*** The Health Care Programs Manual (HCPM) has been replaced by the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual (EPM) as of June 1, 2016. Please refer to the EPM for current health care program policy information. ***
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Effective: June 1, 2009 |
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28.05.05 - Access Transportation Services |
Archived: June 1, 2016 (Previous Versions) |
Access service plans cover the cost of transportation to help enrollees obtain medically necessary health care. Enrollees must use the most cost effective available means of transportation.
Reimbursable Transportation Costs.
Transportation Costs Not in Access Plans.
Reimbursable Transportation Costs
Access service plans cover:
l Mileage reimbursement for vehicle use of 20 cents per mile to enrollees who transport themselves, or for those with a vested interest (such as a friend, neighbor, relative, or personal care attendant).
l Mileage reimbursement at the current IRS rate to volunteer drivers registered with the county who use their vehicles to transport enrollees and licensed foster parents.
l Actual cost of parking.
l Actual cost of taxicab, bus or other commercial carrier when this is the most cost effective means available.
l Ambulance transportation from a non-enrolled provider when the ambulance is medically necessary. Ambulance providers who are enrolled as Minnesota Health Care Programs providers will bill DHS directly for the services.
Note: County or tribal agency or MinnesotaCare Operations access plans must specify whether reimbursement is available for ”no-load” transportation. No-load transportation means mileage was incurred when the enrollee was not in the vehicle, such as the distance traveled to pick up enrollees.
Transportation Costs Not in Access Plans
The following transportation costs are not paid under access plans:
l Special transportation. Special transportation is covered by MA and is available to an enrollee with a physical or mental impairment that would prevent the person from safely using common carriers or a private automobile. DHS reimburses special transportation providers who are enrolled as Minnesota Health Care Program providers. In the metro area, providers are reimbursed through the transportation coordinator.
Note: Transportation is not reimbursed if the cost is included in a per diem payment to an Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (ICF/DD) or other facility.
l Transportation to a health care site for detention ordered by a court or law enforcement agency.
Exception: Allow the cost for an ambulance if it is medically necessary.
l Transportation to an alcohol detoxification facility.
Exception: Allow the transportation cost if detoxification is medically necessary.
l Additional charges for luggage, stair carry of the enrollee, airport surcharge or other airport, bus or railroad terminal services.
l Federal or state sales or excise taxes on ambulance service.
l Transportation to services that are not covered under Minnesota Health Care Programs.
n The service does not have to be billed to DHS or obtained from an enrolled provider. However, both the service and the provider must be eligible for enrollment and coverage under Minnesota Health Care Programs.
n Consult the MHCP Provider Manual or the Provider Call Center at (800) 366-5411 for more information on services allowed and provider enrollment under Minnesota Health Care Programs.
Example:
Jordan is enrolled in MA and receives psychotherapy at the VA hospital. The service is not billed to MA because the VA has separate funding. The psychotherapist and the service provided meet the requirements for enrollment and reimbursement in Minnesota Health Care Programs.
Action:
Reimburse Jordan’s transportation costs if they meet the requirements of the local agency’s access plan.