Washington State Transportation Services: Connecting You with the Right Options

Washington State’s Health Care Authority (HCA) ensures that eligible individuals have access to essential healthcare services, and a crucial part of this access is reliable transportation. For those enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid and CHIP) and other state-funded medical assistance programs, non-emergency transportation services are available to facilitate travel to and from covered medical appointments. Understanding these services and how to access them is vital for residents across Washington State. This article will guide you through the process, ensuring you can connect with the appropriate transportation resources in your county.

The transportation provided through HCA encompasses a variety of options to suit diverse needs. These include accessible public transportation like buses, taxis, and wheelchair-accessible vans, catering to individuals with mobility challenges. For longer distances or specific situations, options such as airplane travel, ferry tickets, and even gas vouchers or mileage reimbursement for personal vehicles may be available. This comprehensive approach aims to remove transportation barriers, ensuring everyone can reach their healthcare providers.

Determining Your Eligibility for Transportation Assistance

To be eligible for transportation assistance under the Washington State HCA program, there are specific criteria you need to meet. These requirements are designed to ensure that the service reaches those who genuinely need it:

• Valid ProviderOne Services Card: You must possess a current ProviderOne services card, which serves as proof of your enrollment in Apple Health or another qualifying state-funded medical assistance program.
• Lack of Alternative Transportation: A key requirement is that you have no other means of transportation readily available to get to your healthcare appointment. This ensures the program assists those who would otherwise be unable to access medical care.
• Covered Healthcare Appointment: The healthcare appointment you are traveling to must be a service covered under your Apple Health program. It’s important to confirm that your appointment falls within the scope of your healthcare coverage.

Meeting these eligibility requirements is the first step in accessing transportation assistance and ensuring you can attend your necessary medical appointments.

How to Request Transportation Services

Requesting transportation assistance is a straightforward process that begins with contacting the designated transportation broker for your specific county. These brokers act as the central coordinators, arranging the most suitable transportation based on your needs and location.

For appointments within your local community, the transportation broker can directly arrange your transport. However, if your healthcare provider is located outside of your local area, it will require approval from the transportation broker. This step ensures efficient resource allocation and appropriate service provision.

When you reach out to the transportation broker, be prepared to provide the following essential information to facilitate the arrangement of your transportation:

• ProviderOne Services Card: Have your ProviderOne services card readily available for verification.
• Complete Pick-up Address: Provide your full and accurate pick-up address to ensure the transportation provider can locate you easily.
• Healthcare Provider Information: Share the name and phone number of your healthcare provider for coordination purposes.
• Appointment Details: Specify the exact date and time of your appointment to schedule transportation accordingly.
• Type of Appointment: Inform the broker about the type of healthcare appointment (e.g., dialysis, OB-GYN, dental) as this may influence transportation needs.
• Return Time (if known): If you know your return time after the appointment, providing this information in advance can help streamline the scheduling of your return journey.

It is strongly recommended to contact your county’s transportation broker at least 7 to 14 days prior to your scheduled healthcare appointment. While brokers strive to accommodate all requests, contacting them with sufficient notice significantly increases the likelihood of securing transportation. Requests made less than two business days before the appointment may face challenges in scheduling, potentially impacting your ability to reach your healthcare provider on time.

Washington State Transportation Broker Directory

To access transportation services, locate your county in the directory below and contact the corresponding broker. They are your point of contact for arranging your non-emergency medical transportation needs.

By utilizing this directory and understanding the eligibility and request process, individuals in Washington State can effectively access the transportation services they need to maintain their health and well-being.