Navigating healthcare can often be complex, especially when transportation to medical appointments is a concern. For Medicaid members, the Medicaid Transportation program offers a vital service, ensuring access to necessary medical care. While the specifics of forms may evolve, understanding the general program, such as it operated around 2015 and continues to function, is crucial. This article provides an overview of the Medicaid Transportation program, how it works, and how to access its services, focusing on the key aspects relevant to ensuring you can reach your healthcare providers.
What is the Medicaid Transportation Program?
The Medicaid Transportation program is designed to guarantee that Medicaid enrollees have access to and from their healthcare appointments without incurring personal expenses. This program arranges non-emergency transportation to essential medical services, including scheduled visits to primary care physicians and dentists. It’s important to note that for emergency medical situations, individuals should always call 911. The program is specifically for medical appointments and does not cover trips to non-medical locations such as pharmacies for prescription pick-ups, gyms, schools, or grocery stores.
Transportation arrangements are made based on the most medically appropriate and cost-effective level of service. This can range from public transportation options and taxi or livery services to ambulette and ambulance services (both ALS and BLS), and even reimbursement for personal vehicle mileage. The program aims to provide transportation that aligns with the mode of transport an individual typically uses in their daily life.
The administration of the Medicaid Transportation program is contracted out to a transportation broker, Medical Answering Services (MAS). MAS is responsible for a variety of crucial functions, including scheduling transportation, managing contact centers to handle inquiries and requests, conducting utilization reviews to ensure appropriate service use, and performing other essential administrative tasks necessary for the program’s smooth operation. For more detailed information about the program, you can visit the MAS website.
Scheduling Your Medicaid Transportation
To schedule transportation, you can directly contact the call center designated for your specific region. Medical Answering Services (MAS) operates regional contact centers to efficiently manage transportation requests across different counties.
Medical Answering Services, LLC
https://www.medanswering.com/
Downstate: 844-666-6270
Counties Served: Bronx, Brooklyn (Kings), Manhattan (New York), Nassau, Putnam, Queens, Staten Island (Richmond), Suffolk, Westchester
Upstate: 866-932-7740
Counties Served: Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Rensselaer, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates
These contact centers are equipped to provide comprehensive assistance, offering toll-free phone lines to eliminate call charges, translation services to accommodate diverse language needs, and telecommunications relay services to support individuals with hearing impairments.
In addition to phone scheduling, you have the convenience of creating an online account through the MAS website (https://www.medanswering.com). This online portal offers another avenue to schedule your transportation needs.
It is recommended to contact the transportation manager at least 72 hours prior to your medical appointment when requesting transportation. This advance notice allows for proper arrangements to be made. Crucially, all transportation trips must receive prior approval from the transportation manager to ensure they align with program guidelines and eligibility.
Addressing Complaints Regarding Services
If you encounter any issues or dissatisfaction with the transportation services provided, there are channels available to file a complaint. You can directly register your complaint with MAS through their phone service or via their website (https://www.medanswering.com).
Alternatively, you can also reach out to the Department at [email protected] or by calling 518-473-2160 to voice your concerns. For complaints specifically related to Medical Answering Services, the NYS DOH provides a dedicated form available here. Utilizing these channels ensures that feedback is received and can contribute to the continuous improvement of the Medicaid Transportation program.
Further Resources and Information
For those who are enrolled transportation providers within the Medicaid system, valuable resources are available, including the Fee Schedule and Transportation Provider Manuals, accessible at Fee Schedule and Transportation Provider Manuals.
Transportation companies interested in becoming Medicaid providers can find information regarding the enrollment process at Provider Enrollment.
To stay updated on any program changes or modifications, the Transportation Medicaid Updates page is a useful resource: Transportation Medicaid Updates.
For a comprehensive understanding of the regulations governing Medicaid Transportation, refer to Title: Section 505.10 – Transportation for Medical Care and Services. This section provides detailed insights into the legal and operational framework of the program.
Questions, Comments, and Concerns
For any further inquiries, feedback, or concerns related to the Medicaid Transportation program, you can contact the Department of Health – Bureau of Health Access, Policy, and Innovation directly.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (518) 473-2160
By understanding the structure and resources of the Medicaid Transportation program, Medicaid members can effectively utilize this service to ensure they receive the medical care they need.
