SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES BY ENSURING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL MEDICAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES

Adult Health Transportation Services in Alabama are designed to provide non-emergency transportation for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who require reliable access to medical appointments, day programs, therapies, and other waiver-authorized services. These services are critical to ensuring continuity of care, social participation, and independence. Transportation services are authorized under Alabama’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers and must meet standards set by the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH).

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH)
Role: Regulates provider approval, safety standards, and service compliance for HCBS-authorized transportation services

Agency: Alabama Medicaid Agency
Role: Handles Medicaid enrollment, service billing, and reimbursement for non-emergency Adult Health Transportation

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure that Medicaid-funded transportation services are delivered in compliance with waiver requirements

2. ADULT HEALTH TRANSPORTATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Adult Health Transportation Services assist eligible individuals with IDD in safely traveling to and from authorized medical, therapy, and support services. Providers may deliver:

• Door-to-door transportation to waiver-approved destinations
• Scheduled rides to medical appointments, therapy sessions, or day programs
• Transportation to health-related community resources or activities in the person-centered plan
• Assistance boarding and exiting vehicles (non-lifting)
• Vehicle safety and monitoring during transit

All services must be non-emergency in nature and authorized in the individual’s service plan. Transportation must support the individual’s health, safety, and functional needs.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Alabama Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Acquire necessary vehicle insurance and registration
• Maintain ADA-compliant and well-maintained vehicles
• Establish transportation routes and service areas
• Hire qualified drivers with clean driving records and background checks
• Implement scheduling, dispatch, and documentation systems

4. ADMH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Request the Adult Health Transportation Provider Application Packet from ADMH
• Submit a service plan outlining vehicle safety procedures, driver qualifications, scheduling, and maintenance protocols
• Include sample trip logs, incident reports, and consumer consent forms

Background & Credentialing:

• Background checks and drug screening for all drivers and staff
• Valid driver’s licenses, clean MVRs, and CPR/first aid certification for drivers
• Proof of commercial auto insurance and liability coverage

Program Readiness Review:

• Vehicle inspections and maintenance documentation
• Evaluation of transportation logs, service verification tools, and tracking systems
• Safety protocols for transporting individuals with physical or behavioral challenges

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Once approved by ADMH, enroll with Alabama Medicaid as a provider of Adult Health Transportation Services
• Add appropriate transportation billing codes to your Medicaid profile

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or LLC Certificate
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• Vehicle registration and insurance certificates

ADMH-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Driver qualifications and training documentation
• Trip scheduling and documentation standards
• Consumer pick-up/drop-off protocols
• Emergency procedures and incident response
• Vehicle inspection, maintenance, and sanitation records
• Confidentiality, fraud prevention, and consumer rights policies
• Signed transportation consent forms and trip verification logs

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Transportation Services Manager
Requirements: Background in transportation operations or human services; experience coordinating non-emergency medical transportation preferred

Role: Driver
Requirements: High school diploma or GED; valid Alabama driver’s license; clean driving record; CPR and First Aid certification; completion of ADMH-required training

All staff must complete:

• ADMH orientation and HCBS Waiver training
• Annual safety, defensive driving, and emergency protocol training
• Training in client confidentiality, incident reporting, and ethical conduct

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Alabama Medicaid Waivers authorize Adult Health Transportation Services:

• ID Waiver (Intellectual Disabilities Waiver)
• LAH Waiver (Living at Home Waiver)
• State of Alabama Community Waiver Program

Approved providers may deliver:

• Transportation to/from medical, therapeutic, and waiver-authorized services
• Support during travel to maintain individual safety and well-being
• Documentation of trips and mileage for Medicaid billing and compliance

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation
Timeline: 0–1 week

Phase: ADMH Application Review
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Vehicle Procurement and Program Setup
Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment
Timeline: 60–90 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) – Division of Developmental Disabilities
Email: ddprovider@mh.alabama.gov
Phone: (334) 242-3702
Website: https://mh.alabama.gov

Alabama Medicaid Agency – Waiver Services
Website: https://medicaid.alabama.gov

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business formation (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• ADMH provider application and vehicle compliance documentation
• Transportation Policy & Procedure Manual development
• Driver recruitment, training, and background verification
• Medicaid enrollment and billing setup
• Route planning tools, trip verification forms, and safety documentation templates
• WEBSITE, DOMAIN, AND EMAIL SETUP
• CLIENT ADMISSION PACKET
• MARKETING AND ADVERTISING MATERIALS
• OPERATIONAL TRAINING
• COMPLIANCE AND REGULATORY SUPPORT
• QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMS
• MARKETING AND CLIENT ACQUISITION STRATEGIES