Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew has issued the following statement regarding Non-Emergency Transportation: The Department continues to focus on transportation issues Statewide, and we continue to work with the brokers to improve service delivery to MaineCare members.
Our approach to managing non-emergency transportation is the right one. Oversimplifying this complex issue for political gain has created unnecessary noise, and we will not be distracted by it. We remain focused on sound management and decision-making based on analysis of the facts and thorough evaluation of the impact of our decisions on the members we serve.
Our focus is on ride delivery, and we recognize that 100 percent delivery of requested rides is a lofty goal in a system that delivers more than 2.2 million rides annually. However, are working hard to improve ride delivery, and we are working daily with the brokers to understand factors that impact missed rides and how to improve performance.
Regarding Coordinated Transportation Services, the Department continues to evaluate volumes of data and information as it assesses the performance of CTS.
Discussions about adjustments to contracts began with CTS and other contracted brokers in September, based on data that confirmed the number of rides needed in each region did not align with the claims data that was provided to the brokers in the Request for Proposals. This was particularly true in terms of transportation for members needing a wheelchair service, which was understated by more than 200 rides in the regions CTS serves in the month of August alone. In the previous system, data was submitted for rides provided, not missed trips, which are now required to be reported under the current contract.
We acknowledge that there have been discussions on contract amendments, but no action has been taken to date.
While CTS has made improvements over the last two months, we continue to evaluate their performance and adherence to the Corrective Action Plan, as well as other contractual requirements. We are making good progress on the review, but no final determination has been made regarding the contract. We will make an informed decision based on meeting the transportation needs of MaineCare members.
Our approach to managing non-emergency transportation is the right one. Oversimplifying this complex issue for political gain has created unnecessary noise, and we will not be distracted by it. We remain focused on sound management and decision-making based on analysis of the facts and thorough evaluation of the impact of our decisions on the members we serve.
Our focus is on ride delivery, and we recognize that 100 percent delivery of requested rides is a lofty goal in a system that delivers more than 2.2 million rides annually. However, are working hard to improve ride delivery, and we are working daily with the brokers to understand factors that impact missed rides and how to improve performance.
Regarding Coordinated Transportation Services, the Department continues to evaluate volumes of data and information as it assesses the performance of CTS.
Discussions about adjustments to contracts began with CTS and other contracted brokers in September, based on data that confirmed the number of rides needed in each region did not align with the claims data that was provided to the brokers in the Request for Proposals. This was particularly true in terms of transportation for members needing a wheelchair service, which was understated by more than 200 rides in the regions CTS serves in the month of August alone. In the previous system, data was submitted for rides provided, not missed trips, which are now required to be reported under the current contract.
We acknowledge that there have been discussions on contract amendments, but no action has been taken to date.
While CTS has made improvements over the last two months, we continue to evaluate their performance and adherence to the Corrective Action Plan, as well as other contractual requirements. We are making good progress on the review, but no final determination has been made regarding the contract. We will make an informed decision based on meeting the transportation needs of MaineCare members.