Now Providing Medicaid Transportation
New Growth Transit is pleased to announce that it is now an approved transportation provider through MTM (Medical Transportation Management), allowing us to offer rides to medical appointments across our 11-county rural service region for eligible Missouri Medicaid (MO Health Net) recipients.
This long-awaited partnership expands access to essential healthcare for rural residents who often face long distances and limited or no public transportation options.
“We are thrilled to officially be onboard with MTM,” said Kelly Ast, Chief Mobility Officer at New Growth. “This means more rural residents can get to their medical appointments, including preventive care, specialty visits, and treatments, without worrying about how they’ll get there.”
How It Works
Eligible riders can call the number on the back of their Medicaid card at least 48 hours in advance to schedule a ride and request New Growth Transit as their transportation provider.
Once the ride is scheduled,MTM may then assign it to New Growth Transit. Our team of trained and insured volunteer drivers will provide the ride, offering a friendly face and dependable service for each leg of the trip, while keeping volunteer drivers active and continuing to serve their communities.
Why It Matters
New Growth Transit’s volunteer driver network has already proven what’s possible in rural areas. In 2024, our volunteer drivers provided more than 1 million miles of free rides, helping residents get to medical appointments, jobs, grocery stores, and other essential destinations, proving both the need for transportation beyond medical visits and the success of a volunteer driver network.
By joining the MTM provider network, we can resume helping people across our region access medical appointments, which accounted for roughly half of the rides provided last year.
Still Seeking Local Partners
We are still seeking partners to help fund non-Medicaid rides, which make up the other half of the need.These include transportation to work, the grocery store, or services outside MTM’s scope. We are especially looking for partners to support rides in the following Missouri counties: Bates, Barton, Cass, Cedar, Dallas, Henry,Hickory, Morgan, Polk, St. Clair, and Vernon.
In Henry County, for example,Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare has partnered with New Growth Transit by providing funding through the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH)project, making it possible to offer rides for Henry County residents through June.
To learn how you can help expand rural transportation access in your region or in support of your mission, please contact Kelly Ast, Chief Regional Mobility Officer - 417-283-7991, transportation@wcmcaa.org, or visit newgrowthmo.org/transit
About New Growth
New Growth is a rural community development corporation based in west central Missouri, with offices in Appleton City, El Dorado Springs, and Bolivar. We create opportunities for people to live, work, and thrive in the communities they call home, without having to move away to access jobs, healthcare, or essential services.
Our programs connect people with resources and unlock the strengths already within our communities. From the New Growth Transit volunteer driver network to microlending, food and farm business support, and the Women’s Business Center,we deliver innovative solutions that strengthen communities where the next generation can find opportunity close to home, and where all residents,including older adults, can stay connected, independent and well supported.
Together, we’re connecting neighbors and strengthening communities—one mile at a time.