Farmington Hills, Mich. \u2013 An Oakland County man with disabilities said he just needs to get to his doctor\u2019s appointments, but medical transportation is failing him.<\/p>\n
Joshua Taylor, of Farmington Hills, relies on a powered wheelchair and cannot drive because of a connective tissue disorder.<\/p>\n
Under his Priority Health Medicaid plan, he said he is required to use SafeRide, a medical transportation company.<\/p>\n
According to its website, it takes patients to the right care at the right time.<\/p>\n
But Taylor said the rides he books through SafeRide are frequently canceled at the last minute, or a van arrives that simply can\u2019t accommodate his specialized wheelchair.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have not been able to get to a lot of my appointments trying to use SafeRide,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n
He also said that once a ride picked him up and dropped him off at an appointment on time. \u201cI thought it was getting better,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n
But then didn\u2019t return to get him.<\/p>\n
When it comes to canceled rides or vans that don\u2019t fit him, Taylor misses appointments he considers critical to managing his chronic illness.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sit, and you wait for some of these appointments, and when you\u2019re chronically ill, some of these appointments are what you hope to be the answer for, what you hope is going to bring you relief,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cWhat you hope is going to make sure you\u2019re no longer in pain. It\u2019s what you hope brings your life back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taylor said the repeated cancellations and equipment issues have left him in tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople like me don\u2019t have options,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n
On a fixed income, Taylor says paying out-of-pocket for private transportation can \u201cbreak the bank,\u201d especially when he needs frequent medical visits.<\/p>\n
Taylor and his brother have tried to get answers but feel they\u2019ve been bounced back and forth between the transportation company and the insurer.<\/p>\n
According to Taylor, SafeRide representatives told him they contract only with third-party service providers that pick him up and directed him to contact his insurance provider, Priority Health. <\/p>\n
Taylor said reaching someone at Priority Health who can address the issue has been difficult.<\/p>\n
Local 4 reached out to both companies seeking an explanation.<\/p>\n
SafeRide did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n
Priority Health did respond but declined to discuss Taylor\u2019s situation, citing medical privacy rules. A communication person for the company said, \u201cHIPAA laws and member privacy do not allow us to share member information. We hope the member has contacted our Customer Care team to help get the issue resolved.\u201d<\/p>\n
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