Results from Transportation Survey Southern 38 Counties (Area 4)

What Function Do You Perform?

69.7% Of providers in Southern Minnesota provide regular transportation to passengers that are “eligible” for reimbursement In line with state average (69.8%)

But, how many of those passengers are being reimbursed? Wide range 2% - 100% Unknowns (14) PercentNumber of Respondents

Possible Sources of Funding ICF-MR Waiver Services Rehabilitation Services Medical Assistance Grants Fund Raising Donations County Reimbursement for over 60 and MA rides DTH Medicaid Contracts (Counties and Agencies) Insurance United Way Private Pay Donation Self Pay, Billed Rides Social Security Pre-paid Medical Programs Family Service Agencies Insurance Companies Rehab Services Workforce Centers Workmen’s Comp. Adult Day Care County Human Services

Do you currently have contracts with agencies that reimburse you for the client rides that you provide?

How many respondents do? 69.6% = So. MN 80.8% = State * 11 respondents skipped this question

Which Agencies? Part of host county contract Goodhue Co. Public Health Lyon Co. Rehab Services Western Community Action Counties (in region and out) Cedar Valley Services Inc. UCARE Blue Ride Medica Minnesota Valley Action Council Western Community Action DAC Human Services Family Services PIC County Human Services Social Services EW and AC transportation

If you knew that some of your passengers were eligible for transportation subsidy, would you be interested in participating in a software “billing system” to recoup that available funding?

68.8% * 2 respondents skipped this question

Interest in software by region Area 4: 68.8% Area 3: 69.4% Area 2: 53.8% Area 1: 50.0% South and Metro areas show the most interest

What features would you like to see included? Ease of operation and accuracy Simple as possible – easy to navigate & not too time consuming Direct Deposit Ease of transition/integration with preexisting software Info: ridership, address, daily schedule, map, route All aspects of billing and accounting Simple and easy Reporting Free of charge Tracking system that would keep track of the details of ride, calculate the totals and submit electronically Cost saving Real-time, interactive, web based Accepts range of dates Secure but with capability to save data to decrease input time

Reasons for not recouping funding “We don’t track individuals names, but rather just count the riders.” We’re already funded through MA. Already reimbursed through fee-for-services from the state of MN Multiple responsibilities, time is a big factor Too few riders Interested in recouping funding, but not adding another software program to preexisting system No funding “We have contracts”

In your current contracts, is there uniformity in the amount reimbursed PER MILE?

58.6% say NO!

Current rates for those that answered “yes" Don’t charge per mile IRS Rate IRS Rate for volunteer miles IRS + $0.15 for Admin ($0.735/mile) $0.20 per mile $0.50 per mile $0.55 per mile $0.585 per mile $ $0.70 per mile $0.70 per mile $1.50 $3.11 $7.48

How was this rate determined? “Historical average rate for all people served- currently $4.02 per day (no matter if people are driven 1 mile or 20 miles).” Set by legislation Federal Reimbursement Rate IRS plus administration fees “Per Month” “Some have a set rate they pay out to all agencies others are negotiable” “MA reimburses at IRS rate; UCare and BlueRide have their own rates” “Set in contract when it came to the office!” “Based on sliding scale for the Federal Mileage Rate and inflation for expenses and subsidy from funds.” “The Department of Human Services rate schedule which permits only marginal increases provided by COLA increases.”

What mileage rate would you need in order to cover your full costs (please provide amount needed PER MILE)?

RateNumber of Responses $ $0.854 $ $1.152 $ $1.702 $ $2.952 $4.411 $5.151 $ IRS + Admin1 Donation1 Depends on driver cost1

Actual cost of a BUS ride per mile

Bus Ride Costs Cost in dollarsUnit $0.82Mile $1.73Mile $2.02Mile $2.45Mile $3.10Countywide $3.52Mile $3.57Mile $4.00Mile

34 responses statewide RateNumber of Responses $0 - $0.504 $0.821 $ $2.457 $ $3.587 $ $4.382 $5.861 $6.671 Unknown or N/A10 Variable1

Administrative Expense Per Mile Only 20 responses statewide! Only 2 responses in area 4! Low response count. What does this mean? Response #1 Response #2 $0.40$0.17

Statewide Administrative Expense Per Mile RateQuantity of Responses $ $0.26*4 $0.30 – $0.50*3 $ $0.552 $ $1.202 $3.331 Unknown2 Included in Per Mile * = area 4 responses here 1

Minimum Needed to Cover Cost Per Mile 6 responses in Area 4 $ $4.41 $0.75$1.90$2.02$3.50$4.00$4.41

Comparison with state 20 responses statewide Wide range Minimum neededNumber of responses $0 - $0.894 $ $2.355 $ $4.415 $5.861 $10 - $223 $501 Unknown1

Actual Cost of A VOLUNTEER Driver Per Mile RateNo. of Responses $1.001 $ $0.581 $ $0.553 $ $0.401 IRS1

Cost of a VOLUNTEER Driver Per Mile statewide RateNumber of Responses $0.507 $0.53- $ $0.611 $ $0.963 $1.001 $ IRS Rate2 Unknown, N/A12

Administrative Expense Per Mile 9 responses in area 4! RateNo. of Responses $0.102 $0.151 $0.171 $0.201 $0.251 $ $0.621 $1.551

Statewide Administrative Expenses Per Mile RateNumber of Responses $ $ $ $0.514 $ $0.752 $ $1.551 $ $ N/A1 Unknown3

Minimum Needed to Cover Cost Per Mile RateNo. of Responses $0.501 $ $0.755 $0.801 $1.171 $2.081

Comparison with State RateNumber of Responses $ $0.504 $ $0.759 $ $0.986 $1.171 $1.991 $2.081 $ $25.001

Actual Cost of a WHEEL CHAIR LIFT VEHCILE Ride Per Mile 2 numeric responses in area 4 One essay response: “Same as bus.” $1.73$2.02

Statewide Responses RateResponses $0.001 $0.341 $1.731 $1.961 $2.022 $2.301 $3.581 $4.381 $6.671

Administrative Expenses Per Mile Only 11 responses statewide! Only 1 responses in area 4! Low response count. What does this mean? $0.17

Statewide RateNumber of responses $0.002 $0.17*1 $0.261 $0.301 $0.531 $0.551 $3.331 N/A1 Unknown2

Minimum Need to Cover Cost Per Mile 2 responses: 2.02 and $1.90

11 Statewide Responses! Rates $0.00 $0.89 $1.90 $1.96 $2.02 $2.30 $4.38 $10.00 $18.02 $ $3.58 N/A Unknown

Actual Cost of a NON- WHEELCHAIR accessible ride Per Mile 5 responses from area 4 All indicated that the cost is the same as a bus or wheelchair lift vehicle $0.50$0.96$2.02$6.67

Statewide Responses CostNumber of Responses $01 $0.341 $0.501 $0.961 $2.021 $2.301 $3.481 $4.381 $6.671 Unknown or N/A8 Varies or Non2

Administrative Expenses Per Mile 1 responses from area 4! $0.41$0.48$3.33

11 Responses Statewide! ExpensesNumber of Responses $0.001 $0.281 $0.301 $0.41*1 $0.48*1 $0.551 $3.33*1 N/A2 Unknown2

Minimum Needed to Cover Cost Per Mile 0 responses from area 4! $0.96$0.98$10.00

Actual cost of an ambulatory ride per mile 2 total responses! Same as Bus$2.02

Statewide Responses CostNumber of Responses $0.001 $0.341 $0.501 $0.581 $2.022 $2.301 $4.381 $6.671 Unknown/NA16

Other Rides Provided Accompanied Service to doctor appointments & grocery shopping

Other Rides Statewide Senior Rides Commuters Public Transit with a designated project area Non-Public funded trips to locations outside MnDot project area Non-Medica volunteer driver program to visit spouses in nursing homes

Costs of “Other” Ride Per Mile Statewide: –“no cost, this is a bonus” –$50/hr. for bus service operating outside transit hours –$0.55 –$0.34 –$1.02