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Medical Transportation Program (MTP). Sheryl S. Woolsey November 29, 2007 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). MTP’s Goal and Purpose.
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Medical Transportation Program (MTP) Sheryl S. Woolsey November 29, 2007 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
MTP’s Goal and Purpose • To provide cost-effective non- emergency transportation to clients who do not have any other means of transportation to access necessary health program allowable services.
Available Services • MTP can arrange a free ride, via • Contracted demand response providers • Mass Transit • Mileage reimbursement • Meals & lodging for overnight stays
Additional Services • For Medicaid under 21 only • Advance funds for mileage • Advance funds for meals & lodging
MTP Structure • Three call centers Dallas San Antonio McAllen • Central Office Program Management Contract Monitoring Claims
Clients Served • Medicaid • Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) • Transportation for Indigent Cancer Patients (TICP)
Services Provided • Medicaid • 4,197,997 Trips • CSHCN • 18,905 Trips • TICP • 2,824 Trips
Call Volumes FY 2007 FY 2006 FY 2005
How Did We Get Here? • In 2003, legislation mandated that HHSC contract with TxDOT for the provision of transportation services. • Shortage in General Revenue may have driven the change with State Highway Funds paying for transportation services of Health and Human Services programs.
When Did We Arrive? • September 2003 – HHSC signed agreement with TxDOT • March 2004 - Staff and MTP operations transitioned from Texas Department of Health to TxDOT
Accomplishments • March 2004 - Successful transition to TxDOT • No interruption of client services • Feb 2005 – New Advance Funds contract
Accomplishments 2 • June 2005 - Started reporting for Frew v. Hawkins lawsuit • Settled in 1996, access to care • April 2005, Attorney General recommended changes • Within 6 weeks, TxDOT was ready
Accomplishments 3 • June 2006 – New contracts • Difference in perspective • Transportation Services/Social Services • Focus on coordination • Demand Response contractors • 52 to 15 • Streamlined rate structure
Accomplishments 4 • June 2006 – Consolidation • From 9 call centers to 3 • Automated Claims Processing • Created 9 positions for contract monitoring • Centralized non-call center functions
Accomplishments 5 • For 5 months in FY 2007, met Frew requirements • Average wait in queue 60 seconds (or less) • Abandon rate of 10% (or less)
Challenges • Rules, Medicaid authority, and reporting reside at different agency • Separating transportation services from social service functions • Frew lawsuit • Varying monthly call volumes • Constant change since March 2004
Suggestions • Review & revise program rules prior to transition • Consider moving authority of rules to receiving agency if possible • Review operations • Look at existing locations and structure prior to transition
Suggestions2 • Consult call center experts about design and technology • Be ready for increased visibility • Recognize differences between transportation models
Suggestions3 • Understand cost of delivering services • Pilot ride-sharing programs • Notify Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS)
What is Next for MTP? • Legislation in 2007 transferred MTP to HHSC. • Why? Speculatively: • Greater focus on Frew compliance • CMS deferral
What is Next for MTP? 2 • Transition to HHSC by August 31, 2008 • MTP will be part of a new Associateship at HHSC