NON-MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN WASHINGTON

Fatumata Kaba
6 hours ago
3 min read

FACILITATING ACCESS TO COMMUNITY, EMPLOYMENT, AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES THROUGH SAFE, RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION

Non-Medical Transportation (NMT) Services in Washington support individuals with disabilities, older adults, and Medicaid waiver participants by providing rides to and from day programs, employment sites, medical appointments, and community activities. These services are critical for promoting independence, inclusion, and person-centered living.

NMT is a covered benefit under Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers such as Basic Plus, Core, and Individual and Family Services (IFS). Oversight is provided by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), with reimbursement through Apple Health Medicaid via the Health Care Authority (HCA).

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/dcc8e4_bea879b03ff2460bb2b2bf538c7ad5ff/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

Role: Authorizes NMT for individuals with developmental disabilities as part of their Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP).

Agency: Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA)

Role: Oversees NMT for eligible elderly or physically disabled adults.

Agency: Health Care Authority (HCA)

Role: Reimburses transportation services through Medicaid’s ProviderOne system.

2. NON-MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OVERVIEW

NMT providers transport eligible individuals to approved destinations outlined in the participant’s PCSP. This may include:

Day programs and community centers
Work or volunteer placements
Adult day health and habilitation services
Grocery shopping or banking (if in PCSP)
Recreational or social events (goal-oriented)

Note: NMT differs from Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT), which is provided by brokers (e.g., MTM, LogistiCare) for medical appointments.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register the business with the Washington Secretary of State
Obtain an EIN and Type 2 NPI
Apply to become a Medicaid provider through ProviderOne
Contract with DDA or ALTSA as an NMT provider
Submit proof of automobile liability insurance and vehicle registration
Obtain driver background checks and driving records
Create a Transportation Services Policy & Procedure Manual

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is not required unless transporting 16+ passengers.

4. WASHINGTON PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register business, secure EIN and NPI

Step 2: Enroll in ProviderOne with appropriate taxonomy (e.g., transportation or waiver services)

Step 3: Contract with DDA or ALTSA as an NMT provider

Step 4: Submit required vehicle and driver documentation

Step 5: Finalize safety, HIPAA, and service protocols

Step 6: Begin receiving referrals upon approval

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

ProviderOne enrollment confirmation
Medicaid contract with DDA or ALTSA
Vehicle registration and inspection documentation
Driver's license and driving abstract (updated annually)
Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Vehicle maintenance logs
- Rider eligibility and pick-up procedures
- Emergency protocols and incident reporting
- HIPAA compliance and confidentiality procedures
- Staff training and orientation checklist
- Daily transportation logs and billing forms
- Grievance and no-show policies

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Driver / Transportation Assistant

Requirements:

Valid Washington driver’s license
Clean driving record and background check
Training in passenger safety, disability awareness, and emergency response

Role: Dispatcher / Scheduler (optional)

Responsibilities: Coordinates routes, maintains logs, and ensures efficiency

All staff must complete:

CPR/First Aid certification
HIPAA and client confidentiality training
Mandatory reporter training
Annual vehicle and safety training updates

7. MEDICAID PROGRAMS THAT COVER TRANSPORTATION

Transportation services are authorized under:

Basic Plus, Core, and IFS Waivers (DDA) – For travel to waiver-approved services
Community First Choice (CFC) – May cover transportation if identified in PCSP
COPES Waiver (ALTSA) – For essential trips for elderly adults
Apple Health (HCA) – Reimbursement limited to non-medical transit under HCBS

All rides must be pre-approved and linked to participant goals or care plans.

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Compliance Documentation

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: ProviderOne Enrollment & Contracting with DDA/ALTSA

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Vehicle Prep, Staff Onboarding, and Policy Setup

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Service Delivery

Timeline: Begins upon contract execution and service authorization

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)