Solution proposed for Medicaid transports

May 10--ELIZABETHTOWN -- Essex County lawmakers are looking at bypassing alleged rogue taxis to get Medicaid patients safely to medical appointments.

Problems arose when the state took over Medicaid transports from the county four years ago and began paying $44.37 plus expenses for a trip to a doctor's office or hospital, officials say.

So-called "Medicaid cabs" quickly sprang up around the county as individuals saw a way to profit from the new state-set fee scale.

Now, the Essex County Transportation Department and Adirondack Community Action Programs have partnered to create a new program that would use volunteer drivers to take Medicaid recipients to medical appointments.

ACAP would become a Medicaid-enrolled transportation provider, ACAP Executive Director Alan Jones said Monday, and a coordinator would be hired and ride payments negotiated with the state.

WOULD PAY EXPENSES

The system would be modeled after the one used by Clinton and St. Lawrence counties, with the volunteer drivers using their own vehicles and getting paid mileage, plus a stipend for trips that take an extended period of time.

Medical Answering Services LLC of Syracuse, the state's contractor, would still handle calls for Medicaid transportation, but drivers vetted by ACAP would make the runs.

The Essex County Board of Supervisors had previously considered licensing the Medicaid cabs, but the plan they're working on would be even better, County Transportation Coordinator Nancy Dougal told lawmakers.

Dougal came to a meeting of the County Human Services Committee on Monday with Jones, who outlined the proposed volunteer driver program.

"We are looking at the potential to providing volunteer services for Medicaid transport," Jones said. "We are in discussion with our (ACAP) Board to get their approval. We are looking to duplicate the very successful program of Clinton County. We would get volunteers in each township and pay their expenses."

BACKGROUND CHECKS

Jones said ACAP would receive trip assignments from Medical Answering Services then assign rides to volunteers, as well as do tracking and billing for the rides.

They'd perform a criminal background check on drivers and ensure they have valid driver's licenses and insurance, as well as safe vehicles, he said after the meeting.

Those concerns have all been problems associated with some of the Medicaid taxis, Essex County Department of Social Services Commissioner John O'Neill told supervisors.

"There's so much activity with rogue cab companies, we're getting reports some people are afraid to go," he said.

The state only requires the Medicaid cabs to have for-hire insurance and livery plates.

Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) said he was told one Medicaid cab driver who showed up was supposed to be under house arrest in the criminal justice system.

Others taxis have crashed enroute to appointments, while some have been stopped by police and ticketed for various violations, he said.

COST SKYROCKETED

The state lists 22 approved Medicaid cabs working in Essex County. Multiple rides were provided for 378 people in 2015.

County Manager Daniel Palmer said Medicaid transportation costs went from $800,000 in 2012, when the county ran the program, to $2.6 million last year with the state in charge.

Supervisor Charles Harrington (R-Crown Point), who chairs the Human Services Committee, said he's concerned about the safety of the Medicaid cabs.

"It's something that needs to be addressed," he said. "These taxi services have been taking advantage of loopholes, to the detriment of taxpayers."

Dougal said she and Jones will report back to the board on their progress starting the new program.

Email Lohr McKinstry:

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