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 Begun in 1986 a public-private partnership forged between Vermont's community transportation providers and the State Agency of Human Services created a program that has effectively and efficiently provided transportation to inidivudals in the greatest need.  VPTA’s Medicaid Program has been nationally recognized for its low cost, innovative coordinated approach to providing service. VPTA’s members deliver coordinated transportation under a brokerage agreement with the Office of Vermont Health Access. VPTA serves as the program manager and single point of contact and accountability for the medical transportation programs of 9 regional Medicaid brokers statewide.

The objective of the VPTA Medicaid/Reach Up Transportation Program is to provide the most cost effective, appropriate transportation based on individual needs, medical circumstances, and available community resources. A dedicated corps of volunteer and professional drivers deliver several hundred thousand rides to medical services, employment, and training each year.

The VPTA brokerage system is the major provider of nonemergency medical transportation for Vermont’s Medicaid eligible citizens. Broker organizations include public transit systems and paratransit providers. Involvement in the Medicaid transportation program requires brokers to be subject to service approval, claims processing, and utilization review. During FY2007 VPTA members utilized taxis, buses, vans, and a network of hundreds of volunteers to provide 579,467 Medicaid/Reach Up trips statewide.

Reach Up

Because transportation plays a vital role in helping people move from dependence to self-sufficiency, the Reach Up program will help people succeed in the workforce. Reach Up is Vermont's program to provide education and employment opportunities for those individuals transitioning from public assistance to paid employment. Participants in this program are eligible for transportation assistance. VPTA members provide transportation to employment and training for participants in communities around the state.

For Information about these services call our toll free number 1-8775-RIDEVT (1-877-574-3388).