To ensure transportation for prior authorized MTP recipients to a health care facility where health care needs will be met:

1. (1) a request for routine medical transportation must be received by the Regional MTP staff at least two working days in advance of the recipient's health care service appointment;
2. (2) a request for special medical transportation must be received by the Regional MTP staff at least five working days in advance of the recipient's health care service appointment;
3. (3) exceptions to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section may be granted by the Regional MTP manager or designee when the circumstances have been determined by the Regional MTP manager or designee to be beyond the recipient's control. The exception will be documented in the recipient's record;
4. (4) recipients with recurring visits to a health care provider may receive multiple mass transit tickets or may have more than one transportation appointment authorized in advance;
5. (5) an individual volunteer contractor(s) may receive reimbursement that exceeds the amount paid to other transportation contractors in their area for transportation to a similar facility when determined by the department as appropriate for the health care service required;
6. (6) a TICP certification period may be retroactive to the date of the initial request for MTP services if all eligibility requirements are met, and all forms are completed and returned. The duration of the certification period is a maximum of 12 consecutive months and minimum of 60 days; and/or

7. (7) specific certification periods apply to the following applicants:

   1. (A) applicants on unearned fixed income such as Social Security, worker's compensation, unemployment or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits can be certified for a 12 month period if there are no anticipated changes in household income;
   2. (B) applicants with earned income can be certified up to an 8-month period if there are no anticipated changes in household income;
   3. (C) applicants whose unearned or earned household income is within 10% of the federal poverty guideline can be certified up to a 6-month period at a time if there are no anticipated changes in household income; or
   4. (D) applicants who have zero income can be certified up to 2 months at a time. Zero income requires written verification from family members or advocates who can attest that the household receives no monthly earned or unearned income.

Source Note:The provisions of this §380.205 adopted to be effective April 10, 2001, 26 TexReg 2720; amended to be effective May 11, 2003, 28 TexReg 3722; transferred effective March 1, 2004, as published in the Texas Register April 30, 2004, 29 TexReg 4267.