Human Service Transportation

Introduction

The BRTA is one of six Regional Transit Authorities in Massachusetts that broker transportation for consumers of three state agencies; the Department of Medical Assistance (known as MassHealth, DMA or Medicaid), the Department of Public Health (DPH), and the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR). The BRTA provides this service for the thirty-two cities and towns in the Berkshires, as well as the Town of Monroe, under a contract with the Human Service Transportation (HST) Office in Boston. The BRTA has contracts with area service providers and schedules trips with them for DMA consumers. Trips for DPH and DMR consumers are also provided under contract and scheduled in coordination with their respective state agencies.

The BRTA commenced brokerage operations in July 2001 following a successful proposal submittal. During our first year we brokered approximately 80,000 trips. Today there are approximately 95,000 trips annually brokered for all three agencies. The BRTA was again successful in our proposal to continue brokerage operations under a new five-year contract with the HST Office beginning effective July 1, 2007.

Two full time staff members work in our brokerage and provide service to customers during normal business hours. In addition to trip scheduling work, brokerage responsibilities include site inspections of vehicles and drivers, attendance at regional and state-wide meetings with HST and other brokers, oversight of service quality, auditing of vendor invoices, and billing to HST for reimbursement.

Mass health/Medicaid Transportation

This program provides non-emergency Transportation to doctor appointments for Mass Health clients with Standard and CommonHealth coverage who are unable to use public transportation (due to location or a disability).

Transportation is arranged through the BRTA after an approval from Mass health is received. Members work with their doctors to submit PT-1 forms (Prescription for Transportation) to the Mass Health office. The approval process takes three to five days from when Mass Health receives the form. A PT-1 form needs to be completed for EACH location that a client needs transportation to. Additional information and assistance is available by calling the Mass Health Customer Service Center (800) 841-2900 or visit the Mass Health web sites www.mass.gov or www.massresources.org.

In March of 2007, 223 Berkshire County Mass Health clients received over 2000 rides to necessary medical appointments in wheelchair vehicles, livery vehicles and taxi cabs.

DPH/ Early Intervention Transportation

Transportation services are provided for children up to age 3 with developmental difficulties attending any of the three Early Intervention Program sites within Berkshire County. In April 2007, 35 children received 221 rides. Currently 30 to 40 children per month receive 200-275 rides. Anyone interested in this program may learn more by visiting www.mass.gov/dph/ or www.massfamilyties.org.

Department of Mental Retardation Transportation

Transportation services are provided to the six DMR Day Habilitation Programs within the county and several job site locations. Arrangements are made by contacting the consumer's DMR service coordinators. In March 2007: 174 consumers received 2,197 rides, on 34 van routes providing transportation in wheelchair and passenger vans. Anyone interested in this program may learn more by visiting www.mass.gov/dmr/.