Medicaid Transportation Services

Current law requires the public utilities commission (commission) to oversee the safety and oversight of medicaid nonmedical and nonemergency medical transportation services (transportation services). The act eliminates the commission's responsibility to oversee the safety and oversight of the transportation services.

The act requires the department of health care policy and financing (department) to oversee the safety and oversight of the transportation services. If a provider of transportation services already complies with the transportation safety standards established by another state department which meet or exceed the rules and processes established by the department, demonstrating such compliance to the department is sufficient to verify compliance with the requirements of the act. The act also requires the department to collaborate with stakeholders, including but not limited to disability and member advocates, PACE providers, transportation brokers, and transportation providers, to establish rules and processes for the safety and oversight of transportation services.

For the 2021-22 state fiscal year, the general fund appropriation made in the annual general appropriation act to the department for transfer to the department of regulatory agencies for regulation of medicaid transportation is decreased by $66,003. The same amount is appropriated from the general fund to the department for medical and long-term care services for medicaid-eligible individuals.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)