1. Program Definition and Services
Transportation Services in Tennessee provide safe, specialized non-emergency transit for individuals with disabilities, mobility limitations, and complex health needs. The program aims to link individuals to vital community day services, work sites, and healthcare systems, averting isolation. Services include:
- Community-Based Transit: Rides to and from integrated job settings, vocational training, adult day care programs, and civic social activities
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): Brokered transports to routine medical appointments, clinical therapies, and specialty care visits
2. Regulations
The program is governed by the following regulations:
- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commercial Vehicle Regulations
- TennCare Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1200-13-01 (Medicaid Non-Emergency Transit and Waiver Support Rules)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Transit Regulations
- Tennessee Motor Vehicle Title and Registration Statutes (TCA Title 55)
3. Licensing or Certification
Providers must be approved by the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD), contracted by TennCare MCO networks, or certified via the state’s NEMT broker network.
4. Responsible State Agency
The Bureau of TennCare, the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD), and the state's contracted NEMT Broker (ModivCare) are responsible for checking vehicle assets and certifying transportation services providers.
5. Application Process
The application process is conducted through the electronic ModivCare Provider Portal, TennCare MCO channels, or the DIDD application system. Providers must submit vehicle lists online to initiate onboarding.
6. Required Documentation
While specific documentation requirements vary based on the target waiver, providers typically need to submit:
- Proof of compliance with state auto inspections, current vehicle registrations, and commercial safety rules
- Transportation Services Policy & Procedure Manual (covering accident logs and wheelchair lift protocols)
- Driver staff commercial licenses, clean Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs), and training verifications
- Proof of high-limit commercial auto liability, fleet insurance, and general liability coverage
7. Timeline for Approval
The exact timeline for approval fluctuates based on agency capacity. Providers should contact the ModivCare Network Operations team or DIDD for detailed information on current inspection and onboarding timeframes.
8. Pre-Application Process
Prospective providers must complete specific foundation tasks before applying. They must establish the transit entity with the TN Secretary of State, secure an EIN, and obtain a Type 2 National Provider Identifier (NPI).
9. Pre-Application Training
The state hosts mandatory administrative and compliance training sessions online. Access details for Passenger Assistance Techniques (PAT) and incident documentation models are sent to qualified drivers once preliminary paperwork is reviewed.
10. Additional Notes
- Providers must ensure that specialized lift van fleets meet all state DOT accessibility and environmental safety guidelines
- Community waiver transit must be mapped directly to authorized trip targets inside the individual's current service plan
- All driver staff must conduct mandatory background clearances, drug screenings, and fingerprinting checks before transporting participants
- Providers must maintain detailed records of face-to-face pick-ups, GPS route mileage metrics, and daily logbooks for Medicaid documentation and billing
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