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How to start a NEMT business in New Jersey: Modivcare, MAV licensing, and enrollment

Updated

New Jersey has one Medicaid transportation broker. Modivcare arranges non-emergency rides for every NJ FamilyCare member, including members of the managed care plans, so its network is the only way into Medicaid MAV, stretcher, and livery trips. Wheelchair and stretcher operators also need a Department of Health license under N.J.A.C. 8:40, and every company working for the broker must be approved by the state Medicaid division.

New Jersey NEMT at a glance

Runs the program
New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS)
Program
NJ FamilyCare non-emergency medical transportation
How rides are arranged
One statewide broker. Modivcare, the state transportation broker, arranges non-emergency rides for all NJ FamilyCare members, fee-for-service and managed care. Emergency ambulance runs outside the broker.
Brokers you will contract with
Modivcare
State operating license
Mobility assistance vehicle (MAV) and BLS ambulance services need Department of Health provider and vehicle licenses under N.J.A.C. 8:40.
EVV for NEMT trips
Not required
Medicaid enrollment
1,788,321 (August 2026, all NJ FamilyCare including CHIP)
On this page

How Medicaid NEMT works in New Jersey

DMAHS runs NJ FamilyCare, which covers Medicaid, CHIP, and state-funded medical assistance. N.J.A.C. 10:50-1.3(e) lets the Division deliver non-emergency transportation through a single broker, and it does: Modivcare arranges rides for NJ FamilyCare members anywhere in the state. The January 2026 managed care contract keeps all non-emergency transportation, including MAV, non-emergency BLS stretcher ambulance, and livery, with the state broker, even for services a health plan covers. Emergency ground and air ambulance runs outside the broker, and the health plans cover it for their members.

Members book at 1-866-527-9933 at least two days before the appointment, up to a month ahead by phone, and further ahead online. Facilities book standing orders and hospital discharges on 1-866-527-9945. Trips run at a set level of service: mass transit, ambulatory livery (curb to curb), ambulatory MAV (door through door), a solo ambulatory ride, wheelchair MAV, BLS stretcher, or specialty care transport. Levels above ambulatory livery are documented on a Medical Necessity Form completed by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse, except that residents of skilled nursing facilities are assigned ambulatory MAV automatically.

For providers that means one broker contract but two state approvals. DMAHS requires every transportation company contracted with the broker to be approved by the Division, which means a NJ FamilyCare provider application through the fiscal agent with an NPI and taxonomy code. MAV and ambulance companies also need their Department of Health license before they carry anyone.

Governing rule:N.J.A.C. 10:50, subchapter 1: Transportation Services Manual, general provisions

Who brokers Medicaid rides in New Jersey

One broker covers the whole state and every NJ FamilyCare plan. Your Modivcare contract and credentialing decide how much Medicaid work you get.

BrokerServesProvider sign-up
ModivcareAll NJ FamilyCare members statewide, fee-for-service and managed care, for mass transit, livery, MAV, BLS stretcher, and specialty care transport trips.Since July 1, 2009.Provider pageReservations 1-866-527-9933; facilities 1-866-527-9945

Modivcare became the state broker on July 1, 2009, under its former name LogistiCare, starting with non-emergency ambulance and MAV trips statewide and livery in Essex and Hudson counties. Today it serves members in every county.

Emergency ground and air ambulance run outside the broker. The managed care plans cover them for their members.

Members at the mass transit level take the bus to any appointment when the pickup and drop-off are within half a mile of a bus stop. Moving a member up a level takes a Medical Necessity Form.

How to become a NEMT provider in New Jersey

Plan on three approvals: DMAHS enrollment, a Department of Health license for MAV or stretcher service, and a Modivcare contract.

  1. Set up a New Jersey business location and dispatch line

    N.J.A.C. 10:50-1.3 requires every independent transportation provider to keep a New Jersey business location and a telephone dispatch service, and to tell the Division within five working days about any change of address or phone, or any interruption of service. The Department of Health also needs a real street address for your principal place of business; a post office box or mail drop is rejected.

    N.J.A.C. 10:50-1.3: General policies for participation

  2. Enroll with NJ FamilyCare

    Get an NPI and taxonomy code from NPPES, then submit the Provider Application (FD-20), Provider Agreement (FD-62), and Ownership and Control Interest Disclosure (CMS-1513) to the NJ FamilyCare fiscal agent. You receive a provider number once approved, must revalidate when DMAHS asks, and an independently enrolled transportation company's ID is cancelled after six months without services.

    N.J.A.C. 10:50-1.3: General policies for participation

  3. License MAV or BLS service with the Department of Health

    Apply to the Office of Emergency Medical Services with every owner listed, a standard operating procedures manual, compliant personnel files, at least one licensable vehicle for each class of service, proof of insurance, incorporation papers, and a State Police criminal history request (SBI 212B) for each owner of 5 percent or more. The Department reviews each owner's track record. Provider and vehicle licenses last up to 24 months.

    N.J.A.C. 8:40-2.1: Application for licensure

  4. Contract and credential with Modivcare

    Apply through Modivcare's transportation provider page. Modivcare checks drivers for a PASS wheelchair certificate, First Aid and CPR, defensive driving, a drug screen, a motor vehicle report, and a background check, and checks vehicles for current registration and state inspection.

    Modivcare: Transportation providers

  5. Certify every MAV crewmember

    MAV crew need a CPR card plus a PAT Technician or MAV Technician certification, or EMT-Basic and CPR if the vehicle carries oxygen equipment. Services that routinely carry children under 8 need pediatric basic life support certification. Keep each crewmember's license, photo ID, and certification cards in a personnel file at your principal place of business.

    N.J.A.C. 8:40-5.3: Required crewmembers

  6. File insurance with the Department of Health

    Have each carrier send a certificate of insurance naming the Department as certificate holder before licensure, listing each vehicle's VIN if vehicles are scheduled autos. Stop all MAV and BLS service immediately if any required coverage lapses.

    N.J.A.C. 8:40-3.3: Insurance

Vehicle and driver requirements in New Jersey

The Department of Health sets MAV and BLS rules in N.J.A.C. 8:40, and DMAHS adds participation rules in N.J.A.C. 10:50. Modivcare credentialing sits on top of both.

Vehicles

RequirementState ruleBroker contract
LicensingEvery MAV licensed by the Department of Health before use; the vehicle license is posted on the rear curbside door window; licenses last up to 24 months (N.J.A.C. 8:40-2.3).Current registration and state inspection on file with Modivcare.
MarkingsTrade name at least 4 inches high on both sides, vehicle number at least 3 inches high on the rear and sides, and the wheelchair access symbol at least 8 inches high on the rear and sides. No Star of Life, no emergency lights, and no "ambulance" unless it is in the company's legal name (8:40-5.9).Same.
Ramps and liftsA permanently fastened ramp or automatic lift rated for at least 500 pounds, with a manual backup that raises or lowers a passenger within five minutes (8:40-5.7).Same.
Business locationA New Jersey business location and telephone dispatch service (N.J.A.C. 10:50-1.3).Same.

Drivers

RequirementState ruleBroker contract
Age and licenseAt least 18 with a valid driver's license; identification showing the crewmember's name and the provider; uniform appearance (8:40-4.1).Modivcare: motor vehicle report and background check.
CertificationCPR plus PAT Technician or MAV Technician certification; EMT-Basic and CPR when the vehicle carries oxygen; pediatric BLS for services that routinely carry children under 8 (8:40-5.3).Modivcare: PASS wheelchair certificate, First Aid and CPR, and defensive driving.
Second crewmemberRequired when moving a wheelchair user up or down five or more steps, or a wheelchair user of 200 pounds or more up or down two or more steps (8:40-5.3).Same.
OwnersState Police criminal history check for every owner of 5 percent or more, and a track record review of each owner's past licenses (8:40-2.1 and 2.2).Modivcare runs its own background checks on drivers.
Personnel filesEach crewmember's license, photo ID, PAT Technician, MAV Technician, or EMT-Basic card, and CPR card kept at the principal place of business (8:40-3.8).Modivcare: drug screening for drivers.

Insurance minimums in New Jersey

The Department of Health sets MAV and BLS minimums in N.J.A.C. 8:40-3.3, and DMAHS requires workers compensation and auto coverage on every vehicle under N.J.A.C. 10:50-1.9. Modivcare adds its own coverage list.

CoverageMinimumSet by
Auto liability, each MAV or BLS vehicle$500,000 per occurrence combined bodily injury and property damageN.J.A.C. 8:40-3.3
General liability (premises and operations)$300,000 single limitN.J.A.C. 8:40-3.3
Professional (malpractice) liability, BLS only$300,000 per occurrence; may combine with general liability in one $500,000 policyN.J.A.C. 8:40-3.3
Workers compensationAs required by N.J.S.A. 34:15-1 et seq.N.J.A.C. 10:50-1.9
Modivcare networkCommercial general liability, sexual abuse and molestation coverage, auto liability, and workers compensationBroker contract

Does New Jersey require EVV for NEMT?

No. NJ FamilyCare applies EVV to personal care services, including personal care assistance, home based supportive care, and in-home respite (managed care contract, January 2026). NEMT is not included.

Modivcare controls the trip record instead. Every trip starts with a Modivcare reservation, and anything above ambulatory livery needs a Medical Necessity Form that describes the member's condition, with one level of service chosen. DMAHS rules also cover recordkeeping, a complaint log, program integrity, and audits for transportation providers (N.J.A.C. 10:50-1.14 to 1.17).

NJ FamilyCare managed care contract (January 2026)

What changed in New Jersey in 2025 and 2026

NJ FamilyCare covered 1,788,321 people in August 2026, including 809,377 children in the children's eligibility groups and 195,406 people who qualify through disability.

Every NJ FamilyCare ride runs through one broker, fee-for-service and managed care alike, so Modivcare credentialing is the only door to Medicaid MAV, stretcher, and livery trips. Rates are set in the Modivcare contract.

Modivcare filed for Chapter 11 on August 20, 2025 and emerged on December 29, 2025 with its funded debt cut by more than 85 percent.

  1. LogistiCare, now Modivcare, becomes the state broker for non-emergency ambulance and MAV trips statewide and livery in Essex and Hudson counties.

    Notice

  2. Modivcare files for Chapter 11.

    Notice

  3. Modivcare emerges from Chapter 11 with its funded debt cut by more than 85 percent.

    Notice

  4. The NJ FamilyCare managed care contract keeps all non-emergency transportation with the state broker.

    Notice

  5. NJ FamilyCare enrollment stands at 1,788,321.

    Notice

Frequently asked questions

Who is the NEMT broker in New Jersey?
Modivcare. It arranges non-emergency rides for all NJ FamilyCare members anywhere in the state, including members of the managed care plans. Members book at 1-866-527-9933 and facilities at 1-866-527-9945. Emergency ambulance runs outside the broker.
Do I need a license to run NEMT in New Jersey?
For wheelchair (MAV) or stretcher (BLS ambulance) service, yes. The Department of Health licenses the provider and each vehicle under N.J.A.C. 8:40 before any trip, and licenses last up to 24 months. Every company working for Modivcare also needs NJ FamilyCare approval with an NPI and taxonomy code.
Do I have to enroll with NJ Medicaid if I only work for Modivcare?
Yes. N.J.A.C. 10:50-1.3 requires the broker to use only transportation companies approved by DMAHS. Submit the FD-20 application, FD-62 agreement, and CMS-1513 disclosure to the NJ FamilyCare fiscal agent, with your NPI and taxonomy code.
What insurance does a New Jersey MAV company need?
At least $500,000 per occurrence combined bodily injury and property damage for each vehicle and $300,000 of general liability, with the Department of Health as certificate holder. BLS ambulance services add $300,000 of malpractice coverage. Workers compensation is required as state law demands, and Modivcare adds sexual abuse and molestation coverage.
What training do MAV drivers need in New Jersey?
Each crewmember needs CPR and a PAT Technician or MAV Technician certification, or EMT-Basic and CPR if the vehicle carries oxygen equipment. Services that routinely carry children under 8 need pediatric BLS. Modivcare also asks for PASS wheelchair training, First Aid, and defensive driving.
Which NJ FamilyCare trips need a Medical Necessity Form?
Any level above ambulatory livery: ambulatory MAV, wheelchair MAV, BLS stretcher, specialty care transport, or a solo ride. A physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse completes it, chooses one level of service, and describes the member's condition at the time of transport.
Does New Jersey require EVV for NEMT?
No. NJ FamilyCare EVV covers personal care services such as personal care assistance, home based supportive care, and in-home respite. NEMT trips are controlled through Modivcare reservations and Medical Necessity Forms instead.

Running NEMT in New Jersey with HealthRide

New Jersey providers answer to one broker, but MAV licenses, crew certifications, and Modivcare credentialing all expire on different dates. Credential expiry reminders and assignment guards in HealthRide keep drivers with lapsed credentials off the schedule.

Standing orders for dialysis and therapy become recurring trips, so you schedule them once and HealthRide keeps them going. The driver app captures signatures on screen.

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