ENABLING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, AND DAILY NEEDS THROUGH RELIABLE NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION (NEMT)

Transportation Assistance Services in Louisiana provide non-emergency rides for Medicaid participants to access medical appointments, waiver services, and essential community supports. These services reduce isolation, ensure continuity of care, and promote independent living for individuals who cannot drive or safely use public transportation due to age, disability, or medical need.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) — Bureau of Health Services Financing (BHSF)
Role: Oversees the Medicaid State Plan transportation benefit and waiver-based transportation assistance

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) under Bayou Health
Role: Coordinates and authorizes non-emergency transportation services, manages scheduling vendors, and processes claims

Agency: Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) / Molina Medicaid Solutions
Role: Manages Medicaid provider enrollment, billing, and payment processing

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure transportation services comply with Medicaid access and equity standards

2. TRANSPORTATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Transportation Assistance, also known as Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) or Waiver Transportation, includes scheduled, door-to-door rides to:

• Doctor’s appointments, clinics, and therapy sessions
• Waiver day programs or service locations (e.g., adult day health, employment support)
• Pharmacies, labs, or medical supply centers
• Community integration and waiver-based skill-building activities
• Transitional appointments (e.g., housing, employment, mental health support)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Ambulatory transport (standard vehicles)
• Wheelchair-accessible van service
• Curb-to-curb or door-to-door assistance
• Scheduling, coordination, and mileage tracking
• Escort and wait-time services (when approved)

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Louisiana Secretary of State
• Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
• Enroll with Louisiana Medicaid as a transportation provider via the Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
• Complete credentialing with MCO transportation brokers (e.g., Modivcare)
• Hold valid Louisiana Commercial Vehicle Insurance
• Maintain a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Permit (issued by LDH or local regulatory body)
• Ensure all vehicles are ADA-compliant (for wheelchair services)
• Implement a Transportation Policy & Procedure Manual and trip documentation system
• Comply with HIPAA and participant safety guidelines

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Option A: NEMT Provider (for State Plan or MCO Rides)

• Apply through https://www.lamedicaid.com
• Credential with MCO transportation vendor (e.g., Modivcare, OneCall)
• Submit fleet, driver, and insurance documentation

Option B: Waiver Transportation Provider

• Enroll under the applicable HCBS waiver
• Submit policies and driver credentialing documentation
• Coordinate authorizations through support coordinators or MCO waiver care teams

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or sole proprietorship filing
• IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
• Proof of commercial auto and liability insurance
• Driver licenses and background check documentation
• ADA certification (if applicable)

Transportation Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

• Trip logs and mileage documentation templates
• Vehicle maintenance records
• Participant consent and service agreements
• Emergency preparedness and safety checklists
• Incident reporting and complaint procedures
• Staff training logs and time sheets
• Billing logs and audit-ready documentation

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Transportation Driver
Requirements: Valid Louisiana driver’s license; clean driving record, background check and drug screening, trained in CPR/First Aid (recommended), knowledgeable in ADA assistance

Role: Dispatcher or Scheduler (optional for agencies)
Requirements: Experience with scheduling software, Medicaid compliance, and communication with participants and care teams

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• Defensive driving and vehicle safety
• HIPAA and confidentiality
• Assisting riders with disabilities or mobility needs
• Emergency response and evacuation procedures
• Documentation and timekeeping compliance

7. MEDICAID WAIVER & TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS

Transportation Assistance Services are reimbursed under:

• Louisiana Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
• Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
• New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
• Supports Waiver
• Children’s Choice Waiver
• Community Choices Waiver (CCW)
• EPSDT and Money Follows the Person (MFP) for transition rides

Approved services include:

• Single or recurring medical trip authorizations
• Mileage reimbursement (for self-arranged transporters)
• Vehicle-based service billing through MCOs
• Documentation aligned with care plans and authorization guidelines

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration and Vehicle Setup
Timeline: 2–3 weeks

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MCO Broker Credentialing
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Driver Hiring and Policy Manual Development
Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Trip Authorization and Service Launch
Timeline: Ongoing, based on referral or MCO ride assignment

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Website: https://www.lamedicaid.com

​Louisiana Department of Health – Transportation Services
Website: https://ldh.la.gov

​Modivcare (Transportation Vendor for Many MCOs)
Website: https://www.modivcare.com

​Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD)
Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/121

​Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS)
Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/119

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration and Medicaid enrollment
• Credentialing with MCOs and NEMT brokers
• Transportation Policy & Procedure Manual development
• Trip log templates, incident reports, and billing documentation
• HIPAA-compliant intake forms and scheduling systems
• Driver onboarding, credentialing logs, and safety training support
• Referral networking with waiver support coordinators and discharge planners

Waiver Consulting Group supports RNs, clinicians, and home care agencies in launching fully licensed and Medicaid-approved Home Health Care services across Louisiana.

​To get started, click the link to request portal access