Michigan - Adult Health Transportation — Licensing, Medicaid Enrollment and Startup Requirements

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) enrolls Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) providers through the Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System (CHAMPS) to deliver rides to covered appointments and MI Choice Waiver services. Approval requires either direct fee-for-service enrollment as an Atypical provider in CHAMPS or subcontracting under a designated Medicaid Health Plan transportation broker, such as SafeRide, or a MI Choice Waiver Prepaid Ambulatory Health Plan (PAHP).

Applicants must secure SIGMA VSS registration and a MiLogin account before accessing the CHAMPS enrollment subsystem. Providers must maintain compliance with the Michigan Vehicle Code and pass monthly federal exclusion and criminal background screenings to maintain active billing status.

1. Service Definition and Scope

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) in Michigan covers transportation for Medicaid beneficiaries to and from medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services. Under the MI Choice Waiver, it also includes transportation to community living supports and adult day care when not otherwise covered.

The service can be delivered via fee-for-service directly to MDHHS or through managed care brokers, depending on the beneficiary's enrollment status.

• Service Name: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT).
• Waiver Coverage: MI Choice Waiver Program.
• Broker Model: Medicaid Health Plans (MHPs) utilize brokers to manage transportation for managed care enrollees.
• Attendant Coverage: Reimburses for one medically necessary attendant or individual with a vested interest.
• Extended Stays: Meals and lodging for stays longer than 14 nights require prior authorization from the MDHHS Program Review Division (PRD).

2. Regulatory and Oversight Agencies

MDHHS oversees the Medicaid program and sets NEMT policy for the state. The Medical Services Administration (MSA) issues provider bulletins and maintains the Medicaid Provider Manual.

Regional waiver agencies and managed care brokers handle direct network management for their respective populations.

• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS): Administers Medicaid and sets NEMT policy (https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs).
• CHAMPS Provider Enrollment: The MMIS portal for all Medicaid provider registrations (https://milogintp.michigan.gov).
• SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS): State of Michigan payee registration system required before CHAMPS enrollment (https://sigma.michigan.gov/webapp/PRDVSS2X1/AltSelfService).
• MI Choice Waiver Agencies (PAHPs): Regional entities like The Senior Alliance that contract directly with HCBS transportation providers (https://thesenioralliance.org).

3. Gatekeeping Prerequisites: Who Can Even Apply

Michigan does not require a Certificate of Need for NEMT, but access to billing depends entirely on the beneficiary's enrollment. Fee-for-service (FFS) providers can enroll directly in CHAMPS, but managed care and waiver services require closed-network contracting.

Providers must complete state vendor registration before the Medicaid portal will accept an application.

• Waiver Agency Contracting: MI Choice Waiver transportation requires a direct contract with a regional PAHP; CHAMPS enrollment alone does not guarantee waiver referrals.
• MHP Broker Subcontracting: Serving managed care enrollees requires subcontracting with the MHP's designated broker (e.g., SafeRide for Priority Health).
• SIGMA VSS Registration: Mandatory prerequisite state vendor registration before a CHAMPS application can be initiated.
• MiLogin Account: Required identity management credential to access the CHAMPS Provider Domain Administrator setup.

4. Licensure and Certification Requirements

Michigan does not issue a distinct NEMT license at the state health department level. Instead, providers must comply with standard commercial transportation laws and the Michigan Vehicle Code.

Vehicles and drivers must meet safety standards appropriate for the medical needs of the passengers being transported.

• Vehicle Code Compliance: Drivers must comply with Sections 304 and 319 of the Michigan Vehicle Code regarding restricted or suspended licenses.
• Commercial Licensure: Maintenance of all necessary chauffeur licenses and local ordinances applicable to commercial transportation.
• ADA Compliance: Vehicles must meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards when transporting individuals requiring wheelchair access.
• Liability Insurance: Must maintain commercial auto liability insurance as required by public transportation laws.

5. Medicaid Provider Enrollment

NEMT providers enroll in Michigan Medicaid as Atypical providers via the CHAMPS system. Providers must select the correct enrollment track to ensure they can bill FFS or contract with MHPs.

Selecting the wrong track is a frequent cause of claim denials for new transportation companies.

• Enrollment Track A: Full FFS enrollment via CHAMPS for direct billing of FFS beneficiaries.
• Enrollment Track B: 21st Century Cures Act enrollment for managed care network compliance (does not authorize FFS billing).
• Atypical Provider Classification: NEMT providers enroll using the Atypical pathway since they do not provide standard medical care requiring an NPI.
• Application Fee: Subject to the federal application fee unless enrolled solely as an individual driver or waived under specific Atypical classifications.

6. Staffing, Training and Background Checks

MDHHS requires comprehensive background screening for all NEMT drivers and attendants. These checks must be verified monthly to ensure no federal exclusions exist.

The state reserves the right to revoke enrollment if a driver's license is restricted or suspended.

• Criminal Background Check: All direct (drivers) and indirect (attendants) staff must consent to criminal offense screenings.
• OIG Exclusion Verification: Providers must verify staff monthly against the U.S. HHS Office of Inspector General Exclusions Program website.
• Adverse Action Reporting: Providers must report any adverse actions (suspensions, enrollment denials) to the MDHHS Office of Inspector General.
• Driver Qualifications: Must hold a valid, unrestricted Michigan driver's license and operate vehicles meeting the medical needs of the beneficiary.

7. Documentation, Policies and Records

Enrolled providers must maintain strict documentation to support claims and business disclosures. MDHHS requires disclosure of significant business transactions and ownership.

Financial documentation must match exactly across state vendor and Medicaid systems.

• Ownership Disclosure: Must disclose 5-percent ownership and control interests per 42 CFR 455.104 during CHAMPS enrollment.
• Business Transactions: Must report any significant business transactions with wholly owned suppliers or subcontractors within the past five years.
• W-9 Form: Certified W-9 with a Tax ID matching the CHAMPS application and SIGMA registration.
• EFT Authorization: Voided check or bank verification letter for Electronic Funds Transfer setup in SIGMA.

8. Billing, Rates and Claims

MDHHS publishes historical and current NEMT Rate Schedules annually. Reimbursement is the lesser of the maximum state rate or the provider's usual and customary charge.

Managed care claims must be routed through the respective broker rather than the state MMIS.

• Rate Schedule: MDHHS updates the NEMT Rate Schedule annually on its billing and reimbursement page.
• Reimbursement Cap: Medicaid reimburses at the maximum rate listed on the database or the provider's usual and customary charge, whichever is less.
• Receipt Requirements: Itemized, unaltered receipts are required for authorized meals and lodging reimbursement.
• MHP Claims: Claims for managed care enrollees must be submitted to the contracted broker (e.g., SafeRide), not through CHAMPS FFS.

9. Approval Sequence and Timeline

The enrollment sequence begins outside of the Medicaid portal with state vendor registration. Once prerequisites are met, the CHAMPS application is submitted for state review.

Waiver and managed care contracting add additional credentialing steps after CHAMPS approval.

• Step 1: Register the business entity in the SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS) system.
• Step 2: Create a MiLogin account and establish the Provider Domain Administrator role.
• Step 3: Submit the Atypical provider enrollment application through the CHAMPS portal.
• Step 4: Complete MHP broker credentialing or MI Choice PAHP contracting for managed care/waiver access.

10. Common Denials and Survey Findings

MDHHS and the Office of the Auditor General monitor NEMT services for compliance. Enrollment and claim denials frequently stem from administrative mismatches or failure to understand enrollment tracks.

Background check failures are a primary source of provider revocation.

• Track Confusion: Enrolling under Track B (Cures-only) and attempting to bill FFS, resulting in immediate claim denials.
• License Suspensions: MDHHS revokes or denies enrollment if a driver is found to have a restricted or suspended license under the Michigan Vehicle Code.
• Exclusion Failures: Failure to conduct and document monthly OIG federal exclusion checks for all drivers and attendants.
• Tax ID Mismatches: Discrepancies between the W-9, SIGMA VSS registration, and CHAMPS application names or TINs.

11. Key Contacts and Resources

Providers should utilize MDHHS provider support and the CHAMPS portal for enrollment assistance. Managed care contracting requires contacting the specific health plans or their brokers.

Waiver providers must contact their regional PAHP directly.

• MDHHS Provider Support: [email protected] or 1-800-979-4662 for CHAMPS enrollment questions.
• CHAMPS Portal: https://milogintp.michigan.gov
• SIGMA VSS: https://sigma.michigan.gov/webapp/PRDVSS2X1/AltSelfService
• Priority Health Medicaid Transportation (SafeRide): [email protected] (Medicaid Operations Manager).

See all Michigan services · Michigan Medicaid consulting · book a consultation.