The Oregon Health Authority has told one of the state's largest care providers for low-income people, to improve its transportation services.
Health Share of Oregon serves more than 300,000 people across Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties, as one of the state's coordinated care organizations, or CCOs.
Non-emergency transportation is considered a core benefit of their health plan as a CCO.
The state health authority told Health Share that it’s not providing reliable transportation for things like doctor appointments.
It said drivers for its vendor GridWorks arrive late, cancel on short notice and don’t bring appropriate equipment in their vehicles.
The OHA issued a corrective action plan that requires Health Share to improve.
A statement from Health Share said it’s been working with the state to improve service and replace its vendor, GridWorks, to a new vendor called Ride To Care. Health Share also said that instead of terminating the vendor contract in January, it’s working to extend the contract to April to allow for a smooth transition.