Non-Emergency Transportation Program
The Arkansas Medicaid non-emergency transportation (NET) program provides eligible Medicaid beneficiaries with transportation to the nearest qualified Medicaid provider. Beneficiaries who are ineligible for this service include nursing home facility residents, qualified Medicare beneficiaries (QMB) and ARKids First recipients. Transportation is provided only to and from Medicaid covered services. No co-payments are required, and there are no limits on the number of trips and no mileage caps.
NET is provided through Division of Medical Services (DMS) contracts with 12 transportation brokers (one per geographic region). The brokers are paid a flat rate based on the number of qualified beneficiaries in the region. The brokers can also contract with qualified subcontractors in their areas and serve as a gatekeeper, processing transportation requests and monitoring complaints to ensure quality. DMS will conduct periodic on-site broker reviews for quality assurance.
What are the beneficiaries' responsibilities?
Beneficiaries must:
- Contact the broker directly to schedule transportation.
- Give the broker 48-hour notice.
- Provide proof of eligibility (Medicaid ID).
- Reside in the brokers region
- Be ready when transportation arrives (provider is not required to wait more than five minutes).
What are the brokers' responsibilities?
Brokers must:
- Operate Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except state holidays.
- Provide a toll-free phone number.
- Notify recipients of pick-up time when the transportation appointment is made.
- Arrive on time for scheduled pick ups.
- Notify the beneficiary and the Medicaid provider in case of pick-up delays.
What is the MMCS Transportation Helpline?
The toll-free MMCS Transportation Helpline (1-888-987-1200) takes beneficiaries' questions, comments, complaints and suggestions about the NET program. The Helpline is not designed to arrange transportation; beneficiaries should call their local Medicaid transportation broker 48 hours before their doctor's appointment.
What is Medicaid Managed Care Services (MMCS)?
Medicaid Managed Care Services (MMCS) is a division of AFMC. MMCS provides external quality review, utilization management and other services for Arkansas Medicaid's ConnectCare, ARKids First and other waived managed care programs.