Nursing Home and Assisted Care Residents can request rides from Alternative Transportation Systems through MART and GATRA
Did you know nursing home and assisted care residents can request Alternative Transportation Systems through MART and GATRA?
If you're wondering whether nursing home and assisted care residents can request Alternative Transportation Systems (ATS) through MART or GATRA, you're in the right place. In this article, you'll learn how to request ATS as your preferred provider, how MassHealth coordinates transportation, and where you can get more information.
Quickly jump to the section you're most interested in:
How does transportation through MART and GATRA work for nursing home residents?
Can residents request Alternative Transportation Systems (ATS) as a preferred provider?
Additional resources for scheduling transportation through MART and GATRA
1. How does transportation through MART and GATRA work for nursing home residents?
MassHealth provides non-emergency medical transportation to eligible Massachusetts nursing home residents. This transportation service is coordinated through Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), primarily MART (Montachusett Regional Transit Authority) and GATRA (Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority). MART and GATRA manage these services through contracted transportation brokers.
Since April 1, 2022, all wheelchair van services covered by MassHealth for nursing home residents must be coordinated through these brokers. Nursing homes and assisted care facilities must submit transportation requests electronically, ensuring residents can attend medical appointments efficiently. Brokers then arrange transportation based on the submitted requests and member eligibility.
Detailed information about the service is available directly from MassHealth or through MART and GATRA websites.
2. Can residents request Alternative Transportation Systems (ATS) as a preferred provider?
Yes. Nursing home and assisted care facility residents can request Alternative Transportation Systems (ATS) as their preferred transportation provider. When scheduling transportation through MART or GATRA brokers, residents or facility administrators should clearly communicate their preference for ATS.
However, it's important to note that while MART and GATRA will strive to accommodate such requests, they depend on provider availability and their network participation. Providers like Modivcare explicitly acknowledge these requests and will accommodate when possible. Therefore, to increase the likelihood of ATS being assigned, communicate your preference early in the scheduling process.
Choosing ATS as a preferred provider helps residents ensure comfort, reliability, and familiarity with their transportation services.
3. How do I submit a PT-1 request form to MassHealth?
To access MassHealth's non-emergency medical transportation, your healthcare provider must submit a Provider Request for Transportation form (PT-1) on your behalf. This form verifies eligibility and confirms the medical necessity for transportation services.
Facility administrators and healthcare providers must submit PT-1 requests electronically to MassHealth. Once approved, MART or GATRA will coordinate transportation arrangements for scheduled medical appointments.
You can find detailed instructions and submit requests through the MassHealth provider portal. The MassHealth website provides extensive guidance to assist providers and facilities through this process, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
4. Additional resources for scheduling transportation through MART and GATRA
Below are essential contacts and resources to help you schedule transportation:
MART Member Services
Provides information on eligibility and ride scheduling for residents in the MART service area. Visit MART Member Services
GATRA Medical Transportation
Offers comprehensive details for residents needing transportation for medical appointments within the GATRA service area. Visit GATRA Medical Transportation
Modivcare
Provides additional information on how brokers handle transportation preferences and network participation. Visit Modivcare
These resources will ensure your transportation arrangements through MART or GATRA meet your specific needs.
Nursing home and assisted care residents can indeed request Alternative Transportation Systems as their preferred provider through MART and GATRA brokers, enhancing their comfort and satisfaction during travel.
