Provider Notice Issued 11/16/2023

Date:     November 16, 2023

To:      All Non-Emergency Transportation Providers

Re:      Reminder - Additional Passenger Policy

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This notice reminds non-emergency transportation providers of the policy that allows an additional passenger or passengers to travel with a Medicaid customer being transported to a medically necessary appointment via Medicar, service car or taxi.

A passenger is not the same as an attendant. A passenger is simply an individual who is traveling with the Medicaid customer. This passenger may be a family member (mother, father, grandparent, sibling, etc.) or another non-related individual. Additional passenger(s), that may or may not be Medicaid eligible, have always had and continue to have the ability to travel along with a Medicaid-eligible member if the transportation provider is aware of the additional passenger(s) and all safety measures are in place, i.e., enough room, seatbelts, car seats, etc.

The transportation provider may not charge extra for the additional passenger(s) as this is a courtesy to our customers. According to Chapter 200 – Transportation Handbook, when more than one passenger is transported in the same vehicle for any portion of a trip, the transportation provider may only charge mileage for the first passenger.

However, the use of an attendant in the transport via medicar, service car, or taxi is a covered service when medically indicated. The transportation provider may charge for an attendant.

According to Chapter 200 – Transportation Handbook, an employee attendant is defined as a person, other than the driver, who is an employee of a Medicar, service car, or taxi. A non-employee attendant is defined as a family member or other individual who may accompany the customer when there is a medical need for an attendant. The use of an employee or non-employee attendant for transport is subject to the Department’s transportation prior authorization process and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Questions concerning this policy may be directed to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at HFS.Transportation@illinois.gov, 877-782-5565 or the applicable HealthChoice Illinois (HCI) managed care organization (MCO).

Kelly Cunningham, Administrator
Division of Medical Programs