Medicaid Transportation Update
LeadingAge NY members should continue to share their concerns with our staff regarding challenges with Medical Answering Service (MAS) and Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). As members know, MAS recently took over as the State broker for Medicaid transportation. The transportation benefit was carved out of the Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) benefit package in March to MAS, and that has placed increased demands on the MAS system and a financial strain on transportation providers.
Currently, Long Island ambulette companies providing NEMT to Medicaid beneficiaries, including long term care residents and registrants, are in discussions with MAS and the Department of Health (DOH) regarding their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Several companies shared their fiscal challenges with the State and warned of impending closures. Discussions continue, and Long Island vendors will consider stopping services at the end of this week if the parties cannot come to some resolution.
LeadingAge NY is in touch with the Long Island vendors and will report on Fri., May 10th where their negotiations stand.
Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871