An elderly stroke victim claims she's been stood up more than once by subcontractors paid by the state to transport medicaid patients to doctor appointments.
Carrie Howard of Bellevue said she has waited nine times for rides but the providers didn''t show up. Howard said, "It's serious when I miss appointments because they need to be checking me."
Access2Care officials said they book rides for Medicaid patients but its up to subcontractor providers to follow through. A company spokesman said any no shows will be investigated.
The company said there is a shortage of ride providers serving Sarpy county. Only two at this time will accept ride calls to Bellevue and Papillion. Access2Care said a third provider applied but the Nebraska Public Service Commission denied the application. Commission member Ann Boyle said that provider from Lincoln couldn't prove it can adequately service that community let alone expand into the Omaha metro area.
The PSC has jurisdiction over rider providers and will look into Carrie Howard's complaints. So will Nebraska Health and Human Services.
Howard said she has felt stood up waiting for rides paid by taxpayers that never came.
