and rotables 5 – 10 years 0 - 10 % Furniture and office equipment 3 – 10 years 0 %
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets The Company has recognized intangible assets related to trade names, customer lists, and other customer or contractual relationships as a result of its acquisitions. Useful lives are determined based on the estimated period of economic benefit, measured by the present value of associated cash flows, derived from each of these assets and range from five to sixteen years. Intangible assets totaling $38.0 million and $26.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, have indefinite lives. The Company capitalizes incremental direct costs related to the application for multiple Supplemental Type Certificates (STC’s). STC’s are issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and represent the FAA’s approval and certification of the airworthiness of an aircraft modification, such as a medical interior. A multiple STC allows the modification to be made to more than one aircraft without additional certification. STC costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful economic life of the STC, typically five years. Amortization expense over the next five years on all amortizable intangible assets, computed using the straight-line method, is estimated as follows (amounts in thousands): 2017 $ 15,689 2018 15,287 2019 14,398 2020 13,214 2021 12,703
Goodwill	Goodwill The Company accounts for goodwill under FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other
Derivative Instruments	Derivative Instruments The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments under FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging.
Redeemable Non-controlling Interests	Redeemable Non-controlling Interests In accordance with FASB ASC 480-10-S99, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,
Long-lived Assets	Long-lived Assets The Company periodically reviews long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. No impairment related to long-lived assets has been recognized in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs. As of December 31, 2016, assets held for sale consisted primarily of nine aircraft, which the Company intends to sell within one year. Periodically the Company identifies aircraft to be sold or used for spare parts as part of its long-term plan to phase out certain older models of aircraft and replace them with newer models.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Fixed fee revenue under the Company's operating agreements with hospitals and other institutions is recognized monthly over the terms of the agreements. Revenue relating to emergency and tourism flights is recognized upon completion of the services. Revenue relating to emergency flights is recorded net of provisions for contractual discounts and estimated uncompensated care. The Company has from time to time experienced delays in reimbursement from third-party payers. In addition, third-party payers may disallow, in whole or in part, claims for reimbursement based on determinations that certain amounts are not reimbursable under plan coverage, determinations of medical necessity, or the need for additional information. Laws and regulations governing the Medicare and Medicaid programs are very complex and subject to interpretation. The Company also provides services to patients who have no insurance or other third-party payer coverage. As a result, there is a reasonable possibility that recorded estimates will change materially in the short-term. Such changes, including adjustments between provisions for contractual discounts and uncompensated care, are adjusted in future periods as adjustments become known. Retroactive adjustments may change the amounts realized from third-party payers. The Company has contracts to manufacture and install medical equipment and modify aircraft for third parties. When the total cost to complete a project can be reasonably estimated, revenue is recorded as costs are incurred using the percentage of completion method of accounting. Losses on contracts in process are recognized when determined.
Stock-based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation under FASB ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future income tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company evaluates its tax positions in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10-25, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
Income Per Share	Income Per Share Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Company and subsidiaries, plus or minus adjustments to redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interests, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Company and subsidiaries, plus or minus adjustments to redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interests, by all outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares during the period.
Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements	Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements During the third quarter of 2016, the Company identified errors in the mathematical formula used to calculate its allowances for contractual discounts and uncompensated care related to patient transport receivables. The errors caused net receivables to be overstated for open accounts which had been partially collected and understated for open accounts which had been partially discounted. The Company has evaluated the impact of these errors and concluded it was not material to any previously issued financial statements. The Company has elected to revise the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015, presented in this report. As of December 31, 2015, the revisions decreased net trade receivables and total assets by $15.8 million, deferred income taxes by $6.1 million, and retained earnings by $9.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the revisions increased the provision for uncompensated care by $5.2 million and decreased income tax expense by $2.0 million and net income attributable to the Company and its subsidiaries by $3.2 million. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2015, decreased $0.08. No revisions were required to the year ended December 31, 2014. Notes to the consolidated financial statements have also been revised consistent with these adjustments, as appropriate.
Accounting Standards Adopted in 2016	Accounting Standards Adopted in 2016 In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting Effective January 1, 2016, the ASU No. 2015-03, Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In January 2017, the issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment does not expect implementation to have In January 2017, the issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business does not expect implementation to have In August 2016, the issued ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments does not expect implementation to have In February 2016, the issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases In May 2014, the issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Summary of Significant Accoun26

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of estimated useful lives and salvage values of equipment	Description Lives Estimated Residual value Buildings, including hangars 40 years 10 % Helicopters, including medical equipment 8 – 25 years 10 - 25 % Ground support equipment and rotables 5 – 10 years 0 - 10 % Furniture and office equipment 3 – 10 years 0 %
Schedule of amortization expense on intangible assets	2017 $ 15,689 2018 15,287 2019 14,398 2020 13,214 2021 12,703

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (Ta

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (Tables) - Tri-State Care Flight, LLC	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of purchase price allocation	Initial Adjustments Revised Assets purchased: Receivables $ 30,695 (3,180 ) 27,515 Aircraft 30,501 30,501 Goodwill 80,690 2,943 83,633 Other intangible assets 74,000 74,000 Other assets 26,845 3 26,848 Total assets 242,731 (234 ) 242,497 Total liabilities assumed (9,864 ) 234 (9,630 ) Purchase price $ 232,867 — 232,867
Schedule for pro forma information	Revenue $ 1,161,574 Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 117,600 Basic income per common share 2.97 Diluted income per common share 2.96

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of discontinued operations included in consolidated statements of comprehensive income	For years ended December 31, 2015 2014 Patient transport revenue, net $ — 4,078 Operating expenses: Depreciation and amortization — 529 Loss on disposition of assets 546 791 Goodwill write-off — 1,468 Other operating expenses 101 7,634 Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (647 ) (6,344 ) Income tax benefit 249 2,436 Loss from discontinued operations $ (398 ) (3,908 )

Patient Transport Revenue Rec29

Patient Transport Revenue Recognition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Patient Transport Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Schedule of allowances for contractual discounts and uncompensated care	2016 2015 Allowance for contractual discounts $ 333,147 276,119 Allowance for uncompensated care 297,936 236,567 Total $ 631,083 512,686
Schedule of flight revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts but before the provision for uncompensated care, by major payer class	For years ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Third-party payers $ 1,123,524 972,619 772,695 Self-pay 385,495 290,809 275,677 Total $ 1,509,019 1,263,428 1,048,372

Long-term Debt (Tables)

Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Schedule of long-term debt	2016 2015 Term loans with quarterly installments of principal and interest, with all remaining principal due in 2020. Interest rate at December 31, 2016, was 3.13%. $ 440,250 243,750 Notes payable with interest rates from 2.31% to 4.90%, due in monthly installments of principal and interest with balloon payments due at various dates through 2027, collateralized by aircraft 372,760 342,190 Note payable with interest rate at 4.92%, due in monthly installments of principal and interest with all remaining principal due in 2018, collateralized by real estate 3,540 3,835 Notes payable with interest rates from 3.05% to 3.94%, due in monthly installments of principal and interest at various dates through 2025, collateralized by aircraft 13,452 19,161 Note payable with interest at 4.04%, due in semi-annual installments of principal and interest through 2019, collateralized by aircraft 1,346 1,760 831,348 610,696 Less current installments (63,708 ) (37,897 ) Less debt issuance costs (4,405 ) (5,573 ) $ 763,235 567,226
Schedule of aggregate maturities of long-term debt	Year ending December 31: 2017 $ 64,882 2018 71,510 2019 68,704 2020 364,366 2021 28,781 Thereafter 233,105 831,348 Less debt issuance costs (4,405 ) Net long-term debt $ 826,943

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of future minimum lease payments under capital and operating leases	Capital Operating leases leases Year ending December 31: 2017 $ 18,745 8,595 2018 15,125 5,916 2019 11,683 4,283 2020 11,310 3,504 2021 9,387 2,820 Thereafter 3,223 27,536 Total minimum lease payments 69,473 $ 52,654 Less amounts representing interest (4,888 ) Present value of minimum capital lease payments 64,585 Less current installments (16,876 ) $ 47,709

Income per Share (Tables)

Income per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	2016 2015 2014 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic 37,732,644 39,272,585 39,163,080 Dilutive effect of: Common stock options 3,781 35,640 107,125 Unvested restricted stock 62,265 103,531 78,086 Unvested performance share units — 9,207 — Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted 37,798,690 39,420,963 39,348,291

Stock-based Compensation (Table

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of weighted average assumptions	2016 2015 2014 Expected term (in years) 3.2 3.5 3.3 Expected volatility 38 % 37 % 36 % Risk-free interest rate 1.0 % 1.0 % 1.1 % Expected dividend yield 0 % 0 % 0 %
Schedule of summary of option activity	Shares Weighted Weighted-Average Aggregate Intrinsic Outstanding at January 1, 2016 659,292 $ 43.37 Granted 442,140 35.72 Exercised (45,360 ) 17.72 Forfeited (130,933 ) 40.65 Expired (13,857 ) 42.79 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 911,282 41.33 3.3 $ 37 Exercisable at December 31, 2016 280,495 43.77 2.4 25
Schedule of summary of restricted stock activity	Shares Weighted Non-vested at January 1, 2016 187,335 $ 45.04 Granted 79,100 35.72 Vested (85,368 ) 44.45 Forfeited (37,413 ) 41.26 Non-vested at December 31, 2016 143,654 41.25
Performance Shares Unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of performance share units (PSU's)	2016 2015 2014 Maximum number of PSU’s 86,434 68,340 105,512 Estimated number of vested PSU’s 55,722 35,930 63,938 Total value $ 2,528,000 $ 2,132,000 $ 4,195,000

Air Medical Services Contract34

Air Medical Services Contract Revenue (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Air Medical Services Contract Revenue [Abstract]
Schedule of future revenue from fixed-fee portion of operating agreements	2017 $ 90,678 2018 58,649 2019 33,033 2020 17,045 2021 3,178 Thereafter 3,178 $ 205,761

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Schedule of income tax expense	2016 2015 2014 Current income tax expense: Federal $ (16,759 ) (33,404 ) (14,432 ) State (2,088 ) (7,564 ) (3,977 ) Foreign — — — (18,847 ) (40,968 ) (18,409 ) Deferred income tax expense: Federal (37,887 ) (23,425 ) (38,735 ) State (6,097 ) (3,820 ) (6,316 ) Foreign — — — (43,984 ) (27,245 ) (45,051 ) Total income tax expense $ (62,831 ) (68,213 ) (63,460 )
Schedule of reconciliation of income taxes	2016 2015 2014 Tax at the federal statutory rate $ (56,248 ) (61,128 ) (56,993 ) State income taxes, net of federal benefit, including adjustments based on filed state income tax returns (5,784 ) (6,235 ) (5,777 ) Nondeductible items (1,269 ) (886 ) (601 ) Adjustment to filed returns (25 ) (3 ) (195 ) Foreign income tax at different rate than U.S. (63 ) (162 ) (94 ) Change in valuation allowance 383 (216 ) (125 ) Conclusion of foreign operations (467 ) — — Non-taxable earnings of non-controlling interests (11 ) 224 209 Tax credits 461 342 234 Changes in estimated state tax rates 177 — — Other 15 (149 ) (118 ) Net income tax expense $ (62,831 ) (68,213 ) (63,460 )
Schedule of deferred tax assets and liabilities	2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Net operating loss carryforwards $ 2,679 3,496 Accruals and other, principally due to differences in employee compensation and benefits 14,846 13,001 Other liabilities, principally due to differences in revenue recognition 9,508 10,524 Total deferred tax assets, gross 27,033 27,021 Valuation allowances — (383 ) Total deferred tax assets, net 27,033 26,638 Deferred tax liabilities: Equipment and leasehold improvements, principally due to differences in bases and depreciation methods (186,576 ) (151,168 ) Intangible assets, principally due to differences in bases and amortization methods (23,491 ) (29,392 ) Allowance for uncollectible accounts (19,164 ) (5,031 ) Goodwill (8,408 ) (5,661 ) Other (214 ) (2,222 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (237,853 ) (193,474 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (210,820 ) (166,836 )

Commitments, Contingencies, a36

Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations [Abstract]
Schedule of payer mix for patient transport revenue	2016 2015 Private insurance carriers 26.4 % 27.4 % Government-sponsored insurance plans 3.7 % 3.8 % Medicare 35.2 % 34.4 % Medicaid 24.4 % 24.3 % Self-pay patients 10.3 % 10.1 %

Business Segment Information (T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Segment Information [Abstract]
Schedule of summarized financial information for the Company's operating segments	AMS Tourism UR Corporate Intersegment Consolidated 2016 External revenue $ 1,018,788 127,886 23,781 — — 1,170,455 Intersegment revenue — — 14,293 — (14,293 ) — Total revenue 1,018,788 127,886 38,074 — (14,293 ) 1,170,455 Operating expenses (706,890 ) (104,097 ) (36,335 ) (51,169 ) 12,120 (886,371 ) Depreciation & amortization (78,078 ) (9,184 ) (3,441 ) (2,404 ) — (93,107 ) Interest expense (25,538 ) (4,340 ) — (2,116 ) 4 (31,990 ) Other, net 1,945 67 — (289 ) (4 ) 1,719 Income tax expense — — — (62,831 ) — (62,831 ) Net income (loss) 210,227 10,332 (1,702 ) (118,809 ) (2,173 ) 97,875 Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (30 ) — — — — (30 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries $ 210,257 10,332 (1,702 ) (118,809 ) (2,173 ) 97,905 AMS Tourism UR Corporate Intersegment Consolidated 2015 External revenue $ 928,164 127,795 24,398 81 — 1,080,438 Intersegment revenue — — 21,976 — (21,976 ) — Total revenue 928,164 127,795 46,374 81 (21,976 ) 1,080,438 Operating expenses (630,056 ) (105,700 ) (40,275 ) (46,294 ) 19,849 (802,476 ) Depreciation & amortization (69,687 ) (7,930 ) (3,407 ) (2,330 ) — (83,354 ) Interest expense (16,575 ) (3,417 ) — (2,013 ) 10 (21,995 ) Other, net 2,871 3 — (808 ) (10 ) 2,056 Income tax expense — — — (68,213 ) — (68,213 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations 214,717 10,751 2,692 (119,577 ) (2,127 ) 106,456 Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax (398 ) — — — — (398 ) Net income (loss) 214,319 10,751 2,692 (119,577 ) (2,127 ) 106,058 Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (126 ) 766 — — — 640 Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries $ 214,445 9,985 2,692 (119,577 ) (2,127 ) 105,418 2014 External revenue $ 863,867 116,036 24,784 86 — 1,004,773 Intersegment revenue — — 11,409 — (11,409 ) — Total revenue 863,867 116,036 36,193 86 (11,409 ) 1,004,773 Operating expenses (579,196 ) (96,131 ) (35,312 ) (40,029 ) 9,940 (740,728 ) Depreciation & amortization (69,432 ) (6,740 ) (2,333 ) (2,062 ) — (80,567 ) Interest expense (16,186 ) (2,812 ) — (2,753 ) 1 (21,750 ) Other, net 1,646 5 — (540 ) (1 ) 1,110 Income tax expense — — — (63,460 ) — (63,460 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations 200,699 10,358 (1,452 ) (108,758 ) (1,469 ) 99,378 Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax (3,908 ) — — — — (3,908 ) Net income (loss) 196,791 10,358 (1,452 ) (108,758 ) (1,469 ) 95,470 Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (168 ) 767 — — — 599 Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries $ 196,959 9,591 (1,452 ) (108,758 ) (1,469 ) 94,871

Unaudited Quarterly Financial38

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Schedule of summarized unaudited quarterly financial data	Quarter First Second Third Fourth 2016 Revenue $ 269,398 292,572 311,012 297,473 Operating income 41,016 51,740 57,252 40,969 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 33,526 44,296 49,691 33,193 Income from continuing operations 20,424 26,981 30,614 19,856 Net income 20,424 26,981 30,614 19,856 Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 20,453 26,982 30,614 19,856 Basic income (loss) per common share: Continuing operations .50 .70 .82 .55 Discontinued operations — — — — Diluted income (loss) per common share: Continuing operations .50 .70 .82 .54 Discontinued operations — — — — 2015 Revenue $ 233,051 263,602 311,342 272,443 Operating income 20,539 48,736 82,277 43,056 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 15,918 44,745 77,118 36,888 Income from continuing operations 9,649 27,406 46,883 22,518 Net income 9,640 27,066 46,854 22,498 Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 9,401 26,823 46,652 22,542 Basic income (loss) per common share: Continuing operations .24 .69 1.17 .57 Discontinued operations — (.01 ) — — Diluted income (loss) per common share: Continuing operations .24 .69 1.16 .57 Discontinued operations — (.01 ) — —

Summary of Significant Accoun39

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Tangible assets, depreciation method		straight-line method
Future amortization expense for customer lists and other customer relationships [Abstract]
2,017		$ 15,689,000
2,018		15,287,000
2,019		14,398,000
2,020		13,214,000
2,021		$ 12,703,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Method		straight-line method
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		$ 38,000,000	$ 26,300,000
Decreased net trade receivables and total assets			15,800,000
Decreased deferred income taxes			6,100,000
Retained earnings			9,700,000
Increased provision for uncompensated care			5,200,000
Decreased income tax expense			2,000,000
Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries			$ 3,200,000
Basic and diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)			$ 0.08
Cumulative-effect reduction of in retained earnings	$ 80,000
Excess tax benefit reclassified from financing activities to operating activities			$ 312,000	$ 1,951,000
Debt issuance costs reclassified to current installments of long term debt			1,194,000
Debt issuance costs reclassified to long term debt			$ 4,379,000
Minimum
Future amortization expense for customer lists and other customer relationships [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		5 years
Maximum
Future amortization expense for customer lists and other customer relationships [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		16 years
Supplemental Type Certificates (STC's)
Future amortization expense for customer lists and other customer relationships [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		5 years
Buildings, including hangars
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		40 years
Estimated residual value (in hundredths)		10.00%
Helicopters, including medical equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		8 years
Estimated residual value (in hundredths)		10.00%
Helicopters, including medical equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		25 years
Estimated residual value (in hundredths)		25.00%
Ground support equipment and rotables | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		5 years
Estimated residual value (in hundredths)		0.00%
Ground support equipment and rotables | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		10 years
Estimated residual value (in hundredths)		10.00%
Furniture and office equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated residual value (in hundredths)		0.00%
Furniture and office equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		3 years
Furniture and office equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		10 years

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (De

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (Details)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 19, 2016USD ($)Helicopterfixed_wing_aircraft	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015
Blue Hawaiian Holdings, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership interest acquired (in hundredths)			10.00%
Cash purchase price		$ 9,231,000
Tri-State Care Flight, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership interest acquired (in hundredths)	100.00%
Cash purchase price	$ 222,500,000
Estimated working capital adjustment	$ 10,400,000
Number of helicopters use for community based service delivery model | Helicopter	22
Number of fixed wing aircraft use for community based service delivery model | fixed_wing_aircraft	5
Revenue included in consolidated statements of income	$ 50,652,000
Loss before income taxes, interest expense on acquisition financing and allocation of corporate office expenses	$ 533,000

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (41

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 211,348		$ 127,732
Acquisitions of hospital programs
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Aircraft			14,840
Intangible assets			49,139
Other equipment			$ 675
Tri-State Care Flight, LLC
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Receivables	27,515
Aircraft	30,501
Goodwill	83,633
Intangible assets	74,000
Other assets	26,848
Total assets	242,497
Total liabilities assumed	(9,630)
Purchase price	232,867
Tri-State Care Flight, LLC | Initial Allocation
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Receivables		$ 30,695
Aircraft		30,501
Goodwill		80,690
Intangible assets		74,000
Other assets		26,845
Total assets		242,731
Total liabilities assumed		(9,864)
Purchase price		$ 232,867
Tri-State Care Flight, LLC | Adjustments
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Receivables	(3,180)
Goodwill	2,943
Other assets	3
Total assets	(234)
Total liabilities assumed	234
Purchase price

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (42

Acquisition of Subsidiaries (Details 2) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / shares
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Revenue | $	$ 1,161,574
Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries | $	$ 117,600
Basic income per common share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.97
Diluted income per common share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.96

Discontinued Operations (Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) - American Jets, Inc - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Patient transport revenue, net		$ 4,078
Operating expenses:
Depreciation and amortization		529
Loss on disposition of assets	$ 546	791
Goodwill write-off		1,468
Other operating expenses	101	7,634
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	(647)	(6,344)
Income tax benefit	249	2,436
Loss from discontinued operations	$ (398)	(3,908)
Goodwill		$ 1,468

Patient Transport Revenue Rec44

Patient Transport Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Allowance for uncompensated care as a percentage of receivables from non-governmental payers (in hundredths)	52.10%	45.00%
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts	$ 1,509,019	$ 1,263,428	$ 1,048,372
Allowances for contractual discounts and uncompensated care [Abstract]
Allowance for contractual discounts	333,147	276,119
Allowance for uncompensated care	297,936	236,567
Total	631,083	512,686
Third-Party Payers
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts	1,123,524	972,619	772,695
Self-pay
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Patient transport revenue, net of provision for contractual discounts	$ 385,495	$ 290,809	$ 275,677

Fair Value of Financial Instr45

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Percentage of fuel cost of operating expenses (in hundredths)	3.00%	3.40%	4.60%
Cash settlements under 2016 agreement	$ 1,190,000
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Non-cash mark to market derivative gain (losses)	511,000	$ (369,000)	$ (70,000)
Estimate of Fair Value
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]
Long-term debt, fair value disclosure	823,447,000	612,264,000
Carrying (Reported) Amount
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]
Long-term debt, fair value disclosure	826,943,000	605,123,000
Aircraft operations expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Non-cash mark to market derivative gain (losses)	$ 511,000	$ (369,000)	$ (70,000)

Long-term Debt (Details)

Long-term Debt (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)FinancialInstrument	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 831,348,000	$ 610,696,000
Less current installments	(63,708,000)	(37,897,000)
Less debt issuance costs	(4,405,000)	(5,573,000)
Long-term debt, less current installments	763,235,000	567,226,000
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt [Abstract]
2,017	64,882,000
2,018	71,510,000
2,019	68,704,000
2,020	364,366,000
2,021	28,781,000
Thereafter	233,105,000
Long-term debt	831,348,000	610,696,000
Less debt issuance costs	(4,405,000)	(5,573,000)
Net long-term debt	826,943,000
Term loan (3.13%) due in 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 440,250,000	243,750,000
Interest rate (in hundredths)	3.13%
Additional term loans borrowed	$ 220,000,000
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt	440,250,000	243,750,000
Notes payable (2.31% to 4.90%) due at various dates through 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	372,760,000	342,190,000
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt	$ 372,760,000	342,190,000
Notes payable (2.31% to 4.90%) due at various dates through 2027 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.31%
Notes payable (2.31% to 4.90%) due at various dates through 2027 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.90%
Notes payable (4.92%) due in 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 3,540,000	3,835,000
Interest rate (in hundredths)	4.92%
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt	$ 3,540,000	3,835,000
Note payable (3.05% to 3.94%) due through 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	13,452,000	19,161,000
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt	$ 13,452,000	19,161,000
Note payable (3.05% to 3.94%) due through 2025 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.05%
Note payable (3.05% to 3.94%) due through 2025 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.94%
Note payable (4.04%) due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 1,346,000	19,161,000
Interest rate (in hundredths)	4.04%
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt	$ 1,346,000	$ 19,161,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum additional draws on term loans	180,000,000
Available borrowing capacity	$ 117,000,000
Number of letters of credit reducing available borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility | FinancialInstrument	4
Agreement amount of letters of credit reducing available borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility	$ 8,040,000

Leases (Details)

Leases (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Future minimum lease payments under capital leases [Abstract]
2,017	$ 18,745,000
2,018	15,125,000
2,019	11,683,000
2,020	11,310,000
2,021	9,387,000
Thereafter	3,223,000
Total minimum lease payments	69,473,000
Less amounts representing interest	(4,888,000)
Present value of minimum capital lease payments	64,585,000
Less current installments	(16,876,000)	$ (20,407,000)
Obligations under capital leases, less current installments	47,709,000	68,389,000
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases [Abstract]
2,017	8,595,000
2,018	5,916,000
2,019	4,283,000
2,020	3,504,000
2,021	2,820,000
Thereafter	27,536,000
Total minimum lease payments	52,654,000
Rent expense relating to operating leases [Abstract]
Rent expense relating to operating leases	18,661,000	15,333,000	$ 13,968,000
Unamortized completion allowances	4,193,000	6,005,000
Property held under capital leases [Abstract]
Property held under capital leases, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 57,936,000	$ 80,001,000

Income per Share (Details)

Income per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Increase (decrease) in net income due to adjustments to redeemable non-controlling interest	$ (711)	$ (929)	$ 1,828
Reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	37,732,644	39,272,585	39,163,080
Dilutive effect of:
Common stock options (in shares)	3,781	35,640	107,125
Unvested restricted stock (in shares)	62,265	103,531	78,086
Unvested performance share units (in shares)		9,207
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	37,798,690	39,420,963	39,348,291
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)	900,482	563,132	343,730

Stock-based Compensation (Detai

Stock-based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May 30, 2015
Stock-based compensation costs [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 6,907,000	$ 7,458,000	$ 4,134,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost		$ 10,012,000
Period over which unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized (in years)		1 year
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock available under the plan (in shares)					2,677,435
Maximum term of award granted (in years)	10 years
Weighted average fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)		$ 9.96	$ 12.19	$ 12.85
Aggregate intrinsic value [Abstract]
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the period		$ 897,000	$ 1,327,000	$ 4,456,000
2015 Equity Incentive Plan | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of restricted stock, (in years)		5 years
2015 Equity Incentive Plan | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of restricted stock, (in years)		1 year
Stock Options
Weighted average assumptions [Abstract]
Expected term (in years)		3 years 2 months 12 days	3 years 6 months	3 years 3 months 18 days
Expected volatility (in hundredths)		38.00%	37.00%	36.00%
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths)		1.00%	1.00%	1.10%
Expected dividend yield (in hundredths)		0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Summary of option activity [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)		659,292
Granted (in shares)		442,140
Exercised (in shares)		(45,360)
Forfeited (in shares)		(130,933)
Expired (in shares)		(13,857)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)		911,282	659,292
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)		280,495
Weighted average exercise price [Abstract]
Weighted average exercise price of options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)		$ 43.37
Weighted average exercise price of options granted (in dollars per share)		35.72
Weighted average exercise price of options exercised (in dollars per share)		17.72
Weighted average exercise price of options forfeited (in dollars per share)		40.65
Weighted average exercise price of options Expired (in dollars per share)		42.79
Weighted average exercise price of options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)		41.33	$ 43.37
Weighted average exercise price of options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)		$ 43.77
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Abstract
Weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at end of period (in years)		3 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual life of options exercisable at end of period (in years)		2 years 4 months 24 days
Aggregate intrinsic value [Abstract]
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at end of period		$ 37,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable at end of period		$ 25,000
Restricted Stock
Summary of restricted stock activity [Roll Forward]
Nonvested at beginning of period (in shares)		187,335
Granted (in shares)		79,100
Vested (in shares)		(85,368)
Forfeited (in shares)		(37,413)
Nonvested at end of period (in shares)		143,654	187,335
Weighted average grant-date fair value [Abstract]
Weighted average grant-date fair value of nonvested shares at beginning of period (in dollars per share)		$ 45.04
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares granted (in dollars per share)		35.72
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares vested (in dollars per share)		44.45
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares forfeited (in dollars per share)		41.26
Weighted average grant-date fair value of nonvested shares at end of period (in dollars per share)		$ 41.25	$ 45.04
Total fair value of shares vested during the period		$ 3,161,000	$ 2,082,000	$ 2,965,000
Performance Shares Unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of performance share units that may vest under specified award		86,434	68,340	105,512
Performance share unit measurement method		Monte Carlo simulation	Monte Carlo simulation	Monte Carlo simulation
Estimate number of performance share units		55,722	35,930	63,938
Value of performance share units		$ 2,528,000	$ 2,132,000	$ 4,195,000

Air Medical Services Contract50

Air Medical Services Contract Revenue (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Future revenue from fixed-fee portion of operating agreements [Abstract]
2,017	$ 90,678
2,018	58,649
2,019	33,033
2,020	17,045
2,021	3,178
Thereafter	3,178
Total	$ 205,761

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current income tax expense:
Federal	$ (16,759)	$ (33,404)	$ (14,432)
State	(2,088)	(7,564)	(3,977)
Foreign
Total current	(18,847)	(40,968)	(18,409)
Deferred income tax expense:
Federal	(37,887)	(23,425)	(38,735)
State	(6,097)	(3,820)	(6,316)
Foreign
Total deferred	(43,984)	(27,245)	(45,051)
Total income tax expense	$ (62,831)	$ (68,213)	$ (63,460)
Reconciliation of income taxes [Abstract]
Federal statutory income tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Tax at the federal statutory rate	$ (56,248)	$ (61,128)	$ (56,993)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit, including adjustments based on filed state income tax returns	(5,784)	(6,235)	(5,777)
Nondeductible items	(1,269)	(886)	(601)
Adjustment to filed returns	(25)	(3)	(195)
Foreign income tax at different rate than U.S.	(63)	(162)	(94)
Change in valuation allowance	383	(216)	(125)
Conclusion of foreign operations	(467)
Non-taxable earnings of non-controlling interests	(11)	224	209
Tax credits	461	342	234
Changes in estimated state tax rates	177
Other	15	(149)	(118)
Net income tax expense	(62,831)	(68,213)	(63,460)
Excess tax benefits related to stock option plans [Abstract]
Excess tax benefits related to stock option plans		312	$ 1,951
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	2,679	3,496
Accruals and other, principally due to differences in employee compensation and benefits	14,846	13,001
Other liabilities, principally due to differences in revenue recognition	9,508	10,524
Total deferred tax assets, gross	27,033	27,021
Valuation allowances		(383)
Total deferred tax assets, net	27,033	26,638
Deferred tax liabilities:
Equipment and leasehold improvements, principally due to differences in bases and depreciation methods	(186,576)	(151,168)
Intangible assets, principally due to differences in bases and amortization methods	(23,491)	(29,392)
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	(19,164)	(5,031)
Goodwill	(8,408)	(5,661)
Other	(214)	(2,222)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(237,853)	(193,474)
Net deferred tax liability	(210,820)	$ (166,836)
State
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	23,400
Net operating loss carryforwards relating to pre-acquisition periods	$ 41,500

Employee Benefit Plans (Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Employee contribution rate subject to IRS, Maximum (in hundredths)	60.00%
Employer discretionary match based on employee contributions (in hundredths)	70.00%
Employer discretionary match based on gross pay (in hundredths)	8.00%
Employer contributions	$ 12,046,000	$ 11,016,000	$ 9,418,000

Commitments, Contingencies, a53

Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)Helicopters	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)AircraftFinancial_Instrument	Dec. 31, 2015
Revolving Credit Facility
Letters of Credit [Line Items]
Number of letters of credit reducing available borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility | Financial_Instrument		4
Agreement amount of letters of credit reducing available borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility		$ 8,040,000
Number of Helicopters | Supplier Concentration Risk, Helicopter Fleet | Airbus Helicopters
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage (in hundredths)		75.00%
Number of Helicopters | Supplier Concentration Risk, Helicopter Fleet | Bell Helicopter, Inc.
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage (in hundredths)		18.00%
Number of Employees | Labor Force Concentration Risk | Pilots Under Collective Bargaining Agreement
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage (in hundredths)		26.00%
Number of Transports | Customer Concentration Risk, Transports | Self-pay
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage (in hundredths)		10.30%	10.10%
Number of Transports | Customer Concentration Risk, Transports | Private insurance carriers
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage (in hundredths)		26.40%	27.40%
Number of Transports | Customer Concentration Risk, Transports | Government-sponsored insurance plans
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage (in hundredths)		3.70%	3.80%
Number of Transports | Customer Concentration Risk, Transports | Medicare
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage (in hundredths)		35.20%	34.40%
Number of Transports | Customer Concentration Risk, Transports | Medicaid
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage (in hundredths)		24.40%	24.30%
Bell 407 GXP Helicopters
Open purchase commitments [Abstract]
Total number of aircraft to be purchased under purchase commitment | Helicopters	200
Number of aircraft delivered under the purchase agreement | Aircraft		12
Helicopter delivery period (in years)	10 years
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered under purchase commitment next year | Aircraft		1
Purchase commitments amount	$ 882,600,000
Amount paid in 2016 under the $882.6 million purchase commitment		$ 47,491,000
Deposits related to purchase agreement		$ 6,332,000
Other Aircraft
Open purchase commitments [Abstract]
Total number of aircraft to be purchased under purchase commitment | Aircraft		3
Purchase commitments amount		$ 21,884,000
Nonrefundable deposits		$ 5,443,000

Business Segment Information (D

Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 297,473,000	$ 311,012,000	$ 292,572,000	$ 269,398,000	$ 272,443,000	$ 311,342,000	$ 263,602,000	$ 233,051,000	$ 1,170,455,000	$ 1,080,438,000	$ 1,004,773,000
Operating expenses									(886,371)	(802,476,000)	(740,728,000)
Depreciation and amortization									(93,107,000)	(83,354,000)	(80,567,000)
Interest expense									(31,990,000)	(21,995,000)	(21,750,000)
Other, net									1,719,000	2,056,000	1,110,000
Income tax expense									(62,831,000)	(68,213,000)	(63,460,000)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	19,856,000	30,614,000	26,981,000	20,424,000	22,518,000	46,883,000	27,406,000	9,649,000	97,875,000	106,456,000	99,378,000
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax										(398,000)	(3,908,000)
Net income (loss)	19,856,000	30,614,000	26,981,000	20,424,000	22,498,000	46,854,000	27,066,000	9,640,000	97,875,000	106,058,000	95,470,000
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests									(30,000)	640,000	599,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	19,856,000	$ 30,614,000	$ 26,982,000	$ 20,453,000	22,542,000	$ 46,652,000	$ 26,823,000	$ 9,401,000	97,905,000	105,418,000	94,871,000
Goodwill	211,348,000				$ 127,732,000				211,348,000	127,732,000
External Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,170,455,000	1,080,438,000	1,004,773,000
Intersegment Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue
Operating Segments | AMS
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,018,788,000	928,164,000	863,867,000
Operating expenses									(706,890,000)	(630,056,000)	(579,196,000)
Depreciation and amortization									(78,078,000)	(69,687,000)	(69,432,000)
Interest expense									(25,538,000)	(16,575,000)	(16,186,000)
Other, net									1,945,000	2,871,000	1,646,000
Income tax expense
Income (loss) from continuing operations										214,717,000	200,699,000
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax										(398,000)	(3,908,000)
Net income (loss)									210,227,000	214,319,000	196,791,000
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests									(30,000)	(126,000)	(168,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries									210,257,000	214,445,000	196,959,000
Goodwill	200,103,000								200,103,000
Operating Segments | AMS | External Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,018,788,000	928,164,000	863,867,000
Operating Segments | AMS | Intersegment Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue
Operating Segments | Tourism
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									127,886,000	127,795,000	116,036,000
Operating expenses									(104,097,000)	(105,700,000)	(96,131,000)
Depreciation and amortization									(9,184,000)	(7,930,000)	(6,740,000)
Interest expense									(4,340,000)	(3,417,000)	(2,812,000)
Other, net									67,000	3,000	5,000
Income tax expense
Income (loss) from continuing operations										10,751,000	10,358,000
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income (loss)									10,332,000	10,751,000	10,358,000
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests										766,000	767,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries									10,332,000	9,985,000	9,591,000
Goodwill	10,749,000								10,749,000
Operating Segments | Tourism | External Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									127,886,000	127,795,000	116,036,000
Operating Segments | Tourism | Intersegment Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue
Operating Segments | UR
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									38,074,000	46,374,000	36,193,000
Operating expenses									(36,335,000)	(40,275,000)	(35,312,000)
Depreciation and amortization									(3,441,000)	(3,407,000)	(2,333,000)
Interest expense
Other, net
Income tax expense
Income (loss) from continuing operations										2,692,000	(1,452,000)
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income (loss)									(1,702,000)	2,692,000	(1,452,000)
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries									(1,702,000)	2,692,000	(1,452,000)
Goodwill	$ 495,000								495,000
Operating Segments | UR | External Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									23,781,000	24,398,000	24,784,000
Operating Segments | UR | Intersegment Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									14,293,000	21,976,000	11,409,000
Corporate Activities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue										81,000	86,000
Operating expenses									(51,169,000)	(46,294,000)	(40,029,000)
Depreciation and amortization									(2,404,000)	(2,330,000)	(2,062,000)
Interest expense									(2,116,000)	(2,013,000)	(2,753,000)
Other, net									(289,000)	(808,000)	(540,000)
Income tax expense									(62,831,000)	68,213,000	63,460,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations										(119,577,000)	(108,758,000)
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income (loss)									(118,809,000)	(119,577,000)	(108,758,000)
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries									(118,809,000)	(119,577,000)	(108,758,000)
Corporate Activities | External Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue										81,000	86,000
Corporate Activities | Intersegment Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue
Intersegment Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									(14,293,000)	(21,976,000)	(11,409,000)
Operating expenses									12,120,000	19,849,000	9,940,000
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense									4,000	10,000	1,000
Other, net									(4,000)	(10,000)	(1,000)
Income tax expense
Income (loss) from continuing operations										(2,127,000)	(1,469,000)
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income (loss)									(2,173,000)	(2,127,000)	(1,469,000)
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries									(2,173,000)	(2,127,000)	(1,469,000)
Intersegment Eliminations | External Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue
Intersegment Eliminations | Intersegment Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									$ (14,293,000)	$ (21,976,000)	$ (11,409,000)

Unaudited Quarterly Financial55

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 297,473	$ 311,012	$ 292,572	$ 269,398	$ 272,443	$ 311,342	$ 263,602	$ 233,051	$ 1,170,455	$ 1,080,438	$ 1,004,773
Operating income	40,969	57,252	51,740	41,016	43,056	82,277	48,736	20,539	190,977	194,608	183,478
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	33,193	49,691	44,296	33,526	36,888	77,118	44,745	15,918	160,706	174,669	162,838
Income from continuing operations	19,856	30,614	26,981	20,424	22,518	46,883	27,406	9,649	97,875	106,456	99,378
Net income	19,856	30,614	26,981	20,424	22,498	46,854	27,066	9,640	97,875	106,058	95,470
Net income attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries	$ 19,856	$ 30,614	$ 26,982	$ 20,453	$ 22,542	$ 46,652	$ 26,823	$ 9,401	$ 97,905	$ 105,418	$ 94,871
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.55	$ 0.82	$ 0.7	$ 0.5	$ 0.57	$ 1.17	$ 0.69	$ 0.24	$ 2.58	$ 2.67	$ 2.57
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)							(0.01)			(0.01)	(0.10)
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.54	0.82	0.7	0.5	0.57	1.16	0.69	0.24	2.57	2.66	2.56
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)							$ (0.01)			$ (0.01)	$ (0.10)

Subsequent Event (Detail textua

Subsequent Event (Detail textuals) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 23, 2017USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Payment to acquire certain air medical program assets	$ 14,750

Schedule II Valuation and Quali

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for contractual discounts
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period		$ 276,119	$ 193,954	$ 183,106
Additions	[1]	2,087,076	1,660,806	1,313,614
Deductions	[2]	(2,030,048)	(1,578,641)	(1,302,766)
Balance at End of Period		333,147	276,119	193,954
Allowance for uncompensated care
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period		236,567	165,054	129,122
Additions	[1]	639,752	503,597	372,193
Deductions	[2]	(578,383)	(432,084)	(336,261)
Balance at End of Period		$ 297,936	$ 236,567	$ 165,054
[1]	Amounts excluded from revenue.
[2]	Actual write-offs and charges to allowances.