AB122: Bill Text

LRB-1472/1

RLR:kjf:rs

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly BILL 122

February 22, 2005 - Introduced by Representatives Friske, Ainsworth, Hundertmark, Kerkman, Gunderson, Albers, Vos, Hines, Mursau, Hahn, Musser and Ballweg, cosponsored by Senators Roessler, Grothman and Breske. Referred to Committee on Health.

AB122,1,2 An Act to create 49.45 (3) (m) of the statutes; relating to: Medical Assistance reimbursement for transportation by specialized medical vehicle.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, transportation by specialized medical vehicle (SMV) to obtain medical care is a benefit under Medical Assistance (MA). The benefit is available to MA recipients who have a chronic physical disability that necessitates use of an aid such as a wheelchair, walker, or crutches, to recipients who have a mental impairment that contraindicates transportation by common carrier, and to recipients who are blind. SMV transportation services must be provided in a vehicle that is equipped to accommodate a wheelchair regardless of whether the MA recipient uses a wheelchair.

This bill eliminates the MA requirement that all SMV transportation services be provided in a vehicle that is equipped to accommodate a wheelchair. The bill requires that, to be certified as an MA provider of SMV transportation services, a provider have at least one vehicle that is equipped to accommodate a wheelchair. If an MA-certified provider uses two or more vehicles to provide SMV transportation services, at least two of the vehicles must be equipped to accommodate a wheelchair and any third or additional vehicle must be a vehicle that can be converted to accommodate a wheelchair. The bill requires MA reimbursement for SMV transportation services provided in a vehicle that is not equipped to accommodate a wheelchair if the person being transported does not use a wheelchair. Finally, the bill requires that the MA reimbursement rate for SMV transportation services provided in a vehicle that is not equipped to accommodate a wheelchair be the same as for services provided in a vehicle that is so equipped.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB122, s. 1 Section 1. 49.45 (3) (m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB122,2,18 49.45 (3) (m) To be certified under sub. (2) (a) 11. to provide transportation by specialized medical vehicle, a person must have at least one human service vehicle, as defined in s. 340.01 (23g), that satisfies the requirements imposed under s. 110.05 for a vehicle that is used to transport a person in a wheelchair. If a certified provider uses 2 or more vehicles to provide transportation by specialized medical vehicle, at least 2 of the vehicles must be human service vehicles that satisfy the requirements imposed under s. 110.05 for a vehicle that is used to transport a person in a wheelchair, and any 3rd or additional vehicle must be a human service vehicle to which the equipment required under s. 110.05 for transporting a person in a wheelchair may be added. The department shall pay for transportation by specialized medical vehicle under s. 49.46 (2) (b) 3. that is provided in a human service vehicle that is not equipped to transport a person in a wheelchair if the person being transported does not use a wheelchair. The reimbursement rate for transportation by specialized medical vehicle provided in a vehicle that is not equipped to accommodate a wheelchair shall be the same as for transportation by specialized medical vehicle provided in a vehicle that is equipped to accommodate a wheelchair.

AB122,2,19 (End)