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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05051992 - 1.68 To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Conjq� Frr;►a: Mark Finucane, Director Costa Health Services Department ..... County DATEApril 13, 1992 °r .. f/y� SUBJECT: WHEEL CHAIR TRANSPORTATION IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SPECIFIC REOUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)i BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION I. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept report from Health Services Director on the status of Wheel Chair Transportation Services in Contra Costa County. II. FINANCIAL IMPACT: No impact. III. BACKGROUND: This report is in response to a letter the Board of Supervisors received from Susan A. Saunders of Martinez on behalf of her 81 year old grandmother, Ida Moroni, who has had problems with transportation to medical appointments via ambo-vans. Ambu-vans are vehicles that are not ambulances buY that can transport up to four wheel chair bound patients. The Contra Costa County Health Services Department neither controls or regulates these services. In fact, we find ourselves in much the same situation as Ms. Saunders when we need to transport our wheel chair bound patients. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED >S OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE W"UTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ONE DATE SHOWN. I CC: Phil Batchelor, County Admi ni;strator ATTESTED Park Finucane, Health Services Depactment PHIL BATCHELOR,CL19KOFTHEBOARDOF Frank Puglisi , Health Services Department SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR M382 (10/88) BY DEPUTY -2- There are two types of companies that transport wheel chair bound patients: The first is the State regulated and licensed ambulance companies. These providers respond with a full ambulance, however, their costs are significantly more than the wheel chair transportation van. Further, Medi-Cal will not reimburse for a full ambulance charge unless it is a verified medical necessity. The second type of transport company is one primarily for wheel chairs. The requirements for this company are that 1) the vehicles be properly equipped to handle the wheel chairs; 2) the drivers be properly licensed and; 3) if the company seeks Medi-Cal reimbursement for services, it must obtain a Medi-Cal provider number. The State reimbursement for Medi-Cal patients is extremely low. As a result there are not many companies who provide this service and those that are in business have problems meeting the demand. The Health Services Department uses the sole primary wheel chair transportation provider in the County, as well as several in neighboring counties. Because of the scarcity of this service, Merrithew Memorial Hospital is using its Public Service Officer Department to provide the transportation of wheel chair bound psychiatric patients to court and shelter facilities. For Contra Costa residents with adequate resources, ambulance companies would probably meet their needs. Certain paratransit services in the county also provide wheel chair transportation, but those usually have restricted availability. Unfortunately, for most people who need the services of an ambu-van, the options are limited. We have responded to Ms. Saunders. Although we could offer her no solution, we did suggest that she advise the Medi-Cal Field Office of her experience. A copy of the letter is attached. Perhaps your Board would want to include licensing and regulation of these companies in your next legislative package.