Air-ambulance representative presents MASA membership options to county

A sales representative for MASA, an air-ambulance provider, presented membership options and benefits to Freestone County Commissioners, describing coverage, pricing tiers and training services offered to county personnel.

Katie Ryan, MASA membership sales manager for the area, told commissioners the annual membership cost would be $70–$75 per employee household depending on employee count, with multi-year purchase discounts (three-year, five-year and 10-year options). She said emergency flights are covered 100 percent for members with no preauthorization, and nonemergent add-ons (Fly You Home and AMI) are limited to two per year per household unless members purchase additional coverage. Ryan also said household coverage includes foster children and residents living under the same roof.

The presenter said MASA provides training such as Stop the Bleed and landing-zone classes delivered by a local paramedic/nurse, and that Med Trans units in the region (identified as PHI) provide backup service. Ryan said membership guarantees no out-of-pocket costs for members on flights provided by MASA, subject to the membership terms and coordination with insurance coverage.

Why it matters: County purchasing of a membership could reduce out-of-pocket air-transport costs for employees and residents covered under county-paid memberships; training offerings could be used for first responders and community safety programs.

Next steps: Commissioners did not vote on membership during the meeting. The presenter suggested the county consider a multi-year purchase and complete a census to assign membership slots to employees; commissioners requested pricing information and headcount to calculate budget impact.