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TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN INDIANA

  • Writer: Watchen Roberts
    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)

Southeastrans (NEMT Broker)

Indiana Medicaid Provider Portal

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN INDIANA

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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