Audit council lists areas to be reviewed
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

The South Carolina General Assembly's Legislative Audit Council passed the first hurdle in trying to resolve the issue of the state's non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) program.

The council conducted survey work on a legislative audit regarding a controversial decision by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in May. The department awarded a contract for two out-ofstate companies to handle transportation for South Carolina Medicaid patients.

Since being instituted, the program has met with a wealth of criticism by patients and legislators alike, prompting those with the audit council to take a closer look into the matter.

Rep. Dennis Moss (DGaffney), who has openly voiced his concern about the system, said he is happy with how the council is dealing with the issue.

"I met with them close to six weeks ago and they listened to all of my concerns about the (NEMT) system," Moss said. "From that meeting and their survey work, they came up with a focus that will be reviewed over the next few months."

The council will review five points of emphasis:

- The background of the NEMT system in South Carolina.

- Various systems used in other states to manage their NEMT programs.

- Processes used by DHHS to control cost and ensure quality under the inhouse management system prior to May 2007.

- The purchasing process used by DHHS to select the state's NEMT brokers.

- Processes used by DHHS to control cost and ensure quality under the broker system, beginning in May 2007.

The council is expected to complete its review in late January with results expected to be made public in April.

According to Moss, the council will likely make a few recommendations.

"They will come up with some recommendations, but changes are not likely," Moss said. "We see this as costing more for South Carolinians for less service. But while we are serious about this, we do want things to get resolved."

Gov. Mark Sanford's office seconds that notion, welcoming the audit council's input and the possibility of it recommending changes to the system.

"We welcome oversight from the Legislative Audit Council," Sanford spokesperson Joel Sawyer said. "If (the Legislative Audit Council) finds opportunities for improvement, we will work to implement them."