January 14, 2009

Senior shuttle service expands

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Expanded shuttle use will pay

Senior shuttle service has been expanded in Granville to include Medicaid patients village officials said Monday night.

Mayor Jay Niles told the village board Granville Senior Shuttle service will expand to take over a service formerly provided by the Washington County Department of Social Services Medical Trans Department.

Niles said a car was sent by the county to pick up Medicaid patients in the town and take them to medical appointments in the village.

Niles told the board the shuttle will begin taking over that task as soon as the following Monday, Jan. 12.

“They provide transportation for Medicaid eligible seniors for appointments at doctor’s offices in Granville. What we would be doing is assuming that service for the town of Granville,” Niles said.

Niles said the shuttle service would receive a listing of passengers who need transportation each week and at the end of the month, submit a form for reimbursement. Niles said the county would be paying 32 cents per mile round trip from the patient’s residence to the doctor and back home.

The idea originated with Sen. Betty Little, Niles said. When the two met to discuss avenues to help keep the shuttle service running, Niles said she suggested contacting the county and looking into performing Medicaid transportation services.

“What I did was talk with her chief aid an asked if this was an appropriate thing to do with the shuttle, and she said it was,” Niles said.

Niles said the patrons who already use the shuttle and qualify for the assistance can bring the reimbursement money and he hopes to see those who use the Medicaid service turn around to use the shuttle for their other needs as the van was intended to do.

“We’re very, very excited to open up this service to another group of people,” he said.