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State's transportation manager still struggles to get people to doctor's appointments

Posted at 10:47 AM, Jun 29, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-29 10:47:07-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- People all across the state are still struggling to get to their doctor's appointments as the new system, Southeastrans, nears one month of service in Indiana.

Southeastrans has been in service in Indiana since June 1 to coordinate all non-emergency rides for the 200,000 Hoosiers on Medicaid, some of the most vulnerable families in the state. 

Cheree Ridzon of Greensburg, Indiana had to arrange her own trip because the system led to multiple missed medical appoints for her son. 

"Not having dependable medical transportation is a big deal for us," Ridzon said. 

Ridzon can't drive because she and her two children are legally blind. She said she never had a problem getting to an appointment until Southeastrans took over the system. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | CALL 6: Medicaid patientscomplainsome rides to doctor visits are no-shows | CALL 6: State agency head apologizes forcancelleddoctors visits | CALL 6: Hoosiers still unable to get to critical medical appointments

One reason people may still be having trouble with the company is due to a 48-hour rule. This rule says that if a ride service cancels a trip within 48 hours, there may not be enough time to arrange a backup ride to the appointment, according to the state. 

To make matters more frustrating, people are even getting confirmation numbers to their ride to appointments, but are left waiting for the ride.

Dana Elm has health issues, and received confirmation numbers from Southeastrans on June 7, 12, and 19. But nobody showed up and nobody called, she said.

Southeastrans says ride providers who fail to do their job are given a chance to address the problem before they're dropped. 

Instead, her daughter had to take her to the appointments. Her daughter missed so many days from taking care of her mother when Southeastrans didn't deliver that she lost her job. 

"Do your job," Elm said. "Be organized, do what you are supposed to do."

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