Transportation Guide
Transportation
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Parents and Friends, through the Council on Aging, is pleased to offer non-emergency transportation services to medical appointments within LaPorte County. Our vans can accommodate most wheelchairs, and our drivers provide door-to-door service, making sure patients not only reach the medical facility safely, but also make it to the correct practitioner and get signed in.
For information on transportation to non-medical destinations, like the grocery store or bank, please see Escort Services.
For information on securing an attendant to accompany a loved one to a medical appointment, please see Advocacy.
Parents and Friends is a member in good standing with the Indiana Council on Specialized Transportation. Our Transportation program is able to meet ever-increasing need due to the generous support of the Indiana Department of Transportation, REAL Services, LaPorte Regional Health System, St. Anthony Memorial Hospital, the Unity Foundation, and people like you.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Council on Aging [COA] has expanded its services over the years to include many who are in need of transportation services.
Whenever possible, the COA attempts to match a prospective client with a funding source appropriate to that individual. This results in different payment policies for different people.
If your ride is partially funded by Title III of the Older American Act through a contract with REAL Services, you will not be charged a mandatory fee.
However, you are invited to make a donation toward the cost of your transportation. An amount will be suggested based on the difference between the cost of offering the service and the amount reimbursed by REAL Services. Such contributions go to pay for drivers, gasoline, vehicles, etc.
If your ride is reimbursable through insurance that we can bill directly, you are responsible only for the copay amount. Please note that sometimes rides are expected to be reimbursable but are not (ex. your spend-down has not been met, or you have exceeded the approved number of trips). In this case, you may receive a bill for the full amount.
Cash clients will be informed of the cost before receiving transportation services.
Despite our commonly being known as The LaPorte County Council on Aging, we are not a county agency; we are part of Parents and Friends, Inc., a not-for-profit agency that strives to help the disabled, elderly, and others. LaPorte County refers to our service area.
Monthly billing can be arranged through the COA office, but most clients pay their drivers and can be provided an envelope to put their fee/donation in. Drivers are required to turn in all payments at the end of each workday.
Tipping of drivers is not necessary. Gifts to any single PAF/COA employee are limited to $50 per calendar year.
As noted above, we are a social service agency. Our program goals, as well as grant agreements, affect how we prioritize services.
Please call the COA office at 326-7889. Outside of the LaPorte/Westville area, you can call our toll-free number at 1-800-308-9566.
- Scheduling……………………………… All office staff are trained to accept new intakes and ride reservations
- To verify your payment plan…………… COA Director’s Administrative Asst [Jill]
- Concerns regarding drivers/vans……….. Transportation Coordinator
- Concerns regarding office personnel…… COA Director’s Administrative Asst [Jill]
- Suggestions / Compliments…………….. Any staff