06/01/2026
CCAO Launches Emergency Transport Protection Resource for Member Counties
Ohio counties continue to face growing pressure to remain competitive employers while managing tight budgets and evolving workforce expectations. As part of our ongoing commitment to support county leadership, CCAO is introducing a new benefits resource focused on an increasingly common and often costly coverage gap: emergency medical transportation.
CCAO is now making information available to member counties about Medical Access & Service Advantage (MASA®), a leading nationwide provider of emergency medical transportation protections designed to complement existing county benefit programs.
Addressing a growing benefits challenge
Emergency ground and air ambulance services can result in significant out‑of‑pocket expenses for employees—even when they are covered by traditional health insurance. These costs are often unexpected and can create financial strain for employees and their families.
County workforces frequently operate across wide geographic areas and include employees who live or work in rural communities, where transport distances may be longer and provider options more limited. As counties evaluate benefits strategies that support recruitment, retention, and long‑term workforce sustainability, emergency transport exposure has become an issue worth reassessing.
Why CCAO is sharing this program
CCAO regularly reviews benefit solutions that align with the unique needs of public‑sector employers. After reviewing MASA’s public‑sector experience and structure, CCAO is sharing this option as a resource for counties seeking to strengthen their total rewards strategy without interrupting the core medical plan.
MASA is a leading nationwide provider of emergency medical transportation protections, with experience serving government and public‑sector employers across the country. The program is designed to work alongside existing healthcare coverage and shield employees against out-of-pocket costs associated with emergency ambulance transports and related expenses.
What employees get with MASA
Counties that offer MASA can provide employees access to a single, streamlined supplemental protection designed to help reduce out-of-pocket costs associated with emergency transportation. MASA complements — not replaces — primary health coverage, helping employees feel more financially prepared when unexpected emergencies happen.
By offering MASA, counties can add meaningful support to their benefits package while giving employees added confidence and peace of mind when it matters most.
Experience serving the public sector
MASA has extensive experience working with government and public-sector organizations across the country, including counties, municipalities, and employee groups with diverse workforce needs. This longstanding focus has helped MASA understand the unique considerations public-sector employers face when evaluating supplemental benefit offerings, including budget awareness, employee accessibility, and ease of administration.
As a result, MASA is well positioned to support counties seeking a straightforward supplemental protection program that can add meaningful value to their employee benefits package while aligning with the needs of a public-sector workforce.
Learn more
CCAO encourages member counties to review this program and determine whether it aligns with their workforce and benefits goals.
Counties can:
- View the full MASA overview for CCAO members at masaaccess.com/ccao
- Contact Earl Toole, MASA Regional Sales Executive, Public Sector, at etoole@masamts.com
- Or reach out to Tim Hoverman, CCAO Program Administrator, at thoverman@ccao.org
As always, CCAO remains committed to helping counties access information and resources that support informed decision‑making.