Joint investigation with NYS Office of the Medicaid Inspector General results in 52 tickets and up to $26,000 in fines, investigation into other cab companies continues
Farmingville, NY - Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine today announced that an investigation into taxi companies operating within the Town has resulted in one cab company receiving 52 appearance tickets which could result in fines in excess of $26,000 and facing further actions by the NYS Medicaid Inspector General. The taxicab companies, which were providing transportation services for Medicaid patients, were charged with violation of Brookhaven Town Code and face further violations of New York State regulations.
The joint investigation, which is being conducted by Town of Brookhaven Law and Public Safety investigators with Supervising Investigator Christopher Bedell of the NYS Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, is continuing to look into other taxi companies operating within the Town.
“Brookhaven Town and New York State take Medicaid violations very seriously and we will continue to pursue any company that operates without a license to the fullest extent of the law,” said Supervisor Ed Romaine. “I have asked the Town Attorney to proceed with the investigation until every company is in compliance.”
In September, the Brookhaven Town Attorney’s office opened an investigation of unlicensed taxicab companies operating in the Town of Brookhaven, with at least one allegedly conducting Medicaid pick-ups and drop-offs without proper licensing from the Town of Brookhaven. The Town’s Department of Public Safety began a review of taxicab companies that have not completed the licensing to conduct business in Brookhaven Town. Among the numerous companies that were found to be in violation of Town Code § 67-6 and§ 67-3, Hometown Taxi, located in the Town of Southampton, was also found to be conducting Medicaid transportation pick-ups and drop-offs in Brookhaven Town. Under Brookhaven Town Code§ 67-6, a taxicab business within the Town is required to secure a license from the Commissioner of Public Safety or the designee of the same.
The Town has been informed by the NYS Office of the Medicaid Inspector General that several other taxicab companies have been providing transportation services for medical care involving Medicaid recipients without the proper licensing under New York State code 18 NYCRR §500. According to the code, “To participate in the Medicaid Program, a taxi/livery provider must meet all applicable State, County, and Municipal requirements for legal operation. “Transportation for Medical Care and Services Providers must comply with 18 NY CRR section 505.10 in its entirety. As written 505.10 (e) (6) (iii) states "A vendor of transportation services is lawfully authorized to provide such services if it meets the following standards: (iii) taxicab or livery services must comply with all requirements of the local municipality concerning the operation of taxicab or livery service in that municipality and with all requirements of the Department of Motor Vehicles.”
Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone 631-451-6595