Provider Notice issued 04/01/08

Safety Training Certification Requirement

As required under Public Act 095-0501, effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2008, drivers and employee attendants of medicar and service car providers who transport participants of the department’s Medical Assistance programs must have completed a safety training program approved by the department. The department recently filed administrative rules on the safety training requirement.

The safety training certification will be required every three years. Medicar and service car providers will be required to maintain documentation of their driver and employee attendant certifications. Failure to produce the documentation upon request from the department shall result in recovery of all payments made by the department for services rendered by a non-certified driver or attendant.

Medicar and service car providers receiving federal funding under 49 U.S.C. 5307 or 5311, are not subject to the safety training program certification requirement during the period of federal funding. Documentation of the federal funding period must be made available to the department upon request.

The department has approved three safety training programs. All of the programs offer a Train-the-Trainer format, which will allow you to have designated staff trained to give the safety training to staff at your location. The approved safety training program, however, will issue all certifications. Providers should contact the training safety program to obtain information on training schedules, locations and costs.

The approved safety training programs are:

MedicarSafety

Offering both classroom and Train-the-Trainer session.

Contact: Jimmie Hamp

Telephone: 773-726-3466

E-mail: MedicarSafety

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Offering Train-the-Trainer sessions.

Contact: Dale O. Ritzel

Telephone: 618-453-3320

First Transit, Inc.

Offering Train-the-Trainer sessions.

Contact: Tom Irvin

Telephone: 630-873-1390

E-mail: First Transit

If you have any questions regarding the safety training program requirement, please contact the Bureau of Comprehensive Health Services at 217-524-7143.

Theresa A. Eagleson, Administrator

Division of Medical Programs