wa state transportation brokerage services – model for mobility management christie scheffer,...

WA State Transportation Brokerage Services –

Model for Mobility Management

Christie Scheffer, EVP/COO

Paratransit Services

PARATRANSIT SERVICES

Private, Non-profit since 1980 – specializes in transportation call centers, Medicaid brokerages, and public transit operations in California, Washington and Oregon.

Piloting Broker in WA State – Currently provide brokerage services for 9 counties, brokering over 1 million trips per year.

What Is A Transportation Broker

A firm that specializes in:

– arranging and monitoring transportation services for individuals with special needs while ensuring funders regulatory requirements are being met.

The WA State Brokerage System The system was established in 1988 by DSHS to Broker

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

The Brokerage System is a state-wide system with 6 Brokerages providing services to 13 regions.

In 2002, DSHS added Interpreter Services

Subcontracts with an established network of providers.

Provides Rural and Urban transportation.

WA State - Persons/Sq. Mile

Medical Assistance Administration Transportation Brokers

Garfield

Pend Oreille

Spokane

Walla Walla Asotin

Columbia

Stevens

Whitman

Ferry

Lincoln

Franklin

Adams

Douglas

Grant

Benton

Yakima

Klickitat

Chelan

WhatcomOkanogan

Skagit

King

Kittitas

Snohomish

Lewis

Pierce

Skamania

Clallam

Clark

Cowlitz

Thurston

Mason

Pacific

Jefferson

Grays Harbor

Island

San Juan

Wahkiakum

Kitsap

Note: Mason County is divided, with the Northern half in Region 5 and the Southern half in Region 6.

Region 3A

Region 6ARegion 1A

Region 1D

Region 1B

Region 1D

Region 1C

Region 2

Region 3B

Region 4

Region 6C

Region 5

Region 6B

As of January 1, 2011

NEMT Pyramid

4 Full-Time DSHS/MAA Managers

Average “Internal” Cost: Less Than $0.25/Trip

6 Independent Brokers Serve 13 Regions Statewide

Average “Administrative” Contract Cost: About $3.05/Trip

165+ Subcontractors & 26 Transit Agencies Provide Trips Using 6,000 Vehicles

Average “Service” Contract Cost: About $17.01/Trip

Clients currently receiving 2.9 Million Trips/Year: That’s About 11,155 Trips/Day – EVERY DAY!

Total Contract Cost: About $20/Trip

What Does A Transportation Broker Provide

Ensures adequate resources are available Matches client need with lowest cost, most

appropriate resource Ensures cost efficiency Ensures system safety Ensures Regulatory Compliance (local,

state, federal, etc.)

Call/Contact Center: Eligibility screening, Reservations, Scheduling and Dispatch

Contract Administration

Quality Assurance

Billing and Auditing

Driver Training and Drug & Alcohol Consortium services

Brokerage services include:

Matches client need with available resources

Available resources include but not limited to:– Bus passes– Mileage Reimbursement and Fuel Cards– Sedans and Vans– Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles– Volunteer Networks– Lodging and Meals; Commercial bus, air, train

Ensures Cost Efficiency

Finds lowest cost most appropriate mode of service

Share rides to eliminate duplication of services

Creates competition between transportation companies to ensure best cost solutions

Fraud prevention protocols

Ensures System Safety

Operator and Pre-Employment Standards Training Standards Vehicle Standards Service Standards Reporting Standards Insurance Requirements Rider Standards

Technological support Online Trip Request, trip check and cancel

IVR system – calls with next day trip reminder

Online Transportation Provider Net – – Receive trip information online– Perform Billing online

Online request for Interpreter Services and other programs

Scheduling Software and phone system

Once the Brokerage is established, other services can now be added!

Interpreter Services

McKinney Vento Transportation

Beyond the Borders

Other types of Coordination

Interpreter Services Established in 2002

Medical Providers contact Brokerage for IS

Broker contracts with IS Agencies

Projected to save $8 million in first 2 years. Real savings- $8 million in first 6 months

Currently saving $1 mil. per mo

McKinney Vento Transportation The No Child Left Behind Act – unfunded mandate

Project Partners: Paratransit Services, one other WA State Brokerage, six school districts and PSESD.

The School Districts contact the Brokerage for their county, and refer students for transportation. Created significant administrative efficiencies.

Beyond the Borders Project Partners: Pierce Transit, Paratransit Services,

and Pierce County Community Services.

Funds: Special Needs, JARC and Community Development Block grant funds

Connect people who live outside of the transit boundary to essential services by bringing them into the transit service area, using Broker Transportation Providers to transport to the nearest Park & Ride.

Other Types of Coordination

Tribal connections – 2 examples– Feeder route– Tribal Transportation Providers

Major Urban Medical Center – onsite Mobility Management Kiosk

Volunteer center

Sponsor-A-Ride (donation system)

Veterans Project (allow Veterans to piggy-back existing DSHS trips) (goal is to turn this into a rural shuttle)

Caregiver Transport

Meal Site

Rural Medical Shuttle – Partners: DOT grant, Medicaid, Medical Partner and transit funding (gen. public may ride/min.$)

Gorge Translink- 5 counties/2 states – coordinates transport along 200 mile corridor in OR and WA

Brokerage Model Benefits

Provides infrastructure to coordinate a variety of services

Ensures adequate resources are available (transportation providers or Interpreters)

Matches client need with available resources

Ensures cost efficiency

Ensures system safety

Ensures Regulatory Compliance (local, state, federal, etc.)

Continues to expand capacity for mobility management and coordination by leveraging resources of various funders.

Benefits to the Users

Contact:

Christie Scheffer, EVP/COO

Paratransit Services

cls@paratransit.net