Arkansas fines firm $300,000 for Medicaid ride failures

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)   Months after the state of Arkansas fired a company for failing to provide required rides to Medicaid patients, the company hired in its place is being fined more than $300,000 for the same violation.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that state Department of Human Services’ officials told lawmakers the fines were due to 645 trips that Atlanta-based Southeastrans failed to provide in recent months.

In February, Southeastrans took over the contract initially awarded to St. Louis-based Medical Transportation Management to offer nonemergency medical transportation to Medicaid recipients in 32 counties.

Southeastrans chief operating officer Rob Zachrich says its subcontractors have struggled to employ drivers amid the “competitive labor market” in northwestern Arkansas.

Zachrich added Southeastrans expects to have a fleet of 67 vehicles in Arkansas by the end of September.

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