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Gonzales County tables decision on MASA premium increase until budget season
Summary
Human resources informed the commissioners that Medical Air Services Association plans to raise its per‑employee premium from $8.25 to a minimum of $14; the court voted to table a final decision until budget review in late summer.
Gonzales County Commissioners Court on April was briefed by human resources on a proposed increase in the Medical Air Services Association (MASA) premium and voted to table the matter until the county’s budget discussions.
HR staff told the court MASA has discontinued the county’s current plan and is offering new premium tiers. Under the current rate the county pays about $8.25 per covered employee; HR estimated the county’s current monthly cost at roughly $1,328.25 for 61 covered employees. The lowest new MASA tier quoted to the county was $14 per employee, which HR estimated would raise the county’s monthly outlay to about $2,254, an increase of about $925.75 per month.
HR said MASA coverage supplements insurance by covering air (and in some programs ground) transport costs not paid by the employee’s health insurance; some local providers have alternative air‑transport agreements that do not charge residents when PHI Air Transport is used. HR said MASA’s renewal is typically issued in August with a September renewal deadline and that staff would return to the court during budget season with final numbers and a recommendation.
After discussion, the court voted to table action and directed staff to include the MASA renewal in upcoming budget deliberations so commissioners can consider alternatives and the fiscal impact before making a final decision.
