CT HB06414

Repeals and replaces Section 17b-276 of the general statutes effective July 1, 2013, governing nonemergency medical transportation services for Medicaid recipients.

Requires the Commissioner of Social Services to identify geographic areas where competitive bidding for nonemergency transportation services would save the state money and establish contracts through a competitive bidding process, in consultation with the Commissioners of Transportation and Public Health and the Secretary of Policy and Management.

Transportation service providers must meet state licensure or certification requirements and department standards; coordination contractors are exempt from these requirements; initial contracts shall not exceed one year.

Establishes that the Department of Social Services is the sole state agency setting emergency and nonemergency medical transportation fees for Medicaid programs and reduces emergency ambulance reimbursement rates by no more than ten percent effective July 1, 2011.

Requires the Commissioner to seek a federal Medicaid waiver to reimburse nonemergency transportation providers at fifty percent of the prevailing rate when Medicaid recipients fail to appear for scheduled pick-up appointments.