MedTrans of Oldham County is HDB's non-emergency medical transportation service. MedTrans’ mission is to provide quality, on-time non-emergency medical transportation for Oldham County’s elderly residents, residents with disabilities, and/or low-income residents. Participants use MedTrans’ wheelchair accessible vehicles to access health services throughout the community.
People who need transportation simply call MedTrans at 222 - 6400 and request a ride at least 24 hours before it is needed (persons who receive assistance through Medicaid can call 1-866-251-7404 to see if they are able to access non-emergency transportation services and to schedule a ride; during this call, you simply request that MedTrans pick you up).
Oldham County residents who don't have Medicaid and who are over the age of 60 ride free-of-charge. Others who don't have medicaid pay $6.00 one-way in Oldham County or $10.00 one-way for out-of-county destinations. The MedTrans scheduler designs daily schedules based on the availability of vehicles, drivers, and desired destinations.
Keeping costs as low as possible is an important part of helping persons who are elderly, disabled, and/or low-income access transportation. In order to accomplish this purpose, HDB combines funding from diverse sources along with the services of volunteers devoted to the service. MedTrans receives partial reimbursement through United Way, Title IIIB (aging resources) funds obtained through KIPDA, and private contributions. Eligible riders are not charged for trips to non-emergency medical or treatment destinations.
HDB started MedTrans in January 2004 because there was no way for people who did not have access to transportation to get to the doctor, pharmacy, or treatment centers. Since then, MedTrans has offered uninterrupted service to Oldham County's residents. Starting with one wheelchair accessible van, MedTrans’ fleet has grown to five vehicles (two accessible vans and three sedans).
A unique aspect of MedTrans is its use of volunteer drivers. HDB recruits volunteers with clear background checks and excellent driving records from the community. HDB believes that its well-trained volunteer drivers are a vital part of this service for people who are elderly or who have disabilities because the drivers create community connections that reduce isolation. MedTrans’ volunteer drivers have a commitment to our riders – it’s not just a job to them. Starting with 10 volunteer drivers for in-county transport, MedTrans grew to include paid drivers who serve those riders who require out-of-county trips for their medical needs. Most (90%) of MedTrans’ riders made repeat trips and have formed lasting relationships with our volunteer drivers, whose commitment is demonstrated by the thousands of volunteer hours they have logged since the beginning of MedTrans.
For more information or to schedule a ride, please call (502) 222 – 6400.
