Logisticare receives state contract

The state previously had a contract with St. Louis-based Medical Transportation Management since 1997, costing $40.4 million a year in state and federal funds.

Cost concerns prompted Gov. Matt Blunt to secure a contract with Atlanta-based Logisticare, lowering the yearly cost to $25.6 million. Logisticare provides transportation services for Medicaid recipients to doctors’ offices and pharmacies.

Mike Keathley, Missouri commissioner of administration, said in a news release that the change will not only reduce costs by millions, it will also improve customer service and secure a better Medicaid reimbursement rate from the federal government.

Other highlights of the new contract include reduced request times for service, reduced pick-up window time for clients, voice-answered phones and reduced wait time for service calls.

Logisticare will operate a call center in Kansas City with provider support staff there and in St. Louis. The company will fill about 63 administrative positions in Missouri and will be staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.