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Change in Medicaid Transportation

November 15, 2005
By: David Schneider
State Capital Bureau

The provider of Medicare transportation is making changes that are reducing waiting time for patients. David Schneider has more in Jefferson City.


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One week after a southwest Missouri man died while waiting for a scheduled ride to the hospital, more ambulances, personnel and phone lines have been added to make service run more efficiently. Deborah Scott, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Social Services, says Logisticare, the new Medicare transportation provider, has worked with the Division of Medical Services to help serve patients.

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Contents: "Logisticare has added 14 ambulatory vehicles, and 17 wheelchair vehicles, to service North Saint Louis Jefferson County Saint Louis and the Joplin area."

Scott says this will allow for an additional 400 to 450 trips per day. From the state capital, I'm David Schneider.

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The Missouri Department of Social Services says Medicaid patients needing medical transportation are getting more service with less waiting time. David Schneider has more in Jefferson City.


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Missouri's Medicare transportation provider, Logisticare, added 31 ambulances and 48 phone lines to it's service in Missouri. This comes one week after a Missouri man died waiting for a scheduled ride to the hospital. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Social Services, Deborah Scott says patients are already seeing the effects of the changes.

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Contents: "The wait time has been reduced significantly for those who are calling in to reserve a ride, uh, wait time is down by 40%."

Scott says the driver no-show rate is down by a half since last week. From the state Capital, I'm David Schneider.

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Changes in Medicaid transportation mean better service for patients a week after a man died waiting for a ride to the hospital. David Schneider has more in Jefferson City.


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Last week anyone needing medical transportation provided by Medicaid would have had to wait longer for a ride that may -- or may not -- have shown up. This week things are better. The Missouri Department of Social Services says 31 new ambulances, 48 more phone lines and extra personnel have all been added to service. Department spokeswoman Deborah Scott says patients who need a lift can have more confidence they will be picked up.

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Contents: "The provider no-show rate is also significantly down. Last week, at the high point it was 55, today it was down to 26 so that's been cut in half"

Last week Logisticare became Missouri's provider for Medicaid transportation. From the state capital, I'm David Schneider.