The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) operates the Medical Transportation Program for non-emergency medical transportation for low-income Texans. The goal is to make sure that a lack of transportation doesn’t prevent this vulnerable group citizens from having access to health care.
Patients are eligible for the program if they’re enrolled in Medicaid, Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSGCB) Services Program, or Transportation for Indigent Cancer Patients (TCIP) and don’t have other means of transportation.
The Medical Transportation Program arranges rides to a physician’s office, dentist’s office, hospital, pharmacy, or any other provider of eligible healthcare services.
Although the program may pay a friend or family member of the eligible patient to drive the patient to appointments, most transportation is provided by outsourced third-party transportation-service providers, which are referred to as Managed Transportation Organizations (MTOs). The MTOs handle transportation for eligible patients and are paid for their services by HHSC.
Texas Administrative Code Chapter 380 governs MTOs. Among other requirements, the vehicles used by Managed Transportation Organizations must:
• Meet or exceed warranty and component standards for Texas and federal mechanical operating and maintenance standards.
• Comply with American with Disability Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles.
• Be identified with the transportation provider name and vehicle number with letters that are at least 6” tall.
• Have functioning, clean, accessible seatbelts for each passenger.
• Have working interior light within the passenger compartment.
• Have two exterior rearview mirrors, one on each side of the vehicle.
• Have an interior mirror for monitoring the passenger compartment.
• Have a working fire extinguisher.
• Contain a first aid kit.
Moreover, the motor vehicle operative or driver for a MTO must:
• Be verified by the MTO to have a valid driver’s license and appropriate driving and criminal record.
• Have annual training on passenger safety.
• Have annual training on passenger assistance.
• Have annual training on assistive devices, including wheelchair lifts, tie-down equipment, and child safety seats.
• Complete defensive driving techniques training at least every two years.
Unfortunately, some Texas non-emergency medical transportation companies seem to be in the business for a quick buck and don’t take seriously the responsibilities for providing safe patient transportation. When this happens, it can lead to accidents or wrecks that cause severe patient injuries.
If you’ve been seriously injured because of dangerous or inappropriate services by non-emergency medical transportation company in Texas, then contact a top-rated experienced Houston, Texas medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your potential case.
