Anyone who has put off getting vision care knows it can make every day a little more challenging. That was the case for Debra Chaney, who got the chance to receive a free eye exam and stylish red glasses (her favorite color) this summer thanks to Sunflower Health Plan and SafeRide Health.
Chaney, who lives in Horton, Kansas, attended Sunflower’s free “Sunday Funday” event in Hiawatha, Kansas, which provided needed healthcare services to its rural members in the area—with some fun thrown in. The health plan’s Vision Van showed up to offer free vision services, Hy-Vee gave away free produce, employees handed out valuable health information, and people had the chance to win door prizes. Events like these bring care closer to members and educate them about services they might not know exist, said Maria Salas, Director of Health Equity at Sunflower Health Plan.
Chaney, 65, is one of those members. “It’s been a really long time since I had glasses or a proper eye exam,” she said. “I came today because I needed glasses, and I’m so thankful this was offered.” In addition to getting her glasses, Chaney said she enjoyed her time connecting with the Sunflower team and even had a little fun with Sunny, the health plan’s mascot, who “made her day.”
A Ride When It’s Needed
Debra Chaney didn’t have a way to get to the health fair at first, but she was able to attend thanks to the non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) provided by Sunflower and SafeRide Health. Sunflower Health Plan worked with SafeRide to book her ride and get her to her eye exam safely and on time.
Chaney said Sunflower’s NEMT Manager, Samuel Goldsmith, has assisted her with her rides to and from appointments and has made it easier for her to get the care she needs. “He’s always been so helpful,” she said. “Sunflower makes things easy.”
Non-emergency medical transportation is a service that offers rides to people so they can attend medical appointments when they don’t have any other way to get there, and they don’t need an ambulance or emergency response. Chaney isn’t alone in needing help with her medical transportation needs: Research shows that transportation barriers are responsible for up to a quarter of all missed medical appointments. That’s why NEMT is a crucial covered benefit.
NEMT Flexibility for Better Outcomes
While different plans have different rules for using your NEMT benefit, they are all designed to get you to care if you have no other transportation options. In addition to providing rides with transportation companies, some plans, like Sunflower, cover gas mileage reimbursement (GMR). If someone wants to drive themselves to their healthcare appointments, or have a loved one do so, that can also be part of NEMT service. Payment for gas mileage is then reimbursed to the driver.
Typically, the driver must register with the state, managed care organization, or the NEMT broker handling transportation, ensuring that they have the proper state credentials to drive members, including a valid driver’s license. GMR ensures that patients have options, and that volunteer drivers and caregivers, who can be overwhelmed with responsibilities, are reimbursed for their efforts to get their friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors to their medical appointments or other health-related resources.
GMR can also be a valuable resource for patients who live in remote areas, where there are fewer eligible transportation providers and no rideshare options available. The ultimate goal is to keep people healthy and thriving, whether that’s by attending appointments with their primary care provider, successfully managing their chronic conditions, or getting a ride to the optometrist for an eye exam and fresh pair of red glasses.
Find out more details about using Sunflower’s transportation here, and get additional information about receiving SafeRide Health services here.