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HealthTran

An Effective Practice

Description

HealthTran is a project of the Missouri Rural Health Association in partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Center for Mobility Management. HealthTran began in 2013 and services 10 rural counties in South Central Missouri. Rural areas in southern Missouri lack full-time adequate numbers of healthcare providers; therefore, individuals seeking care must be able to drive or travel several miles from their hometown to access care. Transportation has been a barrier to healthcare access in rural Missouri. Approximately 25% of missed appointments are transportation-related, causing an average loss of $544,500 in revenue for a provider that sees an average of 22 patients per day. HealthTran rides are made to be affordable, averaging $3 for a local trip, to $81-150 round-trip for specialty services. All costs are dependent upon the trip's distance. Those who benefit from the service are mainly elderly, disabled and/or Medicare/Medicaid dually eligible patients who are referred to HealthTran by a medical provider.

Goal / Mission

To provide transportation to patients in South Central Missouri who otherwise have non-existent, limited, or expensive transportation options to and from healthcare appointments.

Impact

HealthTran has helped to improve healthcare access and long-term health outcomes, as well as reduced preventable hospitalizations and unnecessary emergency department visits.

Results / Accomplishments

In the first 17 months, HealthTran provided 2,470 rides for patients receiving services. Transportation costs totaled just over $66,000, and when including staffing, the total cost of coordinating and paying for the program was approximately $95,000, an average of $33 per ride. These patients resulted in over $730,000 in payments to the hospital and its clinics. In short, for every $1 invested in transportation, the hospital earned $7.68 in reimbursement.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA)
Primary Contact
Mary Gordon
2412 Hyde Park Road, Suite B.
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573-632-2700
mgordon@cabllc.com
https://healthtranrides.org
Topics
Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Community / Transportation
Organization(s)
Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA)
Date of implementation
2013
Geographic Type
Rural
Location
Jefferson City, Missouri
For more details
Target Audience
Older Adults