Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP)
1-888-547-MATP (6287)
Call MATP toll-free for information, enrollment, scheduling trips, cancellations, and complaints.
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday Although MATP offices are closed on County observed holidays, ACCESS service and direct reimbursements will be provided to MATP clients needing transportation on these dates.
MATP Brochure
Ride for Free with MATP! flyer
MATP on HumanServices.net
The Office of Community Services administers the MATP which provides non-emergency medical transportation, benefiting Allegheny County residents receiving Medical Assistance (MA), for the purpose of receiving non-emergency medical services. These MA billable services includes both physical health services (doctor, dentist, pharmacy) and behavioral health services (mental health counseling, drug & alcohol treatment and counseling, etc). Service Exclusions - We DO NOT provide emergency or ambulance service, transportation to sheltered workshops, day care programs, mental health social rehabilitation programs, WIC programs, nutrition programs, or VA Medical Centers.
Eligibility
- Must have a valid Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (MA) Card and be a resident of Allegheny County.
- Medical Assistance eligibility must be verified according to Pennsylvania Department of Human Services guidelines.
- MATP paperwork must be signed and returned before transportation services can begin.
Client Friendly Enrollment
All new applicants must call or visit the MATP office to enroll. Enrollment is a three-step process:
- MATP will verify your MA eligibility and then complete the MATP Application (usually over the phone).
- MATP will mail your Application to you for your signature.
- You sign all paperwork and return it to the MATP Office.
MATP Requirements
MATP is required by law to provide the least costly transportation available.
MATP will assign the client’s medical trip to public transportation, mileage reimbursement, or ACCESS shared-ride system at our discretion.
MATP will help determine your mode of transportation. Our selection of your transportation service is based upon:
- Your physical and/or behavioral health condition.
- Health needs; physicians’ recommendations.
- Availability of public transportation between your locations of origin and destination.
We do not fund trips of less than 1/4 mile unless you are unable to walk the distance.
Scheduling
Clients who ride ACCESS must call MATP to schedule their trip(s) before 4:00 p.m. and no less than two workdays (Monday through Friday) in advance of their medical appointments (i.e. you must call Thursday for a Monday appointment).
Requests for next day or same day service for 'urgent care' are approved on a case by case basis. The primary care physician and/or Managed Care Organization may be contacted for verification of need.
- Clients can call up to two weeks in advance to schedule trips.
- Clients must provide information regarding the destination and purpose of their medical trips.
- Clients must advise MATP immediately of any changes of address, telephone number, Pennsylvania Medical Assistance Card Issue Number, or Medical Assistance eligibility.
Public-Private Transportation
MATP provides after-the-fact reimbursement of transportation costs for car, bus and taxi fare.
Reimbursements are honored when verified by MATP.
Public transportation is reimbursed for actual trip cost.
Mileage in private vehicles is reimbursed at $0.40 per mile.
Parking and tolls are reimbursed.
All clients must submit proof of their medical/pharmacy visit (preferably on letterhead) and original, unmodified proof of transportation cost (e.g. taxi receipt) to receive reimbursement. MATP verifies public transportation fares with Port Authority Transit (PAT).
All clients should submit their trip verification within 15 workdays of the date of their trip in order to ensure prompt reimbursement.
MATP Shared-Ride System (SRS)
Only clients and escorts authorized by MATP are permitted on SRS vehicles.
MATP clients riding SRS have been authorized by their family physician through the Physician’s Verification Process or have attended the functional assessment and interview process conducted at the ACCESS program offices.
A parent or adult with parental authority must accompany children up to 17 years of age on SRS vehicles.
Parents must furnish a car seat for children up to 8 years of age.
Children 13-17 years old may ride alone on SRS vehicles only if the parent or guardian has signed a consent form.
Shared ride vehicles are permitted to be 10 minutes early or 20 minutes late for their scheduled pick-up time. Share ride vehicles will only wait five minutes at a pick-up site.
SRS vehicles operate Monday through Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., year-round, including holidays.
Escorts
Clients must request to bring an escort when scheduling trips. MATP will authorize escorts only when you are physically or behaviorally incapable of traveling alone or if the effect of the medical treatment you receive causes temporary incapacity. Escorts must be at least 18 years of age.
No Cost Public Transportation (No out-of-pocket expenses)
MATP and Traveler’s Aid Society (TAS) are working together through neighborhood social service programs and medical facilities to give MATP clients and their eligible family members free bus tickets for their medical appointments.
Traveler's Aid also will send bus tickets to consumers in the mail. Enrolled MATP comsumers must call TAS at 412-281-5474 at least one week in advance of their medical appointment. TAS will send the tickets in the mail to your home address along with a verification form to be signed by the medical facility.
Consumers must send the signed verification form back to TAS (stamped envelope provided) in order to continue receiving bus tickets for future appointments.