NJ Spotlight published the following article on August 7, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
THE DOCTOR MAY BE IN…BUT SOME LOW-INCOME PATIENTS ARE LEFT WAITING FOR A RIDE
Health advocates cite long waits for medical-transport vans, seek changes in what Medicaid requires of contractors
For patients with chronic conditions, working closely with healthcare professionals takes time and dedication. Some low-income patients face an additional worry – trying to get a ride to the doctor’s office.
While the federally and state-funded Medicaid program provides transportation for needed medical visits, residents in Camden, Trenton and elsewhere in the state say these rides are too often delayed or nonexistent, adding to the physical and financial costs of untreated illnesses.
But both patients and their advocates say there’s an opportunity to change that, starting with the state’s Medicaid transportation contract.
Dr. Jeffrey Brenner, executive director of the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, said the state should realign the incentives to ensure that transportation payments are tied more closely to the quality of service. He said there should also be more community input into how the system is designed and better monitoring to make sure rides are on schedule and that patients are satisfied.