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Board hears multiple transportation briefings for Medi‑Cal recipients, seniors and people with disabilities
Summary
Presenters from Partnership HealthPlan, Kaiser Permanente, Molly’s Angels and the Napa Valley Transportation Authority summarized medical and nonmedical transportation benefits for Medi‑Cal members, volunteer rides for older adults, paratransit and new rider supports; members discussed utilization and outreach.
The Behavioral Health Board heard a series of presentations on June 10 about transportation services for Medi‑Cal beneficiaries, older adults and people with disabilities.
Brandi Walker, Manager of Transportation at Partnership HealthPlan, reviewed covered benefits including emergency medical transportation, non‑emergency medical transportation (NEMT), nonmedical transportation (NMT), gas‑mileage reimbursement and travel‑related expense reimbursements. She highlighted new features for members, including text notifications and a member transportation app, and encouraged referrals to Partnership HealthPlan for coordination.
Tamar Kurlaender of Kaiser Permanente told the Board that "transportation benefits are available for Medi‑Cal‑covered services, including medical, dental, and behavioral health appointments," and reviewed eligibility and scheduling options for NMT and NEMT and mileage reimbursement.
Devereaux Smith described Molly’s Angels’ volunteer model providing free rides, paratransit services and social engagement for adults 60 and older — services that members said help reduce isolation and increase access to appointments. Dexter Cypress of the Napa Valley Transportation Authority described Vine Transit fixed‑route services, Vine Go paratransit, community shuttles, taxi voucher programs and reduced‑fare programs, and announced the upcoming Seniors Against Financial Exploitation (SAFE) Conference at Napa Valley College.
Board members discussed utilization, member education and reimbursement processes and were encouraged to help raise awareness of available resources.
