2.1 General Administration of the NET Program The Vendor shall administer and operate a NET Brokerage Program, including but not limited to the establishment of a network of NET Providers; and authorization, coordination, scheduling, management, and reimbursement of NET Service requests. The Vendor is required to operate the NET Brokerage Program according to Federal and State laws and regulations and DOM (Mississippi Division of Medicaid) policies and formal memorandums. The Vendor shall not delegate or subcontract screening, authorization or scheduling duties. The Vendor may delegate dispatch activities to NET Providers, but the Vendor shall retain responsibility for the proper performance of dispatch activities. 2.2 General Requirements The Vendor shall not discriminate against beneficiaries eligible for NET services on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, national origin, limited English proficiency, marital status, political affiliation, health status, need for health care services, or level of income and shall not use any policy or practice that has the effect of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, limited English proficiency, marital status, political affiliation, health status, need for health care services, or level of income. 2.4 Screening Requests for NET Services may be made by beneficiaries, their family members, guardians, or representatives, and by Mississippi Medicaid Providers. The Vendor shall screen all NET requests to determine each of the following requirements: 1. The beneficiary’s eligibility for Net services 2. The beneficiary’s lack of access to available transportation. The Vendor shall require the beneficiary to verbally certify the lack of access to available transportation 3. That the medical service for which NET services is requested is a Mississippi Medicaid covered medical service for the beneficiary and rendered by an enrolled Mississippi Medicaid provider 4. The most economical mode of transportation appropriate to meet the medical needs of the beneficiary, based on the beneficiary’s mobility status and personal capabilities on the date of service. Reasons for approval of a mode of transportation that is not the most economical must be documented in detail 5. The nearest appropriate Provider to the beneficiary. If the Medicaid provider is an excessive distance from the beneficiary’s residence, see Section 2.17 6. Necessity of attendant of assistance request. The Vendor may require a medical certification statement from the beneficiary’s Provider in order to approve Door-to-Door Service or Hand-to-Hand Service
