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RVTD to offer medical transport By Jessica Smith Seniors and disabled men and women soon will have an easier time finding transportation to a doctor�s appointment, a physical therapy session or a chemotherapy treatment. Rogue Valley Transportation District in July plans to unveil TransLink, a non-emergency medical transportation system for Medicaid and Oregon Health Plan patients in three Southern Oregon counties. "It�s going to help those clients tremendously," said Julie Brown, RVTD�s alternative transportation specialist. The state Department of Human Services for years has picked up the costs of non-emergency transportation for Medicaid and OHP clients through the Oregon Medical Assistance Program. But for a lot of patients, it�s a daylong affair to coordinate travel with caseworkers and providers. "It�s such a hassle, people don�t use it," Brown said. "Now, when they call they�ll know within one to two minutes when they�ll be picked up." To streamline its program, the state hires transit districts like RVTD to coordinate transportation to doctor�s offices, hospitals and other medical facilities. Drawing from existing providers and transportation networks in Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties, OMAP decided to create a partnership in Southern Oregon that is expected to serve 50,000 Medicaid and OHP clients. "We appreciate RVTD stepping into the lead on this," said Larry Daimler, who manages OMAP�s medical transportation program. "We�re really pleased we don�t have to reinvent the wheel down there." A grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation and funds from OMAP paid the $494,000 in set-up costs for TransLink. OMAP will fund the program�s operational costs, estimated at $1.4 million a year, Daimler said. OMAP currently manages about 59,000 non-emergency medical transports a year in the TransLink area. With the brokerage, Daimler said he expects a 15 percent yearly increase in use of the OMAP program. Don Bruland, director of senior and disabled services for the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, said coordinated medical transportation is a "critical need" for Medicaid and OHP clients in Southern Oregon. A lot of patients live in rural areas where transportation can be difficult to find, he said. With TransLink, rural residents can be assured transportation that meets their needs. "This is a step in the right direction," Bruland said. "I strongly believe that." Clients or their caseworkers will arrange non-emergency travel to any destination within the three-county area by phoning TransLink�s Medford-based call center. Brown, TransLink manager, said call center workers will match clients with the type of transportation that best meets their needs. Taxis, buses, escorted transport and stretcher services � vehicles other than ambulances which are outfitted with gurneys � all will be covered under TransLink. RVTD officials estimate there are 200 non-emergency transportation providers in the three-county area. Though TransLink will begin as a non-emergency transport service only, RVTD officials say they hope to one day expand the program for anyone with special transportation needs. Drawing from TransLink�s bank of providers would give people dependent on public transit more options for travel, officials explain. "Our job is transportation," said Sherrin Coleman, RVTD general manager. "Even though we are a fixed-route provider, it�s in the community�s best interest for us to provide as comprehensive a transit system as we can. " Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.