Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024
(a) Transportation
services shall be covered under the Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare-Plan A, B, C,
and D programs and the Alternate Benefit Program (ABP) when the following
conditions are met:
1. The clinic is approved
to provide transportation service by the Division to partial care programs
only.
i. Approval by the Division shall not
be granted for the provision of ambulance or mobility assistance vehicle (MAV)
service.
2.
Transportation service to the partial care programs is provided either:
i. By the clinic, in a clinic owned or leased
vehicle; or
ii. By a transportation
company under contract to the clinic, which meets the requirements of
10:49-9.8 and (b) below.
3. The purpose of providing
transportation, one way or round trip, is to enable a Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare or
ABP beneficiary to obtain partial care services.
4. A Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare or ABP
beneficiary is transported:
i. To the clinic,
from the beneficiary's residence or a designated central point; or
ii. From the clinic, to the beneficiary's
residence or a designated central point.
5. The least expensive mode of transportation
suitable to the beneficiary's needs shall be used, as indicated at
N.J.A.C.
10:50-1.6(a).
i. A clinic shall not seek reimbursement from
the Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs for the transport of an individual who
is capable of utilizing an accessible, alternative mode of transportation at a
lesser cost to the Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs, such as a bus pass
provided by the transportation broker for the beneficiary's use.
ii. Prior to seeking reimbursement from the
Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs for a clinic-provided or subcontracted
transportation service, the patient's medical record shall contain
documentation concerning the individual's specific transportation-related
needs, including the reason(s) why an accessible, alternative less-expensive
mode of service is not appropriate.
iii. Following are examples of factors that
may be considered when determining the individual's ability to use an
alternative mode of service: walking distance to/from the points of pick up and
discharge, weather conditions at the time of transport, time of day or night,
safety issues, the patient's need for an escort/attendant, and the patient's
inability to access public transportation.
(b) Each vehicle used by a clinic or its
subcontractor(s) in providing services to a Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare
beneficiary shall be appropriately registered by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle
Commission, in accordance with all applicable laws and rules of the New Jersey
Motor Vehicle Commission, Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, or the New Jersey
Department of Transportation, Title 27 of the Revised Statutes).
1. All applicable Federal and State motor
vehicle laws shall be followed, including laws governing seat belts and infant
car seats.
(c) Each
person (driver) who operates a motor vehicle under the terms of this section
shall possess and have readily available for inspection a current and valid New
Jersey driver's license, as required by Title 39 of the Revised Statutes of New
Jersey.
1. A driver of a commercial motor
vehicle that is designed to transport eight to 15 passengers including the
driver (Group C), and is used for hire, shall possess a commercial driver's
license (CDL) with a passenger endorsement issued by the New Jersey Motor
Vehicle Commission, in accordance with
39:3-10.1 1 and
13:21-23.5;
2. Each driver shall be at least 18 years
old;
4. Each driver shall wear an identification
badge that includes his or her name and the name of the transportation company
or the clinic;
5. Each driver shall
maintain an acceptable standard of personal grooming and behavior in order to
present a neat, clean and professional appearance while providing services to
Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare fee-for-service beneficiaries;
6. Each driver shall assist beneficiaries in
entering and leaving the vehicle by using a step stool if necessary, and shall
provide door-through-door escort and assistance, if necessary, at the
beneficiary's place of departure and destination;
7. Each driver shall supervise the well being
of individuals while in the vehicle to ensure their privacy, comfort, and
appropriate care;
8. Each driver
shall ensure that all vehicle occupants wear automobile safety belts;
9. Each driver shall operate the vehicle in a
safe manner, starting and stopping slowly and smoothly, and complying with all
applicable motor vehicle laws;
10.
Each driver shall ensure that smoking is prohibited within the vehicle at all
times;
11. No person shall be
allowed to operate a vehicle under the terms of this section:
i. While under the influence of intoxicating
liquor or narcotic or habit forming drugs;
ii. In a reckless manner;
iii. At excessive speed; or
iv. While engaging in any illegal
conduct.