TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE SERVICES PROVIDER IN ARKANSAS

Fatumata Kaba
4 days ago
3 min read

HELPING INDIVIDUALS ACCESS ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY LIFE SAFELY THROUGH RELIABLE NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT

Transportation Assistance Services in Arkansas support individuals with developmental disabilities by helping them access waiver services, medical appointments, employment, and community activities. These services are offered under the Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver and are critical to promoting independence, inclusion, and continuity of care.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

Role: Approves CES Waiver providers offering transportation services and ensures regulatory compliance

Agency: Arkansas Medicaid / Division of Medical Services (DMS)

Role: Administers provider enrollment and Medicaid reimbursement for CES Waiver transportation services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures transportation services align with HCBS community integration standards

2. TRANSPORTATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Transportation Assistance Services provide non-emergency, door-to-door support to help individuals attend authorized waiver services and activities included in their ISP. Services may be provided directly or coordinated with third-party drivers.

Approved providers may deliver:

Transportation to and from habilitation, employment, or day programs
Mileage-based reimbursement for agency-provided rides
Supervised, scheduled rides aligned with ISP goals
Vehicle safety inspections and maintenance tracking
Driver credential verification and training
Documentation of mileage, trip purpose, and client attendance

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Arkansas Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Submit CES Waiver Provider Application to DDS
Enroll through the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal
Maintain commercial vehicle insurance and fleet registration
Have documented policies for vehicle safety, maintenance, and incident response
Hire drivers with valid licenses, background checks, and appropriate training

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Provider Enrollment

Apply through the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal
Submit business documents, EFT info, and designate CES Waiver services

Step 2: DDS CES Waiver Application

Include transportation-specific policies and safety protocols
Submit sample mileage logs, training documentation, and driver credentials

Step 3: Approval and ISP Coordination

Once approved, coordinate with support coordinators to provide authorized transportation services per participant ISP

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Medicaid enrollment and CES Waiver provider approval
Policy & procedure manual including:
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection logs
- Driver onboarding and training procedures
- Trip scheduling and dispatching workflows
- Mileage documentation and billing forms
- Participant rights and consent forms
- Emergency preparedness and accident protocols
- HIPAA and client confidentiality procedures
- Incident reporting and supervisory checklists

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Transportation Coordinator / Scheduler

Requirements: Experience in logistics, dispatch, or Medicaid transportation services

Role: Driver / Transportation Staff

Requirements:

Valid Arkansas driver’s license
Clean driving record and background check
CPR/First Aid and defensive driving training
Ability to support passengers with mobility challenges

Training Requirements for All Staff:

Passenger assistance and vehicle safety
Confidentiality and client interaction protocols
Incident and emergency response procedures
Annual reviews on vehicle operation, documentation, and ethics

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Transportation Assistance Services are authorized under:

Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver
ARChoices in Homecare Waiver (in certain cases)
Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) Program (separately administered through brokers)

Approved providers may deliver: