Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) Driver Requirements

Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) Driver Requirements A. The non-emergency transportation (NET) Broker must ensure that all NET drivers complete a criminal background check verifying the NET driver is not excluded per Miss. Code Ann. § 43-13-121. [Refer to Miss. Admin. Code Part 201, Rule 2.1.B.10.] B. The NET Broker must ensure NET drivers: 1. Abide by federal, state, and local laws. 2. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age and have a current valid driver’s license to operate the assigned vehicle. 3. Be courteous, patient and helpful to all passengers and be neat and clean in appearance. 4. Wear a visible, easily read name tag which identifies the employee and the employer. 5. Provide an appropriate level of assistance to a beneficiary when requested or when necessitated by the beneficiary’s mobility status or personal condition, including curb-to- curb, door-to-door, and hand-to-hand assistance, as required. a) The NET driver must confirm the beneficiary is safely inside the residence or facility before departing the drop-off point. b) The NET driver is responsible for properly securing any mobility devices used by the beneficiary. 6. Assist beneficiaries in the process of being seated, confirm all seat belts are fastened properly and all passengers are safely and properly secured. 7. Park the vehicle: a) In a safe location out of traffic if a beneficiary or other passenger’s behavior or any other condition impedes the safe operation of the vehicle, notify the dispatcher and request assistance. b) To prevent the beneficiary from crossing streets to reach the entrance of their destination. 8. Must provide verbal directions to passengers as appropriate. 9. Notify the NET provider immediately ofan emergency such as an accident/ incident or vehicle breakdown to arrange for alternative transportation for the beneficiaries on board. The NET provider must report all accidents/incidents and breakdowns to the NET Broker. 10. Report all no-shows immediately to the NET provider and the NET provider must notify the NET Broker so the authorization can be cancelled. C. The NET Broker must ensure NET drivers do not: 1. Leave a beneficiary unattended at any time. 2. Use alcohol, narcotics, illegal drugs, or prescription medications that impair their ability to perform. 3. Smoke in the vehicle, while assisting a beneficiary or in the presence of a beneficiary or allow beneficiaries or their adult attendant to smoke in the vehicle. 4. Wear any type of headphones while on duty, with the exception of hands-free headsets for mobile telephones which can only be used for communication with the NET provider or to call 911 in an emergency. 5. Touch any passenger except as appropriate and necessary to assist the passenger into or out of the vehicle, into a seat and to secure the seatbelt or as necessary to render first aid or assistance which the NET driver has been trained. 6. Provide NET services to Medicaid beneficiaries without completing a national and state background check. D. The NET Broker must ensure a NET driver is removed from NET service if he/she: 1. Fails an annual random drug test. 2. Is convicted of: a) Two (2) moving violations or accidents related to transportation provided under the NET Broker Program, or b) Any federal or state crime listed in Miss. Code Ann. § 43-13-121. 3. Has a suspended or revoked driver’s license for moving traffic violations in the previous five (5) years.