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How to start a NEMT business in Montana: the Modivcare transition, rates, and rules

Updated

For rides on or after October 1, 2026, Modivcare is Montana's statewide NEMT broker. It runs the member reservation line, provider enrollment, and billing. Rides through September 30, 2026 ran on the older model, where Mountain-Pacific Quality Health authorized each trip and enrolled companies billed Montana Medicaid directly. Members have booked with Modivcare since September 1, 2026. If you run rides in Montana, you enroll and bill through Modivcare.

Montana NEMT at a glance

Runs the program
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Health Resources Division
Program
Montana Healthcare Programs Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
How rides are arranged
One statewide broker. For rides on or after October 1, 2026, Modivcare arranges trips and runs provider enrollment and billing statewide. Before that, providers billed Montana Medicaid directly for trips Mountain-Pacific authorized.
Brokers you will contract with
Modivcare
State operating license
No NEMT license. The Medicaid rule still ties wheelchair and stretcher vans to a PSC class B license, a class state motor carrier law no longer lists.
EVV for NEMT trips
Not required
Medicaid enrollment
182,556 (May 2026, Medicaid only)
On this page

How Medicaid NEMT works in Montana

DPHHS covers non-emergency rides for Montana Medicaid members who have no other way to reach covered care. There are three kinds: personal transportation, where the member or a friend drives and gets mileage; commercial transportation by taxi, bus, or air; and specialized non-emergency transportation in wheelchair or stretcher vans for members who are wheelchair-bound or need a stretcher. Healthy Montana Kids (CHIP) and Mental Health Services Plan members do not get these transportation benefits.

Under the program that ran through September 30, 2026, every trip needed prior authorization from the Mountain Pacific Medicaid Transportation Center, which faxed providers a list of approved transports with a prior authorization number. Providers enrolled with Montana Healthcare Programs as provider type 23 (commercial) or 24 (specialized), billed electronically or on a CMS-1500 claim with that number, and filed within 12 months. On the state fee schedule, trips under 16 miles pay a flat one-way fee and longer trips pay per loaded mile.

For rides on or after October 1, 2026, the program runs through a broker. DPHHS signed Modivcare to run NEMT for Montana Healthcare Programs, and Mountain-Pacific's administrative and operational work shifts to Modivcare. Enrollment and claims move from the state's contractor, Conduent, to Modivcare, which contacts current providers with the steps to stay enrolled and enrolls new ones. The program has an app for phones, tablets, and computers that handles scheduling, billing, documentation, and ride tracking. Members book routine rides at least three business days ahead. Prior authorization is needed for rides beyond 100 miles one way or 200 miles round trip, rides out of state, meal and lodging costs, and attendant costs.

Governing rule:Montana Healthcare Programs: Commercial and Specialized Non-Emergency Transportation Services manual

Who brokers Medicaid rides in Montana

One broker, Modivcare, arranges Montana Medicaid rides statewide on or after October 1, 2026. Rides before that date ran without a broker: Mountain-Pacific authorized each trip, and enrolled companies billed Montana Medicaid through Conduent.

BrokerServesProvider sign-up
ModivcareAll Montana Medicaid NEMT statewide, including provider enrollment, trip management, and billing.Since October 1, 2026. Replaces Mountain-Pacific authorizations and direct state billing for rides on or after October 1, 2026. Booking opened September 1, 2026, and the member reservation line (800-292-7114) kept its number and runs 24 hours.Provider pageTransportation provider line 866-726-1471

The Medicaid rule lets Indian Health Service and tribal carriers that meet class B standards enroll without a PSC license. The provider manual also exempts organizations funded under the federal 5310 and 5311 transit programs.

For questions about enrolling in the broker program, DPHHS lists its NEMT program officer at 406-444-3337. Montana Provider Relations (800-624-3958) answers claims questions about the earlier program. Facilities call Modivcare's facility line at 866-726-1469.

How to become a NEMT provider in Montana

Modivcare handles all provider enrollment for the Montana broker program that covers rides on or after October 1, 2026, so a new company enrolls through Modivcare rather than the state's contractor.

  1. Form the business and get an NPI

    Register the company, get a federal EIN, and apply for a National Provider Identifier. Montana enrolls organizations under an NPI and a tax ID.

    Montana Healthcare Programs: Provider enrollment

  2. Choose your service type

    Commercial transportation covers taxi, bus, and air trips for members with no special needs. Specialized non-emergency transportation covers wheelchair and stretcher vans. Members must be wheelchair-bound or need a stretcher to qualify for specialized trips, and Medicaid will not pay for them when a less costly mode works.

    Montana Healthcare Programs: Specialized Non-Emergency Transportation

  3. Settle your operating authority

    ARM 37.86.2501 still defines specialized NEMT providers by a PSC class B license. Montana's motor carrier law now lists only Class A, D, and E carriers, so ask DPHHS and Modivcare what operating authority they accept before you buy vans.

    MCA 69-12-301: Classification of motor carriers

  4. Enroll and credential with Modivcare

    Use the transportation provider line (866-726-1471) or Modivcare's provider form. Modivcare's standard checklist asks for each driver's PASS wheelchair certificate, First Aid and CPR, defensive driving certificate, motor vehicle report, drug screen, and background check. Each vehicle needs current registration, a state inspection where one applies, and proof of insurance.

    Modivcare: Become a transportation provider

  5. Keep dispatch records for every trip

    Montana requires commercial providers to keep original dispatch records for Medicaid trips, including the authorized units and the authorization number. Under the program that ran through September 30, 2026, providers billed only loaded miles and only up to what the Transportation Center approved.

    ARM 37.86.2502: Specialized NEMT requirements

Vehicle and driver requirements in Montana

Montana's Medicaid rules are short. They define who qualifies and what records to keep. Most driver and vehicle standards come from Modivcare's credentialing.

Vehicles

RequirementState ruleBroker contract
Operating authorityARM 37.86.2501 defines specialized NEMT as service by a provider with a class B public service commission license. IHS and tribal carriers that meet class B standards need no license. State motor carrier law (MCA 69-12-301) now lists only Class A, D, and E carriers, so confirm with DPHHS and Modivcare.Modivcare credentialing for rides on or after October 1, 2026.
Vehicle typeSpecialized vans must be equipped to carry people with disabilities, such as wheelchair or stretcher vans.Current registration, a state inspection where one applies, and proof of insurance for each vehicle.
Trip recordsOriginal dispatch records with authorized units and the authorization number (ARM 37.86.2502).Modivcare app for scheduling, billing, documentation, and ride tracking.

Drivers

RequirementState ruleBroker contract
Driving record and backgroundNo Medicaid-specific driver rule in ARM 37.86.2501 to 2505.Motor vehicle report and background check for each driver.
Drug testingNot required by the Medicaid transportation rules.Drug screen for each driver.
TrainingNot set by the Medicaid transportation rules.PASS wheelchair certificate, current First Aid and CPR, and defensive driving.

Insurance minimums in Montana

The Medicaid transportation rules set no insurance amount. Montana's auto law sets the floor, and Modivcare sets its own limits in the provider agreement.

CoverageMinimumSet by
Auto liability, any vehicle$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident bodily injury, $20,000 property damageMCA 61-6-103
Commercial general liability, sexual abuse and molestation, and auto liabilityRequired, with limits that vary by stateBroker contract (Modivcare)
Workers compensationRequired for employers with employees, with limited exemptionsMCA 39-71-401

Does Montana require EVV for NEMT?

No. Montana's EVV requirement covers personal care, home health, and other applicable home and community-based services, with full compliance required since July 1, 2024. Non-emergency transportation is not an EVV service.

Trips are checked through authorization and trip records instead. Claims under the program that ran through September 30, 2026 carried the prior authorization number from the Transportation Center. For rides on or after October 1, 2026, Modivcare's app handles ride tracking and documentation, and providers still keep original dispatch records.

Montana DPHHS: Electronic Visit Verification

What changed in Montana in 2025 and 2026

Montana Medicaid covered 182,556 people in May 2026, according to CMS monthly enrollment data. Modivcare's July 2026 Montana presentation lists about 15 state Medicaid contracts, Montana included.

The fee schedule in effect since July 1, 2025 pays $15.30 for a one-way trip under 16 miles and $1.18 per loaded mile for longer trips. Members who drive get 36 cents per mile, $6.43 per meal, and $46.71 per night of lodging when approved. DPHHS said on May 29, 2026 that projected budget shortfalls mean no provider rate adjustments for state fiscal year 2027, outside a few categories required by law. Ask Modivcare for the rates it pays under the broker program.

  1. Montana's current personal, commercial, and specialized transportation fee schedules take effect.

    Notice

  2. DPHHS announces no provider rate adjustments for state fiscal year 2027.

    Notice

  3. DPHHS notifies providers that Modivcare will be the NEMT broker and will take over enrollment and billing.

    Notice

  4. DPHHS and Modivcare present the new program's member, caregiver, and facility tools.

    Notice

  5. Soft go-live: members can book Modivcare rides for October 1 and later, and the transportation provider line (866-726-1471) and facility line (866-726-1469) open.

    Notice

  6. The Modivcare broker model starts for rides on this date and later. Enrollment and claims move from Conduent to Modivcare.

    Notice

Frequently asked questions

Who is the NEMT broker in Montana?
Modivcare, for rides on or after October 1, 2026. Before that date Montana had no broker: Mountain-Pacific Quality Health authorized each trip and providers billed Montana Medicaid directly. Modivcare's transportation provider line is 866-726-1471.
I am already a Montana Medicaid transportation provider. What do I need to do?
Enroll with Modivcare, which handles all provider enrollment for the broker program. DPHHS said Modivcare would contact current providers with the steps to continue, and Modivcare's transportation provider line is 866-726-1471. Questions about claims under the earlier program go to Montana Provider Relations at 800-624-3958.
How does a new company enroll with Montana Medicaid for NEMT?
Through Modivcare. It runs all NEMT provider enrollment for the broker program that covers rides on or after October 1, 2026, in place of the state's contractor, Conduent. Call its transportation provider line at 866-726-1471 or use its provider form. For questions about enrolling, call the DPHHS NEMT program officer at 406-444-3337.
Do I need a PSC license for NEMT in Montana?
The Medicaid rule for wheelchair and stretcher vans (ARM 37.86.2501) still refers to a PSC class B license, but current state motor carrier law lists only Class A, D, and E carriers. Ask DPHHS and Modivcare what operating authority they accept. Indian Health Service and tribal carriers that meet class B standards are exempt.
How much does Montana Medicaid pay for NEMT?
The July 1, 2025 fee schedule pays $15.30 per one-way trip under 16 miles and $1.18 per loaded mile over 16 miles, and member mileage is 36 cents per mile. DPHHS is making no provider rate adjustments for state fiscal year 2027. Ask Modivcare for the rates it pays under the broker program.
Are Healthy Montana Kids members covered for NEMT?
No. Montana's commercial, specialized, and personal transportation services are not available to Healthy Montana Kids (CHIP) or Mental Health Services Plan members.
Does Montana require EVV for NEMT?
No. Montana EVV covers personal care, home health, and similar in-home services. NEMT trips rely on prior authorization numbers and dispatch records instead.

Running NEMT in Montana with HealthRide

Montana providers are changing payers mid-year: direct Medicaid billing through September, Modivcare from October. HealthRide keeps every trip on one dispatch board and records every payment in one ledger, so the switch is a payer change, not a new system.

Driver credential expiration reminders and vehicle inspection tracking help you walk into Modivcare credentialing with a clean roster, and the trip log exports as CSV or PDF when you need records.

See pricing

Official resources

HealthRide plans the whole day in one click and bills every ride.

$59 per vehicle per month. No contracts.

NEMT in other states

Comparing brokers across states?See who arranges Medicaid rides in every state