Vehicle Requirements

Vehicle Requirements A. All vehicles used for transport must: 1. Adhere to all federal, state, county or local laws and ordinances. 2. Not exceed the vehicle manufacturer’s approved seating capacity for number of persons in the vehicle, including the driver. 3. Have a functioning heating and air-conditioning system which maintains a temperature comfortable to the beneficiary at all times. 4. Have functioning seat belts and restraints as required by federal, state, county or local statute or ordinance and: a) Have an easily visible interior sign in capital letters that reads, “All passengers must wear seat belts”, b) Store seat belts off the floor when not in use, c) Have at least two (2) seat belt extensions available, and d) Be equipped with at least one (1) seat belt cutter within easy reach of the driver for use in emergency situations. 5. Have an accurate, operating speedometer and odometer. 6. Be operated within the manufacturer’s safe operating standards at all times. 7. Have two (2) exterior rear view mirrors, one (1) on each side of the vehicle. 8. Be equipped with an interior mirror for monitoring the passenger compartment. 9. Have a clean exterior free of broken mirrors or windows, excessive grime, major dents or paint damage that detracts from the overall appearance of the vehicles. 10. Have a clean interior free of torn upholstery, including floor and ceiling coverings, damaged or broken seats, protruding sharp edges, dirt, oil, grease or litter, hazardous debris, or unsecured items. 11. Display the non-emergency transportation (NET) provider’s business name and telephone number in a minimum of three (3) inch high lettering in a color that contrasts with the surrounding background on at least both sides of the exterior of the vehicle and have: a) No words displayed on the interior or exterior of the vehicle indicating Medicaid beneficiaries are being transported, or b) A NET provider’s business name which does not imply Medicaid beneficiaries are being transported. 12. Have the NET Broker’s toll-free and local phone numbers prominently displayed in the interior of each vehicle with complaint procedures clearly visible and available in written format upon request. 13. Be non-smoking at all times with a visible interior sign in all capital letters that reads: “No smoking”. 14. Have a vehicle information packet containing vehicle registration, insurance card, and accident procedures and forms. 15. Be equipped with a first aid kit stocked with antiseptic cleansing wipes, antibiotic ointment, assorted sizes of adhesive and gauze bandages, tape, scissors, latex-free or other impermeable gloves and sterile eyewash. 16. Contain a current map of the applicable geographic area with sufficient detail to locate beneficiary and Medicaid provider addresses. 17. Be equipped with an appropriate working fire extinguisher stored in a safe, secure location. 18. Have insurance coverage for all vehicles at all times in compliance with state law and any county or city ordinance. 19. Be equipped with a “spill kit” that includes liquid spill absorbent, latex-free or other impermeable gloves, hazardous waste disposal bags, scrub brush, disinfectant and deodorizer. 20. Be in compliance with applicable Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Specifications for Transportation. B. The NET Broker must: 1. Ensure all NET providers maintain all vehicles which meet or exceed local, state and federal requirements and the manufacturer’s safety mechanical operating, and maintenance standards. 2. Supply all NET providers with a copy of the ADA vehicle requirements and inspect the vehicles for compliance during the scheduled bi-annual vehicle inspections. 3. Have in its network NET providers with the capability to perform bariatric transports of beneficiaries up to eight hundred (800) pounds. 4. Maintain documentation on the lifting capacity of each vehicle in its network to timely schedule transports for beneficiaries requiring a lift. 5. Require every vehicle in a NET provider’s fleet has a real-time link via a phone or two- way radio. Pagers are not acceptable as a substitute. 6. Test all communication equipment during regularly scheduled vehicle inspections. 7. Inspect all NET provider vehicles prior to the Operations Start Date and at least every six (6) months thereafter. 8. Place the Medicaid approved inspection sticker on the outside of the passenger side rear window upon completion of a successful inspection. 9. Maintain records of inspections and make them available to the Division of Medicaid upon request. C. Authorized employees of the Division of Medicaid or the NET Broker must immediately remove from service any vehicle or NET driver found to be out of compliance with Miss. Admin. Code Part 201, Rule 2.1 or with any federal or state regulations. 1. The vehicle or NET driver may be returned to service only after the NET Broker verifies the deficiencies have been corrected. 2. Any deficiencies and actions taken to remedy deficiencies must be documented and become a part of the vehicle’s and the NET driver’s permanent records.