NON-MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN UTAH

Fatumata Kaba
1 day ago
3 min read

SUPPORTING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH RELIABLE COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION

Non-Medical Transportation (NMT) Services in Utah are designed to help individuals with disabilities or long-term care needs travel to and from Medicaid-covered services, community activities, employment, and other essential appointments. These services promote independence, reduce institutionalization, and ensure community integration by removing transportation barriers.

NMT is an allowable service under Utah’s Medicaid State Plan and several HCBS Waivers for individuals who need help accessing day programs, employment supports, or routine medical care. Oversight is managed by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) through the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) and the Division of Integrated Healthcare (DIH).

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1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) – Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD)

Role: Approves providers, authorizes transportation under HCBS Waivers, and coordinates with case managers.

Agency: Utah Medicaid – Division of Integrated Healthcare (DIH)

Role: Administers Medicaid benefits and claims, including provider enrollment and reimbursement for transportation services.

Agency: Utah Department of Commerce – Division of Corporations

Role: Registers businesses operating in the state, including transportation providers.

2. NON-MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OVERVIEW

Non-Medical Transportation services assist eligible individuals in reaching:

Day programs or adult day health centers
Supported employment and job training sites
Medical or therapy appointments not requiring ambulance transport
Community integration or habilitation services
Grocery stores, banks, or similar essential errands as authorized

Transportation options include:

Door-to-door rides with trained drivers
Group transportation in wheelchair-accessible vans
Mileage reimbursement for family members or caregivers
Escort assistance when medically appropriate or required by ISP

Transportation must be pre-authorized in the Individual Support Plan (ISP) and tracked using logs for Medicaid billing compliance.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Utah Division of Corporations
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI
Apply for DSPD provider approval if billing through HCBS Waivers
Maintain vehicle registration, insurance, and driver background checks
Develop and submit a Non-Medical Transportation Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Complete Medicaid enrollment through the Utah Provider Enrollment Portal

4. UTAH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register company, obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI

Step 2: Submit DSPD application to become an HCBS Transportation provider

Step 3: Enroll with Medicaid via DIH portal

Step 4: Undergo background checks and driver clearance

Step 5: Conduct vehicle inspections and ensure ADA compliance

Step 6: Start providing services upon ISP authorization and transportation plan approval

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

EIN, NPI, and Articles of Incorporation
DSPD provider agreement and Medicaid enrollment confirmation
Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Vehicle maintenance and safety protocols
- Incident and emergency procedures
- Staff hiring and training documentation
- Transportation logs and trip documentation
- Service authorization tracking from case managers
- HIPAA compliance and client confidentiality policies
- ADA-accessible transport procedures

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Driver/Transportation AideRequirements:

Valid Utah driver’s license
Clean driving record and background clearance
CPR/First Aid certification preferred
ADA training, including safe wheelchair handling
Annual vehicle safety and emergency response training

Role: Transportation Coordinator (optional for agencies with multiple vehicles)Responsibilities: Route planning, schedule coordination, compliance audits

All staff must complete:

Client safety and rights training
HIPAA and documentation compliance
Annual driver recertification and road safety reviews

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

NMT services may be covered under the following Utah HCBS Waivers:

Community Supports Waiver (CSW): ID/DD populations needing routine transportation
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver
Physical Disabilities Waiver (PDW)
Medically Complex Children’s Waiver (MCCW)
New Choices Waiver (NCW): For those transitioning from institutions

Waiver eligibility and authorization must be outlined in the Individual Support Plan (ISP) and coordinated with case managers.

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Policy Manual Creation

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: DSPD & Medicaid Enrollment

Timeline: 1–3 months

Phase: Driver Credentialing & Vehicle Readiness

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Service Launch

Timeline: Upon waiver approval and ISP service authorization

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Utah Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD)

Website: https://dspd.utah.gov

Utah Division of Integrated Healthcare (DIH)

Website: https://medicaid.utah.gov

Utah Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://medicaid.utah.gov/become-a-medicaid-provider

NON-MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN UTAH

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — UTAH NON-MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER

WCG helps new agencies launch fully compliant Non-Medical Transportation services under Utah’s HCBS Waivers. From paperwork to policies, we’ve got you covered.

Scope of Work: