# Modivcare Takes Over MaineCare Rides in the Midcoast Region on July 1, 2026

Canonical URL: https://nemtguide.com/news/maine-midcoast-modivcare/ · Updated 2026-09-30

On July 1, 2026, Modivcare Solutions, LLC began scheduling MaineCare non-emergency transportation (NET) rides for the midcoast region. That region covers Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc counties, plus the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell in Cumberland County. Maine's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced it in a provider bulletin on June 24, 2026. Modivcare replaced Waldo Community Action Partners (Waldo CAP), which had brokered the region, Region 5, since 2014.

## What changed on July 1, 2026

| Item | Before July 1, 2026 | From July 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Broker for Region 5 | Waldo Community Action Partners | Modivcare |
| Area | Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc counties, plus Brunswick and Harpswell | Same area |
| Member ride line on the state's broker list | Waldo CAP's lines | 1-877-659-1308 |
| Line for clinics and facilities | Waldo CAP's lines | 1-877-659-1305, or online through Modivcare's TripCare platform |

Facilities could book with Modivcare from June 17, 2026 for appointments on or after July 1. The state's broker list, updated July 1, 2026, shows Modivcare for Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc counties. Modivcare's Maine facilities page lists Brunswick and Harpswell under Region 5, and the rest of Cumberland County under Region 6. With the midcoast added, Modivcare arranges rides in six of Maine's eight regions. On that list, Penquis still covers Kennebec, Somerset, Piscataquis, and most of Penobscot County.

## Why the broker changed

DHHS posted a request for proposals for all eight NET regions on May 15, 2023, and Modivcare scored highest in Region 5. Proposals were scored out of 25 points for qualifications and experience, 50 for proposed services, and 25 for a signed form agreeing to the state and federal rates. Waldo CAP had the region's best score for proposed services, 48 of 50. Reviewers took 7 points off its qualifications score, leaving 18 of 25, because it left two of three required project examples blank.

Waldo CAP appealed. A state appeal committee upheld the award on April 18, 2024, and the Business and Consumer Docket did the same on January 28, 2025. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court held the award while it heard the case. On February 10, 2026, it affirmed the award and lifted that hold (2026 ME 13). The same court upheld Modivcare's awards for four other regions on August 4, 2026. See [the court ruling on Regions 2, 3, 4, and 8](https://nemtguide.com/news/maine-court-upholds-modivcare/).

## How much work the midcoast region carries

DHHS's quarterly report shows the size of the region just before the switch.

| Measure, April to June 2026 | Waldo CAP (Region 5) |
|---|---|
| NET trips arranged | 60,070 |
| Share of all NET trips in Maine | 11.23% |
| Trips in an average month | 20,023 |
| On-time rate, monthly average | 92.06%, against a contract standard of 85% or better |
| Missed trips, monthly average | 0.44%, against a contract maximum of 1% |

Those trips now run through Modivcare. On May 4, 2026, Modivcare announced that it would work with Waldo CAP to bring its services to Region 5.

## What it means for transportation providers

A company that drove midcoast MaineCare rides for Waldo CAP now needs an agreement with Modivcare to keep getting them. Apply with the form on Modivcare's Become a Transportation Provider page. It asks for drivers' PASS wheelchair certificates, first aid and CPR, defensive driving, drug screens, motor vehicle reports, and background checks. It also asks for current registration, a state inspection, and proof of insurance. The [Modivcare guide](https://nemtguide.com/brokers/modivcare/) covers its network rules and claims.

MaineCare's own rules still apply under any broker. Chapter II, Section 113 of the MaineCare Benefits Manual, last updated April 5, 2015, sets these driver standards:

| Standard | Section 113 rule |
|---|---|
| Driving record | No more than two chargeable accidents or moving violations in the previous three years |
| License | No suspension or revocation in the last five years, with a narrow exception for child support |
| Training | Passenger assistance training such as PASS, defensive driving, customer service, and cultural and disability sensitivity, within 30 days of starting service or of hire |
| First aid | First aid and CPR certification within 60 days of the first date of operations |
| Phones | No headphones, except one earpiece for the company's two-way communication system, and no hand-held phone or texting while driving |

Section 113 also defines a late ride. A pickup is late when it comes more than 15 minutes after the scheduled time. A drop-off is late when it comes more than 5 minutes after its scheduled time. A return pickup from an appointment is late when it comes more than 30 minutes after its scheduled time. See [PASS certification](https://nemtguide.com/glossary/pass-certification/) for the training most brokers accept.

## How clinics and riders book midcoast rides now

Modivcare's guide for Region 5 facilities, posted by DHHS, sets these rules:

- Book at least 2 business days before the appointment, and up to 30 days ahead.
- Routine reservations run Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.
- Confirmed urgent trips and hospital discharges are taken 24 hours a day, and a facility representative must schedule a discharge ride.
- A standing order covers appointments at least once a week for 90 days.
- Rides can be by mass transit, mileage reimbursement, wheelchair vehicle, sedan, van, taxi, or rideshare.
- For a late ride, call the Ride Assist line at 877-659-1308.

Pass these lines to the dialysis units and clinics you serve.

## What midcoast providers should do now

1. **Finish Modivcare credentialing.** Get every driver and vehicle on file before you take a midcoast trip.
2. **Close out Waldo CAP billing.** Settle any rides you gave before July 1, 2026 under your Waldo CAP agreement, and keep every trip record.
3. **Check your training dates.** Hold new drivers to Section 113's 30-day training and 60-day first aid and CPR deadlines.
4. **Update facility contacts.** Give each clinic the facility line, 1-877-659-1305, and the TripCare option.
5. **Watch the Penquis counties.** The state extended Penquis's agreements for Kennebec, Somerset, Penobscot, and Piscataquis counties through December 31, 2026, and the court has since upheld Modivcare's awards there. Check the MaineCare provider bulletins for the switch date.

For vehicle, insurance, and business setup rules, see the [Maine state guide](https://nemtguide.com/states/maine/). For Penquis's current network, see the Penquis guide.

## Key dates

| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 15, 2023 | DHHS posts the NET request for proposals for all eight regions |
| April 18, 2024 | A state appeal committee upholds the Region 5 award |
| January 28, 2025 | The Business and Consumer Docket upholds the Region 5 award |
| February 10, 2026 | The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirms the award (2026 ME 13) |
| May 4, 2026 | Modivcare announces it will work with Waldo CAP in Region 5 |
| June 17, 2026 | Facilities can book midcoast rides with Modivcare for appointments from July 1 |
| June 24, 2026 | DHHS posts its provider bulletin on the change |
| July 1, 2026 | Modivcare starts scheduling midcoast MaineCare rides |