Project Summary
Access to in-person medical care is critical for high risk patients, such as those who are pregnant or suffering from certain end-stage diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted medical care access, in part due to transportation system disruptions. This research project will analyze the medical risk for affected populations due to missing or delaying in-person medical visits. A white paper will be issued discussing how state and local transportation agencies can improve transportation access to medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic through the possible expansion of eligibility for paratransit or other publicly-subsidized mobility services for patients with specified conditions. The paper will also inform medical insurance companies (i.e., MediCal and Medicare providers) and medical entities that arrange for non-emergency medical transportation.
