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Rice County approves pass‑through contract to restore transportation billing for Lighthouse clients
Summary
County community services approved a pass‑through contract with Lighthouse Transportation so the county can bill medical insurance for non‑emergent medical transportation on behalf of Lighthouse clients after changes to NEMT billing; staff said the county will not take an administrative fee and will monitor for red flags.
Rice County’s community services staff requested and the board approved a pass‑through contract with Lighthouse Transportation on April 14 to handle non‑emergent medical transportation (NEMT) billing for a small number of Lighthouse clients who can no longer be billed directly by the provider due to recent changes in insurance arrangements.
Community services staff explained the county previously acted as a pass‑through for Lighthouse until 2022, when Lighthouse could bill directly for individuals. Staff said recent legislative and program changes affecting NEMT and PMAP billing left some clients without direct billing pathways; Lighthouse asked the county to reengage as a pass‑through so transportation vendors can be paid and the county can seek reimbursement from clients’ medical insurance.
Staff acknowledged the county does not typically receive an administrative fee for this function and that accounting time is the county’s principal cost. The county will rely on Lighthouse’s lists of individuals needing the service, process payments to Lighthouse, and then recoup costs through insurance billing as allowed by state provider guidance. Commissioners moved and seconded the contract approval and the motion passed by voice vote.
Staff said they will monitor for billing red flags and follow up with Lighthouse’s director if problems arise; the board did not impose additional conditions during the meeting.
