Transportation Brokerage
Transportation Brokerage Overview
Welcome to our overview page on Transportation brokerages. It will help the reader to better understand what these are all about by explaining the various aspects and providing useful information into the whole picture.
The state agencies, certain health plans and many other human and non-human service transport providers turn to transportation brokerage as a viable alternative to less well organized fee-for-service and any-willing-provider transportat programs. In contrats to these systems, the idea of the brokerage is built concerning containing cost, guaraneeing appropriate levels of service and providing consistency in service quality. Transportation brokerages promote greater accountability and better data management, thereby reducing abuse, fraud and waste.
What Does a Transportation Brokerage Do?
A transportation broker does not typically operate any vehicles. As a result, they don't make decisions based on enhancing revenue at service level. Brokers base their decisions on the most appropriate service for the client/recipient.
Brokers contract local transportation providers in order to create a transportation network. Transportation companies have to undergo credentialing processes which verifies that they are correctly insured and their drivers and vehicles all meet the necessary quality standards.
Brokers operate call centers centrally that clients or their healthcare providers can call in order to request their services.
Brokers educate clients about the transportation services that are available and how best to access them easily.
Call center professionals are highly trained and act as "gatekeepers". They do this by verifying that anyone requesting non-emergency transport are eligible either under the terms of their health plan or other program.
Call center professionals will always ensure that each eligible client is transported to the correct covered medical service using the most appropriate and least-costly method of transportation. This may include public transit, wheelchair van, sedan or stretcher if needed.
A reponsibility of the broker will be to compensate the transportation providers and confirming that invoices match the provided trips, before issuing payment.
Total system oversight is provided by the brokerage. This includes vehicle inspections, eligibility screening, scheduling, driver certifications and invoicing/payment. This ensures uniform and quality service and access to healthcare.
What Benefits Does a Transportation Brokerage Provide?
Transportation brokers operate under a structure of capitated rate. The broker is therefore paid a regular flat fee for which health plans and agencies are guaranteed a predictable budget. They control costs of medical transportation, reduce any abuses and ensure all clients have access to necessary healthcare. In contrast to transportation companies, no incentive exists for a broker to make use of expensive vehicle options which would increase costs per trip.
The system of brokerages maximizes the most economical modes of transportation as well as utilizing whatever transportation resources are available. This includes public transit and non-profit agencies. Efficiencies within the contracted network of providers are also ensured by the brokerage.
Brokers enforce all requirements of eligibility. They also establish a very high standard of service. These measures ensure a far greater level of accountability. This results in reduced fraud and abuse. It also results in better quality of service as well as better economy for the agencies and health plans.
Transportation brokers provide an administrative oversight as well as highly robust data reporting which is available for all of their clients.
Transportation Brokerage
