State Makes Policy Change Regarding Medicaid Transportation

(Jan. 6, 2025) The State is in the process of rolling out a new policy which will require Medicaid transportation trips of beneficiaries to originate and end at the same location.  The Medical Answering Service (MAS) portal now reflects this change.  The change will require a Medicaid enrollee to be picked up at an initial location, attend a medical appointment, and then be returned that same initial location. Attending multiple appointments or being returned to a location different from the original pick up site will not be allowed in the system. Currently, this policy change only impacts MAS trips. It is still unclear whether this policy change impacts transportation trips billed fee for service. 

Adult Day Health Care program registrants often attend medical appointments either before or after attending the ADHC program.  This will still be allowed and the exception to the new policy.  ADHC registrants will continue to be able to leave program, attend a doctors appointment, and then be brought home.  

There are still glitches in the portal that do not clarify this exception for ADHCs.  ADHCC has been told that DOH will soon issue a policy communication on this which will be shared as soon as it is available. 

Social adult day programs also often have participants attend medical appointments before or after program.  LeadingAge New York will explore options with MAS and the State to see if this will still be allowed.  

Please reach out to us to share any concerns or questions you may have on how this new change might impact residents or other individuals in long term care. 

Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org.