Critical Care Services Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF LIFE LINK III IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE AIR MEDICAL TRANSPORT. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY SETTING, HOLDING, AND ENHANCING THE STANDARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT CARE, TRANSPORTATION, AND INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP.
- Income
- $62.5 million
- Spending
- $62.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 5.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 100%
- Employees
- 353
- Volunteers
- 22
- Highest pay
- $392,092, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $50.0 million spent. ROTOR WING SERVICESPROVIDES AIR TRANSPORTATION OF PATIENTS REQUIRING CRITICAL CARE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE IN HELICOPTERS CONFIGURED FOR MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE 3,493 TRANSPORTS IN 2024. LIFE LINK III PROVIDES HELICOPTER AIR MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING ON-SCENE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND INTER-FACILITY TRANSPORT 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS PER YEAR. WITH HELICOPTER BASES THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN, LIFE LINK III TRANSPORTS ALL TYPES OF CRITICALLY ILL OR INJURED PATIENTS.
- $3.7 million spent. FIXED WING SERVICESPROVIDES AIR TRANSPORTATION OF PATIENTS REQUIRING CRITICAL CARE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE IN FIXED WING AIRCRAFT CONFIGURED FOR MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE 199 TRANSPORTS IN 2024. LIFE LINK III PROVIDES AIRPLANE AMBULANCE TRANSPORTATION THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS PER YEAR. LIFE LINK III HAS A DEDICATED, MEDICALLY-CONFIGURED AIRPLANE READY AT ALL TIMES AND HAS ACCESS TO A FLEET OF OTHER AIRCRAFT FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO TRANSPORT ALL TYPES OF CRITICALLY ILL OR INJURED PATIENTS.
- COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND SAFETYLIFE LINK III'S AIRPLANE AND HELICOPTER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ARE ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF MEDICAL TRANSPORT SYSTEMS (CAMTS), WHICH REFLECTS THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO MEETING OR EXCEEDING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PATIENT CARE, QUALITY AND SAFETY. LIFE LINK III IS ONE OF ONLY 60 MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY THAT ARE CAMTS ACCREDITED FOR THE TWO MODES OF CRITICAL CARE AIR MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION: ROTOR WING AND FIXED WING. LIFE LINK III SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE REACCREDITATION PROCESS IN MARCH 2022 THAT EXTENDED ACCREDITATION THROUGH MARCH 2025.LIFE LINK III PROVIDES OUTREACH EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO PRE-HOSPITAL AND HOSPITAL-BASED HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS COVERING SUCH TOPICS AS HELICOPTER LANDING ZONE SET UP, SCENE SAFETY, PATIENT TRANSPORT PREPARATION AND OTHER PATIENT CARE TOPICS. LIFE LINK III ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES WITH THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES, INCLUDING PUBLIC, INFORMATIONAL, SCHOOL, INJURY PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. IN 2024 THE ORGANIZATION DONATED CLINICIAN, PILOT, AND AIRCRAFT TIME FOR 408 SEPARATE COMMUNITY AND HEALTHCARE-RELATED EVENTS AND TRAININGS WITH MORE THAN 36,000 ESTIMATED ATTENDEES. LIFE LINK III WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT PROGRAM TO ACHIEVE THE AACN BEACON AWARD OF EXCELLENCE GOLD LEVEL. THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE IN CRITICAL CARE NURSING.IN ADDITION TO THE COMMUNITY AND HEALTHCARE-RELATED EDUCATION AND SAFETY EVENTS, LIFE LINK III CONTINUES TO SEEK NEW CHANNELS FOR DELIVERING EDUCATION TO EMERGENCY SERVICE, FIRST RESPONDER, AND HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL FROM MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, AND SURROUNDING STATES. LIFE LINK III PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY CONTINUING EDUCATION WITH EXCEPTIONAL SPEAKERS AND SPECIAL GUESTS THROUGH BOTH ITS CLINICAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND LINKED EVENTS, A REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERIES THAT BRINGS EDUCATION TO THE REGION WITH THE GOAL OF ENHANCING SKILLS AND DEMONSTRATING TRANSPORT BEST PRACTICES FOR PROVIDERS OF ALL LEVELS, FROM RESCUE AND PRE-HOSPITAL SITUATIONS TO TRANSPORT AND IN-HOSPITAL TREATMENT.
- FINANCIAL ASSISTANCELIFE LINK III MAINTAINS A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CALLED COMMUNITY CARE. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNINSURED OR UNABLE TO AFFORD THE COST OF SERVICES. WE MAINTAIN RECORDS TO IDENTIFY AND MONITOR THE LEVEL OF COMMUNITY CARE UNDER THIS PROGRAM. APPLICANTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM ARE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE CURRENT YEAR INCOME INFORMATION. WE USE INCOME-BASED CRITERIA IN OUR DETERMINATION OF COMMUNITY CARE AND USE 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY. IN 2024 THE COST OF PROVIDING CARE TO PATIENTS UNDER THIS PROGRAM WAS $2,134,137. LIFE LINK III PARTICIPATES IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND IS COMMITTED TO SERVING ALL PERSONS IN NEED REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED, SEX, NATIONALITY, RELIGION, DISABILITY, AGE OR ABILITY TO PAY. TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO ALL INDIVIDUALS, LIFE LINK III PARTICIPATES IN THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS: MEDICARE, MEDICAID (PRIMARILY MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN), MINNESOTACARE, BADGERCARE, AND OTHER GENERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. PAYMENTS FROM THESE PROGRAMS FREQUENTLY DO NOT COVER THE COSTS LIFE LINK III INCURS TO SERVE PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES. IN 2024 THE COST OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDED BY LIFE LINK III WAS $7,394,578 IN EXCESS OF THE REIMBURSEMENT RECEIVED FROM PUBLIC PROGRAMS.
- PATIENT RECEIVABLES AND CREDIT POLICYPATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE UNCOLLATERALIZED PATIENT OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE STATED AT THE AMOUNT MANAGEMENT EXPECTS TO COLLECT FROM OUTSTANDING BALANCES. THESE OBLIGATIONS ARE PRIMARILY FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS, MOST OF WHOM ARE INSURED UNDER THIRD-PARTY PAYORS ON THE PATIENTS' BEHALF. OR, IF THE PATIENT IS UNINSURED, THE PATIENT RECEIVES AN AUTOMATIC DISCOUNT EQUAL TO THE DISCOUNT GIVEN THE ORGANIZATIONS LARGEST THIRD PARTY PAYER, THEN THAT PATIENT IS BILLED DIRECTLY. ONCE CLAIMS ARE SETTLED WITH THE PRIMARY PAYER, ANY SECONDARY INSURANCE IS BILLED AND PATIENTS ARE BILLED FOR COPAY AND DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNTS THAT ARE PATIENTS' RESPONSIBILITY. PAYMENTS ON PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE APPLIED TO THE SPECIFIC CLAIM IDENTIFIED ON THE REMITTANCE ADVICE OR STATEMENT. LIFE LINK III DOES NOT HAVE A POLICY TO CHARGE INTEREST ON PAST DUE ACCOUNTS. PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE REDUCED BY AN ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS. IN EVALUATING THE COLLECTABILITY OF PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, THE ORGANIZATION ANALYZES ITS COLLECTION HISTORY AND IDENTIFIES TRENDS FOR EACH OF ITS MAJOR PAYOR SOURCES OF REVENUE TO ESTIMATE THE APPROPRIATE ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS AND PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS. MANAGEMENT REGULARLY REVIEWS DATA ABOUT THESE MAJOR PAYOR SOURCES OF REVENUE IN EVALUATING THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS. FOR RECEIVABLES ASSOCIATED WITH SERVICES PROVIDED TO PATIENTS WHO HAVE THIRD-PARTY COVERAGE, THE ORGANIZATION ANALYZES CONTRACTUALLY DUE AMOUNTS AND PROVIDES AN ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS, A PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS AND COMMUNITY CARE. FOR RECEIVABLES ASSOCIATED WITH SELF-PAY PATIENTS (WHICH INCLUDES BOTH PATIENTS WITHOUT INSURANCE AND PATIENTS WITH DEDUCTIBLE AND COPAYMENT BALANCES DUE FOR WHICH THIRD-PARTY COVERAGE EXISTS FOR PART OF THE BILL), THE ORGANIZATION RECORDS A SIGNIFICANT PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS IN THE PERIOD OF SERVICE ON THE BASIS OF ITS PAST EXPERIENCE, WHICH INDICATES THAT MANY PATIENTS ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PAY THE PORTION OF THEIR BILL FOR WHICH THEY ARE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE STANDARD RATES (OR DISCOUNTED RATES IF NEGOTIATED) AND THE AMOUNTS ACTUALLY COLLECTED AFTER ALL REASONABLE COLLECTION EFFORTS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED IS CHARGED OFF AGAINST THE ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS. IN 2024 THESE BAD DEBTS ALONG WITH COMMUNITY CARE WRITE-OFFS TOTALED $9,937,004.PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE RECORDED IN THE ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEET NET OF CONTRACTUAL ADJUSTMENTS AND AN ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS.IT IS UNKNOWN HOW MUCH BAD DEBT EXPENSE, IF ANY, REASONABLY COULD BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO PERSONS WHO LIKELY WOULD QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER OUR COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
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