• Initiative implemented by County Manager, Kate Fletcher, and County Commissioners to cover vital air medical transport for Cibola residents
• Medically Necessary air transports of PHI Cares members results in no out-of-pocket expenses for in county or adjacent county pick-ups when flown by PHI Air Medical Cibola, NM, January 2025 – The County Commissioners of Cibola County and County Kate Fletcher, have approved their air medical agreement with PHI Cares, a division of PHI Air Medical, a leading U.S. helicopterbased medical transport provider. Local residents requiring authorized emergency air medical transport from Cibola or its adjacent county, (the Cibola County Service Area), will benefit from no out-of-pocket expenses when utilizing PHI Air Medical thanks to the agreement. The municipal agreement is effective from January 1st , 2025 – December 31st, 2025.
Importantly, the agreement includes residents not on Medicaid who aren’t covered by existing medical insurance or have no third party responsible for their medical transport. In all other cases, PHI Air Medical works with the resident’s insurance provider to resolve claims for medically necessary transports to ensure members face no out-of-pocket expenses, so they can focus on what matters most, their recovery.
As an additional benefit of this agreement, residents qualify for Coast-to-Coast coverage at a subsidized $30/year per household. This optional expanded plan provides coverage for residents to be flown by PHI Air Medical when they travel out of county, giving them peace of mind whenever and wherever they travel. Household coverage also extends to resident’s household dependents – the entire household remains covered, even when picked up outside the coverage area. To enroll in Coast-to-Coast coverage or register your household for Cibola County contact Sonya Palacios, PHI Senior Membership Manager at 505-595-4095.
In emergencies, residents should contact 911.
The local agreement, spearheaded by Sonya Palacios said: “The people of Cibola are a main priority, and the agreement between Cibola County and PHI Cares protects residents by offering vital, life-saving services in times of emergency. By signing this agreement, Cibola residents and their household have peace of mind that they are protected in a serious emergency. We urge all residents to pick up their membership cards and seriously think about protecting their household and themselves when travelling out of county.”