What PHI Air Medical Does—and How PHI Cares Membership Protects You When Minutes Matter

When an emergency strikes, every second counts; the last thing anyone should worry about is the cost of care. Air medical transport can be the critical link between a life-threatening condition and life-saving treatment. PHI Air Medical—one of the nation’s leading air ambulance providers—makes that link possible with highly trained crews, rigorously maintained aircraft, and a commitment to safety and clinical excellence. The PHI Cares Membership Program adds essential financial protection, removing the worry of unexpected costs.

This blog walks you through the complete scope of PHI Air Medical’s services, how membership extends coverage, and how PHI Cares shields you from financial surprises if you ever need emergency air transport.

PHI Air Medical: Bridging the Gap in Emergency Care

PHI Air Medical is more than a healthcare provider—it’s an aviation-based critical care service. Here’s what they do:

• Emergency Scene Response: When seconds matter, PHI aircraft are dispatched by EMS teams or first responders to rapidly transport patients from accident scenes or rural areas.
• Interfacility Transfers: When a patient’s needs exceed a hospital’s capabilities, PHI transports them to facilities that can provide higher-acuity care—especially where ground transport is too slow or less equipped.
• Specialty Critical Care Transport: Their teams are equipped for the most complex patients, able to manage advanced therapies including ventilators, ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), intra-aortic balloon pumps, and blood transfusions—even while in flight.

PHI operates more than 80 bases across the U.S., and its parent company, PHI, Inc., brings over 75 years of experience supporting medical, oil and gas, and international aviation sectors.

The Team: Medical Expertise, Elite Pilots, and Meticulous Maintenance

Medical Crew:

Each flight is staffed by a critical care nurse and a paramedic—not general EMTs, but experienced specialists in emergency, trauma, and intensive care medicine. Their backgrounds mean they’re trained in:

• Advanced airway management
• Ventilator operation and troubleshooting
• Neonatal & pediatric transport
• Emergency pharmacology & sedation
• Managing stroke, sepsis, and cardiac emergencies

PHI was also the nation’s first air medical provider to offer ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) during transport, demonstrating their clinical leadership.

Physician Oversight:

In addition to the onboard team, every mission is backed by a board-certified Medical Director—a physician specializing in emergency medicine, available 24/7 to provide protocols, real-time case review, and expert input during complex flights.

Pilots:

PHI’s pilots are required to have at least 2,000 flight hours before qualifying. They undergo regular simulator training, proficiency checks, and scenario drills. Their safety equipment includes night vision goggles and cutting-edge navigation aids. Pre-shift, all pilots are checked for alertness with psychomotor vigilance testing.

Maintenance:

A team of FAA-certified mechanics—many with military and emergency aviation backgrounds—work tirelessly behind the scenes. They conduct daily pre-flight/post-flight inspections, perform all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and ensure every helicopter and plane exceeds regulatory safety and performance standards.

Community Engagement, Disaster Response, & Safety Recognitions

Community Education:

PHI provides free training and educational sessions for local EMS, from helicopter landing zone safety to advanced trauma care. They’re present at community health fairs, injury-prevention workshops, and outreach events.

Disaster Response:

During wildfires, tornadoes, or mass casualty incidents, PHI rapidly deploys additional resources and expertly supports evacuation and triage—stepping in when ground units are overwhelmed.

Safety Awards and Culture:

PHI Air Medical is celebrated for its industry-leading safety record and a robust, safety-first culture. The organization has received the prestigious Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award two times and is known for pioneering safety practices that set industry standards. Every mission is underpinned by rigorous pre-flight checklists, post-mission debriefs, and a culture that encourages reporting and learning for continuous improvement.

Advances in Technology and Communication

PHI sets itself apart with powerful technology and digital tools:

• Family Trax: Let family members securely track a patient’s flight in real time, offering peace of mind until the patient arrives at the hospital.
• FlyPHI App: Allows hospitals and EMS agencies to request transports quickly and track progress.
• ForeFlight: Pilots use this advanced electronic flight bag software to access real-time navigation charts, monitor weather conditions, manage flight routes, and quickly reference essential flight documents—supporting safer, more informed decision-making during every mission.
• Real-Time Pilot Alertness Testing: Helps ensure every pilot is ready for safe operation, 24/7.

Seamless Collaboration: How PHI Works With Communities

PHI doesn’t just show up for emergencies; it actively partners with hospitals, fire departments, EMS agencies, and emergency management officials to establish protocols and reduce response times. When a transport is needed, EMS or hospital staff activate PHI Air Medical, ensuring appropriate use. PHI’s dispatch coordinators manage every detail—landing zones, communications, and continuous updates—ensuring care starts the moment the call comes in.

PHI Cares Membership: Financial Protection in a Crisis

The clinical care is first-rate, but the financial aftermath of an air medical flight can be a huge concern for families. The PHI Cares Membership Program exists to erase that worry:

• If you, your household, or up to three non-family members need medically necessary PHI Air Medical transport, the membership pays for anything your insurance doesn’t. Insurance is billed, and PHI Cares accepts that as full payment.
• Coverage extends to dependents away at college—great for families with students out of state.
• No additional paperwork for you—PHI’s advocates deal directly with your insurer.

Membership Details: Who and What is Covered

• Household Coverage: Your PHI Cares membership protects your entire household—all dependents living at the same legal address, plus up to three non-family members who reside with you. It’s designed to be simple, and everyone under your roof (and even dependents away at college) is covered under a single annual fee.
• Availability and Terms: Memberships are available on an annual basis, and multi-year in most states. PHI Cares also offers tailored coverage options for organizations, companies, municipalities, and community groups looking to protect employees or residents.
• What’s Covered: PHI Cares provides coverage for medically necessary emergency transports performed by PHI Air Medical (or a PHI cooperative partner). Transport are ordered by recognized EMS or hospital professionals based on medical necessity—not by patients or families themselves.

Why PHI Air Medical and PHI Cares Work Together

The combination of PHI Air Medical’s clinical expertise and the financial protection of PHI Cares membership gives families something rare in a medical crisis: true peace of mind. PHI Air Medical invests in the best people, training, equipment, and safety protocols to deliver advanced care when it’s needed most. PHI Cares membership eliminates the financial uncertainty that can follow an emergency, so families can focus on what matters—recovery.

Together, PHI Air Medical and PHI Cares address both the clinical and financial sides of an emergency, offering a solution that puts patients and their families first, every time.

Be Ready for the Unexpected

Emergencies can happen without warning. With PHI Air Medical’s expert care and the financial protection offered by a PHI Cares Membership, you and your family can be confident, receiving advanced medical transport when every second counts and avoiding unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. To learn more or enroll, visit the official PHI Cares website or contact their team. Being prepared means having the right experts by your side, whenever you need them.