Medical Transportation Failures Leave Michigan Man with Disabilities Stranded
Farmington Hills, Mich. – A Farmington Hills man with disabilities is facing significant challenges accessing necessary medical care due to repeated failures in his insurance-covered medical transportation. Joshua Taylor, who relies on a powered wheelchair due to a connective tissue disorder, has missed nearly a dozen doctor’s appointments this year as a result of these issues.
Reliance on SafeRide and Priority Health Medicaid
Under his Priority Health Medicaid plan, Taylor is required to utilize SafeRide, a medical transportation company. SafeRide’s website states its mission is to gain patients to the right care at the right time. Yet, Taylor reports frequent cancellations of booked rides and instances of vans arriving that are unable to accommodate his specialized wheelchair.
The Impact of Missed Appointments
“I have not been able to get to a lot of my appointments trying to apply SafeRide,” Taylor stated. He recounts a situation where a ride arrived on time for one appointment, leading him to believe the situation was improving, only for the ride to not return to pick him up. These disruptions are particularly concerning as the missed appointments are critical for managing his chronic illness.
“You sit, and you wait for some of these appointments, and when you’re chronically ill, some of these appointments are what you hope to be the answer for, what you hope is going to bring you relief,” Taylor explained. “What you hope is going to make sure you’re no longer in pain. It’s what you hope brings your life back to you.”
Financial Strain and Lack of Options
Taylor expressed the emotional toll of these repeated issues, stating the cancellations and equipment problems have left him in tears. He also highlighted the financial burden, noting that paying out-of-pocket for private transportation is often unaffordable, especially with frequent medical needs. “People like me don’t have options,” he said.
Challenges in Resolving the Issue
Taylor and his brother have attempted to resolve the problems by contacting both SafeRide and Priority Health, but report being passed between the two entities. According to Taylor, SafeRide representatives directed him to contact his insurance provider, Priority Health, stating they contract only with third-party service providers. Taylor also stated that reaching someone at Priority Health who can address the issue has been difficult.
Company Responses
Local 4 reached out to both SafeRide and Priority Health for comment. SafeRide did not respond to requests for comment. Priority Health responded but declined to discuss Taylor’s specific situation, citing medical privacy rules (HIPAA). A company spokesperson stated, “HIPAA 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.”
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