ESD1, PHI Cares renew air medical transport agreement

The Gonzales County Emergency Services District #1 has approved the renewal of their emergency air medical transportation agreement with PHI Cares. The agreement provides air medical transport benefits for all residents of Gonzales County when transported by a PHI Air Medical aircraft. 

“We would like to thank the Gonzales Hospital District for their generous financial support and contribution, allowing us to provide this important, life-saving benefit for Gonzales County residents,” said Eddie Callender, ESD1 executive director. 

The PHI Cares membership program supports al households and residents of Gonzales County. With the launch of this agreement, Gonzales County residents are not required to pay additional out-of-pocket expense for their emergency air medical transportation when a PHI Air Medical aircraft in the region transports them from Gonzales County or surrounding counties (including Lavaca, Fayette, Bastrop, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Wilson, Karnes, and DeWitt counties). 

Residents should always call 911 first when they have a medical emergency. The 911 dispatchers will dispatch an ESD ambulance. The attending paramedics or first responders will determine if an air ambulance is needed. 

If a resident is transported by a PHI Air Medical Aircraft, they should notify the PHI Cares membership department at 1.888.I.Fly.PHI (1.888.435.9744) and provide them with the Gonzales County PHI Cares membership number #32322 and their date of transport. 

Residents can obtain PHI Cares membership cards from the following locations after July 15, 2023: 

Waelder City Hall 

300 Highway 90 West, Waelder, TX 78959 

Gonzales City Hall 

820 St. Joseph Street, Gonzales, TX 78629 

Gonzales County Courthouse 

Office of County Judge Pat Davis

414 St. Joseph Street, Gonzales, TX 78629 

Nixon City Hall 

302 E. Central Avenue, Nixon, TX 78140 

Smiley City Hall 

207 US Hwy 87 W, Smiley, TX 78159 

Gonzales County ESD 1

Administrative Office 

1724 Hickson, Gonzales, TX 78629

The PHI Cares membership program is available at more than 60 PHI Air Medical bases across the country. Gonzales County residents can upgrade their Gonzales County limited membership benefit coverage to nationwide coverage for only $30 per year.

To upgrade your household membership, please go to www.PHICares.com and fill out an online application using the special discount code: GONZALESUPGRADE.

Gonzales County residents may also email the PHI Cares Membership Department at membership@PHIAirMedical.com or call 1.888.435.9744 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT, to request an upgrade form. Please reference the “Gonzales County” Membership program when calling or writing them. 

Residents can visit the PHI company website at www.PHIAirMedical.com to learn more about the company and www.PHICares.com to learn more about their membership program.