Medical Assistance Transportation

The Rhode Island Department of Human Services recognizes that elderly citizens and people with disabilities receiving Medical Assistance need to have transportation available in order to access medical services.

For emergencies people should always call 911.

The use of friends, neighbors, and family members is encouraged. If none of these are available, health centers, community agencies or volunteer groups may be available in your area. When none of these options are available, there are also a number of transportation options listed below.

Rhode Island Public Tranit Authority (RIPTA)

People with disabilities and the elderly enrolled in Medical Assistance or the RI Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly Program may apply for the “no-fare” program and ride free with a RIPTA Senior/Disable Bus Pass during all hours on regularly scheduled routes. In limited areas of the state, flex service is also available. Information about flex service can be obtained by calling 1-800-906-Flex(3539). For application and regular route information call RIPTA at 784-9500 ext. 181.

The RIDE Program

RIDE provides door-to-door transportation to people over age 60 and people with disabilities under age 60. Transportation is generally available during weekdays for medical appointments, adult day care, and meal site lunches. Participants must register with RIDE at least two to three weeks in advance of the first use. Register by sending a copy of your Medical Assistance or SSI award letter along with Name, Address, Phone, Date of Birth and Name and Phone Number of an emergency contact to:

The RIDE Program 333 Melrose Street Providence, RI 02907.

Once you have you pass, call RIDE at least two weeks before your appointment at 461-9760 or 1-800-479-6902.

Hospital Transportation

If a recipient goes to a hospital and cannot take the same transportation home, the hospital staff will help find appropriate transportation. If the person does not know about this program, ask to speak to the social services or emergency department staff.

Transportation Hot Line

Medicaid clients who do not have transportation with family or friends and cannot use RIPTA or RIDE services may be eligible for non-emergency wheelchair van services. The Medical Assistance program has added coverage for these services for medical appointment on a prior approval basis. Medicaid clients requiring this service should contact the EDS Transportation Hot Line at 401-784-3899.

Once approval is given, an EDS representative will contact a participating ambulance company to coordinate this service. An additional attendant will be authorized when a recipient requires assistance to get in/out of their home and there are more than three stairs. Each mile over ten will be reimbursed separately.

In the event that services are provided on an urgent basis, you may obtain a retrospective authorization by calling the above number.

Hospitals are authorized to direct bill for transportation. Hospitals should use revenue code 542 to bill for these services utilizing either outpatient or inpatient place of service. Therefore, any non-emergency wheelchair van transportation requested by a hospital outside normal business hours will be reimbursed to the provider by the hospital.

Medical Assistance does not cover chair van service for travel to and from nursing homes.

Applicable procedure codes and allowed amounts are listed below. Please note A0130 may be billed with two units to indicate a round trip. No modifiers are required.

Procedure Code	Description
A0130	Wheelchair Van Transportation (1-Way)
A0424	Attendant
A0425	Each Mile (after the first ten)