Medical Transporation

[miwido]

I have been reading a few posts with people having issues and not able to drive anymore. Thought I would share some info that may help some of you. If you are on Medicaid, then you can get medical transportation to and from your doctor. All states are different, but you should be able to set up transportation to get you to an appointment. Here's a link with some info: cms.gov/medicare-medicaid-c... Some states allow a family member to take you and get some reimbursement. I know that not everyone is on Medicaid, but if you are - this may help. Thanks!

[Jazzyinco]

Miwido, thanks, but do not even get me started on the Medicaid transportation issue!😡😠 Here in the Rocky's of Colorado, they denied many, many of us the transport to our Doc's down the Prarie, so we had our hubby's/wives/caregivers drive us way down, our highway was being wrkd. On last year, so we had to go 90 miles out of the way both ways each time!! Now, almost one yr. Later we all are stillawaiting for our reimbursements from medicaid!! The lady in chrge. Denied our requests for reimbursement & so now we have a case mange on it & still waiting!!😜😡😠 They owe many of us about $200.00 each for all the driving our people who took us did, we had to go through about 4 or 5 towns to get to our Doc's town, i truly hope other's states are better than this one about this issue! Oy!

But thnks anyway for link, they may help someone Kn0t in Colorado!😃😄😀LOL! Blessings---Jazz🌹💜

[Iona60 in reply to Jazzyinco]

Jazzyinco see my suggestions below

[miwido in reply to Jazzyinco]

Hi Jazz - I certainly understand. Medicaid can be frustrating to say the least. I am currently living in Arkansas and they do not do reimbursements anymore. (They used to and stopped.) Now you are required to use Medicaid transportation and have no choice. I am currently working for an Area Agency on Aging and we deal with Medicaid every day - so I am used to fighting with them. Lol. Have you tried an Ombudsman in your area? There should be an advocate that may be able to help in your fight - or help you find someone who can help. Try looking at this - and hope it helps! Thanks - Michele theconsumervoice.org/get_he...

[ssdw1958 in reply to Jazzyinco]

I live in a small town I am 59 years old and disabled and I guess I am too young for some transition. Also I would have to have some one come in my house to assist me to get out of the house. My question to you is how safe is this in this day and age. I am sure you all know what I am talking about??

[Iona60]

Large cities provide medical transportation for seniors and those with disabilities.

I've also heard that Presbyterian churches have volunteers that take people to the Dr and you don't have to be a member.

[miwido in reply to Iona60]

I forgot about that! Brain Fog... Lol. Our local senior center will take folks for free (and you don't have to necessarily be a senior). I live in a very small town in the foothills of the Ozarks, so folks may have better luck in larger towns and cities. Those are great resources that you mentioned!

[kris1973]

MN does - at least for the Mpls/St. Paul area. Same rate as bus fare. Just need to get certified by dr. No benefits needed. Finally used it for the 1st time after 4 years (Dan goes to all my appts). My 12 year old was my PCA & was free. Made it a mom/daughter day -Kris

[agate]

miwido , it does indeed depend on the state you're in. When I lived in WA state and was on Medicaid, they had a paratransit van specially for medical appointments for people on Medicaid. It was free. In OR though there seem to be two types of Medicaid, and the type I'm on--Oregon Health Plan Basic, I think it's called--doesn't entitle me to special transportation for medical trips but those who are on the other plan do get them. If I opted for that plan, I'd need to pay $195/month but the amount you pay varies with your income.

Most larger cities have a paratransit system providing door-to-door transportation but you pay for tickets and you may have to ride around or wait quite a while for rides because they are picking up and dropping off many people. That is the system I use for all transportation. I use a wheelchair and need a lift-equiped van.

@Iona60, I never heard that about Presbyterian churches but will definitely look into it.

[Iona60 in reply to agate]

A client in FL told me about this as she was one of the volunteers. She seemed to think that it was in all states

[lbenmaor]

So good to know. Thanks for sharing.

Leslie

[Bamfan1442]

Yea, if they show up. My Medicaid insurance requires that you call at least 48 hrs in advance of your scheduled appointment in order to arrange medical transportation. I did that, and my ride never showed up. So I called the transportation company (no joke here, their name is "Reliable Medical Transportation" lol), and they said I wasn't on their schedule for that day. So, then I called Meridian ( my insurance), and they told me that "Reliable Medical Transportation" had a vehicle down (out of service), and didn't have a driver available at that time to take me to to my appointment. Nice of them to let me know what was going on. The transportation company finally called me, 10 minutes before my scheduled appointment time, saying that they found an Uber driver that could pick me up. Problem--my Dr office is in Caledonia, 25 miles away. Damn really? I gave them the address when I called the first time, so they should have known that I wouldn't be able to make it there in time. JEEZ 😫😠😡