TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE SERVICES PROVIDER IN IOWA

HELPING INDIVIDUALS ACCESS ESSENTIAL SERVICES THROUGH NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT

Transportation Assistance Services in Iowa help individuals who are unable to drive or use standard public transit due to disability, chronic illness, or age-related conditions. These services ensure access to Medicaid-covered medical services, community activities, employment, and daily living needs. They are authorized under both the Medicaid State Plan (Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, or NEMT) and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME)

Role: Administers Medicaid funding, provider enrollment, and service reimbursements for transportation services

Agency: MTM (Medical Transportation Management), Iowa’s NEMT Broker

Role: Manages Medicaid State Plan transportation requests and credentialing for NEMT providers

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring Medicaid-funded transportation services meet access-to-care standards and participant protections

2. TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Transportation Assistance Services support access to healthcare and community-based services by providing non-emergency transport to eligible individuals.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Waiver transportation: To community activities, supported employment, adult day programs, or other HCBS-authorized services

• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): For travel to Medicaid-covered medical appointments, therapy sessions, or prescription pick-ups

• Individual and group rides depending on participant needs and cost-effectiveness

• Wheelchair-accessible transportation for individuals with mobility impairments

• Door-to-door or curb-to-curb assistance as required by the participant’s needs and ISP

All transportation must be safe, timely, and authorized in the participant’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP) or via MTM for medical transport.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Iowa Secretary of State

• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)

• Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Iowa Medicaid Portal Access (IMPA) system

• Obtain required transportation licenses or vehicle-for-hire permits (if applicable)

• Maintain commercial auto, vehicle liability, and general liability insurance

• Ensure vehicles meet ADA standards and Iowa Department of Transportation safety requirements

• Develop safety, emergency, and incident response policies

• Ensure all drivers meet background checks, health screenings, and defensive driving training

4. IOWA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Submit the Medicaid Provider Enrollment application via IMPA for waiver transportation

• Apply separately through MTM’s credentialing process for NEMT participation under the State Plan

Documentation Submission:

• Provide Articles of Incorporation, EIN/NPI confirmation, vehicle insurance, driver credentials, maintenance records, and policy manual

Readiness Review:

• IME or MTM reviews provider readiness, including safety plans, documentation systems, and staffing credentials

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon approval, configure appropriate service codes for mileage- or trip-based billing under waiver or State Plan programs

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Iowa Secretary of State)

• IRS EIN confirmation

• NPI confirmation

• Proof of general liability, commercial auto, and vehicle insurance

• Driver’s license, background checks, and health screenings

• Transportation Assistance Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

  • Trip scheduling, verification, and dispatch procedures

  • Participant safety, ADA compliance, and emergency protocols

  • Incident reporting and vehicle maintenance logs

  • HIPAA compliance and participant rights policies

  • Medicaid billing, mileage documentation, and audit preparation protocols

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Transportation Program Manager / Supervisor

Requirements: Experience in transportation logistics, human services, or healthcare coordination preferred; background clearance

Role: Drivers / Transportation Specialists

Requirements: Valid Iowa driver’s license; clean driving record; CPR/First Aid certification preferred; defensive driving, HIPAA, and passenger safety training; background screening and drug testing clearance

All staff must complete:

• Abuse prevention and mandatory reporting training

• Emergency response and vehicle evacuation procedures

• Participant confidentiality and HIPAA training

• Annual driver record checks and vehicle safety refreshers

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS AND STATE PLAN COVERAGE

Transportation Assistance is reimbursable through:

• HCBS Waivers:

  • Intellectual Disability (ID) Waiver

  • Health and Disability (HD) Waiver

  • Brain Injury (BI) Waiver

  • Elderly Waiver

  • Children’s Mental Health (CMH) Waiver (in some cases)

• Medicaid State Plan (via MTM):

  • Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Daily or recurring rides to waiver-authorized services (adult day care, work, therapy, etc.)

• One-time or scheduled medical transportation

• Wheelchair-accessible transport with proper safety equipment

• Community-based transport for approved ISP goals

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Vehicle Compliance Preparation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Training

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and/or MTM Credentialing

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Billing System Configuration and Transportation Service Launch

Timeline: 30–45 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME)

Website: https://ime.iowa.gov/providers

MTM (NEMT Broker – Iowa)

Website: https://www.mtm-inc.net/iowa/

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — IOWA TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE PROVIDER

WCG assists transportation providers, adult day service agencies, and community organizations in launching Medicaid-compliant Transportation Assistance Services across Iowa.

Scope of Work:

• Business registration, Medicaid/MTM enrollment, and DOT compliance

• Development of Transportation Services Policy & Procedure Manual

• Driver credentialing templates, route logs, and mileage tracking tools

• Medicaid billing system setup and claims management support

• Website, domain, and professional branding development

• ADA compliance checklists and safety procedure templates

• Quality assurance systems for incident tracking, trip verification, and participant satisfaction

• Partnership development with case managers, hospitals, and HCBS waiver providers

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