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In York County, Virginia, transportation options for individuals with disabilities or in need of non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) range from personally owned to public transit such as bus or taxi; however, our focus is on the services provided by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) and the Peninsula Agency on Aging (PAA). DMAS offers
NEMT services for Medicaid-covered appointments coordinated through Modivcare, which includes various transportation modes such as taxis, wheelchair vans, and stretcher services (Virginia Medicaid, n.d.). The PAA provides transportation services for individuals aged 60 and over without access to public transit or private transportation, with reservations required for weekday appointments (PAA, Inc., n.d.).
Several key stakeholders are involved in meeting our client's transportation needs. Firstly,
the primary client, who has expressed her challenges with accessing transportation to attend therapy sessions due to unreliable services. The therapist, who serves as an advocate for the client and their well-being, recommends regular therapy sessions and highlights the importance of reliable transportation for the client's mental health stability. The transportation company and its drivers bear responsibility for providing non-emergency medical transportation services and ensuring timely and dependable transportation for the client. Federal, state, and local funding organizations oversee transportation programs and allocate resources to meet transportation needs effectively. Though not directly involved in the transportation service, friends and family may offer occasional rides and are invested in the well-being of their friends or family members. Additionally, community advocacy groups may also advocate for systemic improvements to address transportation barriers faced by individuals with disabilities and mental health needs.
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