17-05-2025
Closing of Empire DM leaves uncertain transportation planning
ELMIRA HEIGHTS, N.Y. (WETM) — The closing of the Empire DM Medical Transportation in Elmira Heights has made it one less option for people who rely on the service.
The transportation company told 18 News on Wednesday, May 14, that it was closing due to financial reasons. People who are Medicaid eligible might have to wait a little longer to arrive at their appointments. The director of the Chemung County Department of Aging and Long Term Care, Beth Stranges, anticipates that people will be concerned about delays in medical transportation services, in particular people with mobility impairment who require special accommodations.
Empire DM to cease transportation services in the Southern Tier
'I can see that this is going to have a big impact on Medicaid eligible individuals, people that receive Medicaid funding to provide their transportation to their medical appointments. Many of our older adults are now eligible for Medicaid. They've raised the income guidelines, therefore, many more people that are aging are eligible,' Stranges said. 'They may utilize wheelchairs or have mobility devices that require the transportation that was provided by Empire DM to get them to their medical appointments.'
Stranges suggested people to call Medical Answering Service at 866-932-7740 to schedule Medicaid rides to transport them to their appointments. She also included local transportation services such as buses and a transportation company called Total Transportation in Elmira.
Total Transportation Vice President, Peter Kadar, told 18 News that the company provides rides to people for their medical appointments. Kadar expects to see an increase in people scheduling rides and recommends people to plan 24 hours in advance. The company is limited on wheelchair vans at this time but is in the process of purchasing two to three new vans with wheelchair lifts and have them by late May or June.
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