TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN INDIANA
- Watchen Roberts
- Aug 13
- 4 min read
ENABLING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, EMPLOYMENT, AND COMMUNITY LIFE THROUGH SAFE, RELIABLE NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION
Transportation Services in Indiana support individuals who are unable to drive or use conventional public transportation due to disabilities, chronic conditions, or aging-related challenges. These services are authorized under Indiana Medicaid State Plan and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs and help ensure access to medical appointments, work, day programs, and community participation.
1. GOVERNING AGENCIES
Agency: Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP)
Role: Administers Medicaid funding for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) and waiver-funded transportation services; oversees provider enrollment and reimbursement
Agency: Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) and Division of Aging
Role: Authorizes and monitors transportation services under HCBS Waivers
Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring Medicaid-funded Transportation Services meet HCBS requirements and support person-centered care and community integration
2. TRANSPORTATION SERVICE OVERVIEW
Transportation Services provide non-emergency rides for eligible individuals to and from Medicaid-approved destinations. These rides may support medical care, employment, education, community participation, or day programs.
Approved providers may deliver:
Non-Medical Transportation (waiver-funded): To adult day services, supported employment, volunteer activities, social and recreational outings
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (State Plan): To Medicaid-covered medical appointments, therapy, pharmacy visits, or evaluations
Individual or group rides based on participant needs
Wheelchair-accessible vehicle transport for participants with mobility impairments
Curb-to-curb or door-to-door service depending on level of need
All services must align with the participant’s Individualized Support Plan (ISP) or service authorization and comply with Medicaid transportation requirements.
3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites:
Register business entity with the Indiana Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Enroll as a Medicaid Transportation Provider through the Indiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Obtain any required transportation or for-hire licenses (if operating specialty vehicles)
Maintain vehicle liability, general liability, and commercial auto insurance
Ensure vehicles meet Indiana Department of Transportation (IDOT) and ADA accessibility requirements
Develop transportation policies for safety, maintenance, emergency response, and participant protections
Ensure drivers meet background checks, drug testing, and training standards
4. INDIANA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Initial Interest and Application:
Submit Provider Enrollment Application through the Indiana Medicaid Portal for either:
Waiver Transportation Services, or
NEMT Broker credentialing (via Southeastrans or other broker, if under State Plan)
Application and Documentation Submission:
Provide Articles of Incorporation, EIN/NPI confirmation, insurance certificates, vehicle registration and inspection documents, driver credentialing documentation, and transportation service policies
Program Readiness Review:
FSSA or broker reviews provider qualifications, safety standards, staff credentials, and documentation processes
Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:
Upon approval, providers are authorized to bill Medicaid for mileage- or trip-based transportation under waiver codes or broker-managed NEMT codes
5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Articles of Incorporation or Business License
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Proof of general liability, commercial auto, and vehicle insurance
Vehicle inspection and maintenance logs
Transportation Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:
Trip scheduling and dispatch procedures
Vehicle cleaning, maintenance, and emergency response protocols
ADA compliance, loading/unloading protocols, and driver-passenger interaction rules
Participant rights, HIPAA compliance, and incident reporting procedures
Driver credentialing, license verification, and ongoing training logs
Medicaid billing documentation and trip verification logs
6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Role: Transportation Program Manager / Supervisor
Requirements: Experience in transportation logistics or health-related transport preferred; background clearance
Role: Drivers / Transportation Specialists
Requirements: Valid Indiana driver’s license; clean driving record; CPR/First Aid certification preferred; defensive driving and wheelchair securement training required; background screening and drug testing clearance
All staff must complete:
HIPAA and participant confidentiality training
Abuse prevention and emergency procedures training
Defensive driving and ADA vehicle operation training
Annual driving record checks and vehicle safety refreshers
7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS AND STATE PLAN COVERAGE
Transportation Services are reimbursable through:
HCBS Waiver Programs:
Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver
Family Supports Waiver (FSW)
Aged and Disabled (A&D) Waiver
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver
Indiana Medicaid State Plan:
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (broker-managed)
Approved providers may deliver:
Waiver-authorized community integration transport
Daily roundtrip transportation to adult day services or supported employment
Rides to medical appointments under State Plan coverage
8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH
Phase: Business Formation, Vehicle Acquisition, and Safety Policy Development
Timeline: 1–2 months
Phase: Driver Hiring, Credentialing, and Training
Timeline: 1–2 months
Phase: Medicaid Enrollment / Broker Credentialing and Readiness Review
Timeline: 60–90 days
Phase: Medicaid Billing Setup and Service Launch
Timeline: 30–45 days
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP)
Website: https://www.in.gov/fssa/ompp/
Southeastrans (NEMT Broker)
Website: https://southeastrans.com/indiana/
Indiana Medicaid Provider Portal
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Website: https://www.cms.gov/

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — INDIANA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDER
WCG assists transportation companies, home care agencies, and NEMT providers in launching Medicaid-compliant Transportation Services across Indiana.
Scope of Work:
Business registration, Medicaid and broker enrollment, and licensing guidance
Development of Transportation Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Staff credentialing templates, trip logs, route planning systems, and emergency protocols
Medicaid billing system setup and claims management assistance
Website, domain, and professional branding development
ADA compliance templates and vehicle inspection checklists
Quality assurance systems for service tracking, driver monitoring, and satisfaction surveys
Referral development with waiver providers, case managers, and hospitals
Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.
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