By Marlee Jackson

Months after being medevacked from Monroeville to Birmingham for emergency abdominal surgery, Bo Bishop was healed, healthy and back at work serving Alfa Insurance® policyholders. Then, he was hit with an unexpected expense.

“I got a bill for over $70,000,” said Bishop, now 64. “I saw on the record that my insurance provider had paid $12,000. The (air ambulance) company wanted the full amount paid.”

Bishop was floored.

“I had no clue,” he said. “I had good insurance. I thought that would be covered.”

It’s a cautionary tale, one Bishop said he could have avoided by enrolling in a service like MASA Medical Transport Solutions.

He said it’s a blessing Alabama Farmers Federation members can access discounted monthly rates — and peace of mind — through MASA. The service, established in 1974, covers 100% of ground and air ambulance providers in the U.S.

Members who enroll in MASA simply call 9-1-1 in an emergency. They forward the ambulance bill to MASA, which ensures the charges are accurate and the medical insurance company has paid its portion. Importantly, MASA covers the remaining balance.

Enrolling in MASA is money well spent, said Federation Member Benefits Director Paul Brown.

“We are pleased to offer this special rate to our members,” Brown said. “The high-quality service provided by MASA relieves a huge financial burden during already-stressful times. Enrolling is easy and affordable and will pay dividends, especially to those who live in rural areas far from surgery centers.”

While Bishop’s attorney eventually helped dismiss the bill, Bishop said he knows others who have accepted the burden of bulk payments or even payment plans.

“I felt like I was done wrong, like my family was done wrong,” he said. “If I’d had a program like MASA, I’d have never had that hassle.”

Bishop retired from Alfa in 2022 and lives in Fairhope with Candy, his wife of 38 years. Disregarding the invoice debacle, he said he’s grateful for the quality of care he received in the air ambulance and at the hospital.

That life-saving medical treatment allows the retiree to spend precious time with his three children and two grandchildren. 

 There’s one less worry on his plate, too, now that he’s enrolled in an air ambulance plan.

“What I experienced can happen to anybody,” he said. “Everyone needs this.”

Access discounted pricing on MASA plans at AlfaFarmers.org/perks.

Members can also call MASA at (888) 814-3458 or contact the Alabama Farmers Federation at (334) 612-5219 for assistance.