What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is the joint federal and state health coverage program for people with limited income, including many seniors, people with disabilities and children. Federal regulation (42 CFR 431.53) requires every state Medicaid program to assure that beneficiaries can get to and from covered medical services, which is the legal foundation of the non-emergency medical transportation benefit.

Why Medicaid matters for NEMT

Medicaid is the one major public health program where NEMT is a required benefit (a few states hold federal waivers for some enrollee groups). States deliver the benefit either through a broker, through managed care organizations, or directly through fee-for-service billing. Which model your state uses determines who credentials you, who pays you and what rates you can earn. Because the benefit is federally required, Medicaid NEMT demand is durable across economic cycles, which is why it anchors most NEMT business plans.

Related terms

• Managed Care Organization (MCO)
• NEMT Broker
• Fee-for-Service Medicaid
• Veterans Affairs Transportation
• Medicare Advantage