Larson Bi-Weekly Report - November 29, 2012

December 1, 2012

Dear Friend,

I hope you enjoyed a great Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. Continue reading for an update on state news, including Wisconsin's decision regarding health care implementation, the cancellation of LogistiCare's contract with the state, and how Wisconsin's hunters fared this season.

Sincerely,
Chris Larson
Office Phone: (608) 266-7505
Toll-free Phone: (800) 361-5487
Email: Sen.Larson@legis.wi.gov
Web Site:
SenatorChrisLarson.com

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LOGISTICARE ENDS CONTRACT WITH STATE
State Senator, District 7

On November 21, 2012, the Department of Health Services (DHS) alerted the Legislature that LogistiCare would be ending its contract with the state. LogistiCare, a company based out of Atlanta, Georgia, contracted with the state to manage and provide non-emergency medical transportation services for neighbors that rely on our health safety net programs, such as Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus. According to the letter submitted by LogistiCare to DHS, the company will no longer be responsible for providing these vital transportation services as of February 18, 2013. DHS is currently in the process of issuing a new Request for Proposal, which enables them to hear bids and select a new business with which to contract.

While the termination of this contract was not necessarily foreseen, it is not surprising given the problems that have plagued LogistiCare, which replaced the county-based system used in the past. One of the most common complaints neighbors raise about LogistiCare is the wait-time to schedule a ride for upcoming doctor and hospital visits. LogistiCare's contract states that the average daily hold times cannot be longer than two minutes on both the scheduling line and the "Where's My Ride" line combined. According to recent Journal Sentinel analysis, LogistiCare has met that standard only 32% of the time since September 1, and on only three weekdays. Additionally, many patients have reported waiting over an hour to schedule a future ride, return ride, or complain about a ride not showing up. Some have also questioned whether the long hold times may have contributed to LogistiCare now receiving 40% fewer calls than it did in early September.

Wisconsinites that rely on LogistiCare, medical professionals, and advocates have also raised concerns about LogistiCare's unreliability with getting passengers to their appointments. Some patients have notified DHS that despite arranging rides to appointments through LogistiCare well in advance, the company failed to pick them up and take them to their appointment. As a result, the health and safety of patients using this safety net have been jeopardized.

Things had gotten so bad that despite contracting with the state for less than two years, Wisconsin legislators, including myself, were already calling for the Legislative Audit Committee to approve a nonpartisan audit of LogistiCare to determine if it was ever fulfilling its contract goals and how services could be improved for Wisconsinites that rely on LogistiCare for medical transport.

While this contract change will likely be a welcome one for those familiar with LogistiCare, I hope DHS takes seriously the need to select a new provider that will not only be able to provide a service at a rate Wisconsin can afford, but also to improve the quality of services our family, friends, and neighbors need.

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