Medical Transportation
HRSA Service Definition
Medical Transportation is the provision of nonemergency transportation services that enables an eligible client to access or be retained in core medical and support services.
Program Guidance:
Medical transportation may be provided through:
- Contracts with providers of transportation services
- Mileage reimbursement (through a non-cash system) that enables clients to travel to needed medical or other support services, but should not in any case exceed the established rates for federal Programs (Federal Joint Travel Regulations provide further guidance on this subject)
- Purchase or lease of organizational vehicles for client transportation programs, provided the recipient receives prior approval for the purchase of a vehicle
- Organization and use of volunteer drivers (through programs with insurance and other liability issues specifically addressed)
- Voucher or token systems
Unallowable costs include:
- Direct cash payments or cash reimbursements to clients
- Direct maintenance expenses (tires, repairs, etc.) of a privately-owned vehicle
- Any other costs associated with a privately-owned vehicle such as lease, loan payments, insurance, license, or registration fees
Number of Clients Served, Units Provided, Expenditures, Allocation, and Over/Under-spending
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation Clients | 2,359 | 2,651 | 2,483 | 2,545 | 1,373 | 1,930 | 1,667 |
| Transportation Units (one-way trip) | 28,658 | 34,702 | 28,891 | 36,972 | 12,185 | 23,001 | 13,487 |
| Transportation Dollars | $448,962 | $534,622 | $561,430 | $580,520 | $498,372 | $779,795 | $678,901 |
| Allocated Dollars | $438,288 | $451,205 | $444,351 | $493,312 | $493,248 | $493,118 | $528,958 |
| Over/ Underspending | $10,674 over | $83,417 over | $117,079 over | $87,208 over | $5,124 over | $286,667 over | $145,943 over |
Funding by Part, and info on any other payers
| Total Part A Funds (Formula + Supp.) | MAI | Total Part B Funds (Formula + Supp. NJ) | Total Part B Funds (Formula + Supp. PA) | Total Part C EIS Funds (State & Local) | Total Part D Funds (State & Local) | Total Part F Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last Year Allocation | $528,958 | $115,168 | |||||
| Current Allocation | $583,768 |
Consumer survey info 2017 n=392
| n | Used in the last 12 months | Needed but did not get (last 12 months) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Transportation Services | 145 | 69.7% | 30.3% |
Community Survey 2022 Service Responses n=236
| I never personally needed this service | I needed this service and received it | I needed but did not get this service | I never heard of this service | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Transporation Services | 30.93% | 36.44% | 5.93% | 2.12% |
Unmet need
For the purposes of this document, need is based on the response of a consumer when asked if there was a service they needed. MMP interviews patients in care and asks consumers if they need a service and if they receive it. Client services unit data identifies needs at the time of initial intake.
| 2015-18 MMP Percent with a Need | 2021 Client Services Unit Need at Intake | |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Transportation Services | 8.5% | 61.7% |
Recipient Service Considerations
Medical Transportation Services
In FY22, 263 (-13.6%) fewer clients received 9,514 (-41.4%) fewer one-way or round trips than in the previous year. Expenditures also decreased by 13.5%.
In FY22, subrecipients were required to begin entering one unit of service per one-way trip or round trip, instead of one unit for a one-way trip and two units per round trip. This contributed to the decline in units.