Specialized Services
VanGO offers a number of specialized transportation services for persons unable to access or utilize the fixed-route public bus system.
Medical Assistance Transportation
VanGO offers specialized transportation to and from medical appointments for persons participating in the Maryland Medical Assistance Program. Only persons with a valid Medical Assistance Card, approved for transportation benefits, are eligible.
This service is made possible through VanGO's partnership with the Charles County Health Department, which receives the state funding for MA transportation and contracts with VanGO to provide the service. Eligibility for the program is done through an application process at the Charles County Department of Social Services.
Eligible MA clients may call VanGO at 301-609-7917 to schedule their trips. This service is available for transportation to and from medically nescessary appointments only. Service outside Charles County is also provided but clients are required to seek medical service within the county whenever it is available. Ambulance service to and from medical facilities is also a component of this program.
Clients are advised that Medical Assistance as defined by state regulations is “transportation of last resort." Participants are screened at the time they place their call to schedule service. A series of questions are asked to verify that a customer has no other means of getting to their appointment. VanGO public transit routes are an option for some customers and will be utilized when possible. If it is determined that there is no other transportation available to the customer, MA service will be scheduled.
Medical Assistance transportation is a shared ride program. VanGO will make every effort to get passengers to their destinations in a reasonable amount of travel time but reserves the right to schedule multiple customers for pickups to multiple destinations.
Days, Hours and Fares
VanGO Medical Assistance Transportation operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. Until 5:00 P.M. Customers are not charged for this service. Fares are paid through the Medical Assistance grant. Personal Care Attendants, when certified in advance by VanGO, can ride with the client, if space is available, at no extra charge.
Passenger Assistance
Medical Assistance drivers provide door-to-door service to customers by offering passenger assistance from the customer's door to the vehicle and vice versa. This includes assistance boarding and disembarking and assistance with packages when the weight does not exceed five pounds for all packages. All packages must be able to be carried in one trip by the driver.
Safety
All passengers must wear safety belts when aboard VanGO vans and all children under 4 years of age, or weighing less than 40 pounds, must use a child safety seat, which must be provided by the customer.
Other Resources
The Charles County Health Department has many health programs and services and can be reached at 301-609-6900. The Charles County Department of Social Services is also available to assist low-income persons with food stamps, cash assistance, educational programs, and child care subsidies. To contact them by telephone, call 301-392-6400.
Passenger Pickup Policy for Specialized Service
Purpose
To provide a uniform method by which all VanGO Specialized Service drivers are to proceed when picking up or dropping off passengers.
Policy
VanGO’s Specialized Service program is a “door-to-door” service. Drivers are responsible for getting passengers safely on and off the vehicle and to the front door of their destination.
Exception: Facilities where the entrance door is above the ground floor. VanGO drivers are only required to get the passenger to the elevator entrance or stairwell.
Procedure
1. Drivers are required to step outside their vehicle and assist each passenger getting on or off the vehicle.This assistance will start at the passenger's groundfloor entrance and continue until the person is on the vehicle. The reverse will be in effect when picking up a passenger for transit home.
2. VanGO drivers are not allowed to enter any passengers house for pickup or drop off. However, passengers should be assisted to the entrance door.
3. VanGO drivers are only responsible for getting passengers to the entry door of a pickup or drop off location. If the passenger needs further assistance they will be required to have a Personal Care Attendant.
Note: All situations may not fit these guidelines and VanGO staff
will investigate and make individual determinations as they are needed