Commissioners approve $2.57 million for Medicaid transportation and contract with ACTs

Lawrence County commissioners on June 2 approved two related items to support transportation for Medicaid-eligible residents: Resolution 109 accepting $2,568,537 for the Medical Assistance Transportation (MAT) program and Resolution 110 authorizing an agreement with Allied Coordinated Transportation Services (ACTs, also referred to as Axe).

Vanessa Lovely, representing Lawrence County Social Services (transcript states Morris County Social Services; county materials and the speaker identified the service as administered for Lawrence County), said the county is designated the program administrator and that the Department of Human Services application submitted in April was approved for $2,568,537. She said the program’s cost-per-trip passed through to the county would be $36.40 and that the county expects roughly 70,000 trips serving about 1,500 unduplicated Lawrence County residents.

Vanessa described transportation modes used under the program — public transit tickets, mileage reimbursements when private vehicles are available, scheduled transit and, for urgent wheelchair transport, contracted providers. She said higher-cost out-of-county foster transports are charged differently.

Donald Andrews and Vanessa explained Res. 110 would formalize services with ACTs/Axe. ACTs offers tiered services, including regular public trips billed by mileage and specialized transports (for example, a cited $44/hour rate for out-of-county foster children). Commissioners asked clarifying questions about rates and usage; both resolutions were moved, seconded and approved by roll call (Sonado — yes; Kennedy — yes; Vogler — yes).

The county will implement the MAT funding through Lawrence County Social Services and purchase ACTs services as needed according to departmental discretion. The county did not detail the contract term or contingencies in the meeting record.