Updated Interim COVID19 Guidance for Transportation Managers and Brokers

  • Guidance is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF)

March 21, 2020

Revised: September 14, 2021

Dear Transportation Managers and Brokers (MLTC):

The purpose of this letter is to provide revised guidance from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). This guidance recognizes that the federally declared Public Health Emergency remains in effect and provides ongoing recommendations to support the health and safety of those served by our Medicaid transportation providers.

It is important for all agencies to keep apprised of current guidance by regularly visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NYSDOH websites, as well as the NYSDOH Health Commerce System (HCS), for the most up-to-date information for healthcare providers.

Transportation Guidance

To ensure that Medicaid enrollees are transported to medical appointments during the state disaster emergency, transportation managers and transportation providers shall:

  • Waive the 72-hour rule for enrollees requesting urgent trips for COVID-19 related symptoms;
  • Federal CDC guidelines will remain in effect, which recommend that all individuals, including staff and the driver, wear face coverings at all times in the vehicle. Social distancing must be maintained for individuals who cannot tolerate wearing a mask and, when possible, such individuals should be transported alone or with members of the same household. Staff who cannot medically tolerate the use of a face covering should not be assigned to transport individuals at this time.
  • After each trip is completed, the interior of the vehicle should be thoroughly cleaned before additional individuals are transported (see attached Vehicle Cleaning Guidance Document).
  • Where appropriate and safe, windows should be rolled down to permit air flow and/or the air ventilation/air conditioning should be set to non-recirculation mode.

The Department will also waive the Form 2015 for taxi level trips when:

  • Enrollees are symptomatic consistent with COVID-19 or were exposed to COVID-19.

Transportation Access

If any providers, plans, or consumers experience access issues or are refused a ride, please contact the Bureau of Medicaid Transportation at (518) 473-2160 or medtrans@health.ny.gov.

Managed Long Term Care questions should be addressed to the member's plan. Please contact (866) 712-7197 or mltctac@health.ny.gov for additional assistance as needed.

For additional information: