NEMT Guide newsNEMT industry news for providers: broker contract changes, new state Medicaid rules, rate updates, and deadlines, each linked to the official notice.https://nemtguide.com/news/en-usBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and of Illinois Move Medicaid Rides to MTM Health on October 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/bcbs-texas-illinois-mtm-health/https://nemtguide.com/news/bcbs-texas-illinois-mtm-health/Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and of Illinois move Medicaid rides from Modivcare to MTM Health on October 1, 2026. What ride companies should do now.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersTexasIllinoisDC Keeps MTM Health on Fee-for-Service Medicaid Rides Through December 31, 2026 While a Protest Is Decidedhttps://nemtguide.com/news/dc-mtm-contract-extension/https://nemtguide.com/news/dc-mtm-contract-extension/MTM Health keeps brokering DC Medicaid fee-for-service rides through December 31, 2026, while its protest of the Verida award is decided. What to do now.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersDistrict of ColumbiaVirginia Moves Fee-for-Service Medicaid Rides from Modivcare to MTM Health on October 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/virginia-ffs-nemt-mtm-health/https://nemtguide.com/news/virginia-ffs-nemt-mtm-health/MTM Health now arranges Virginia fee-for-service Medicaid rides scheduled from October 1, 2026, in place of Modivcare. Who it affects and what to do now.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersVirginiaOhio Law Taking Effect October 6, 2026 Requires GPS Verification of Medicaid NEMT Trips Within 18 Monthshttps://nemtguide.com/news/ohio-sb-315-nemt-gps-verification/https://nemtguide.com/news/ohio-sb-315-nemt-gps-verification/Ohio SB 315 takes effect October 6, 2026. ODM must put NEMT providers on GPS trip verification by April 2028 and pay only claims with complete GPS data.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMTFraud and oversightOhioMichigan Seeks a Medicaid NEMT Broker That Could Cover the Whole State, Proposals Due November 6, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/michigan-nemt-broker-rfp/https://nemtguide.com/news/michigan-nemt-broker-rfp/Michigan wants bids for a fee-for-service Medicaid NEMT broker in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb or statewide. Proposals are due November 6, 2026.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersMichiganHouse Bill Would Require States to Electronically Verify Medicaid NEMT Trips Starting January 1, 2027https://nemtguide.com/news/stop-medicaid-fraud-act-nemt-evv/https://nemtguide.com/news/stop-medicaid-fraud-act-nemt-evv/H.R. 10618, introduced September 28, 2026, would make states electronically verify Medicaid NEMT rides from January 1, 2027. What it does and what to do now.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMTFraud and oversightArizona Raises Its Rural NEMT Mileage Rate to $1.63 a Mile on October 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/arizona-rural-nemt-mileage-rate/https://nemtguide.com/news/arizona-rural-nemt-mileage-rate/AHCCCS pays $1.63 a loaded mile for rural S0215 trips from October 1, 2026, up from $1.53. Which trips qualify, what a trip pays, and what to change.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRates and payArizonaMedicaid Stops Federal Payment for Many Immigrant Riders on October 1, 2026: What It Means for NEMThttps://nemtguide.com/news/medicaid-immigrant-eligibility-limits/https://nemtguide.com/news/medicaid-immigrant-eligibility-limits/From October 1, 2026, federal Medicaid covers citizens, three immigrant groups, and some children and pregnant women. Which NEMT riders lose rides and why.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTMedicaidBlue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico Moves Medicaid Rides from Modivcare to MTM Health on November 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/bcbsnm-mtm-transition/https://nemtguide.com/news/bcbsnm-mtm-transition/Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico moves Turquoise Care rides from Modivcare to MTM Health on November 1, 2026. What NEMT companies should do before then.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersNew MexicoIowa Proposes NEMT for All Medicaid Expansion Adults From January 1, 2027https://nemtguide.com/news/iowa-expansion-adults-nemt/https://nemtguide.com/news/iowa-expansion-adults-nemt/On December 31, 2026, CMS ends the waiver that kept most Iowa Medicaid expansion adults from rides. What Iowa proposes and what NEMT companies should do.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTMedicaidIowaMedicaid Retroactive Coverage Shrinks to One or Two Months for Applications From January 1, 2027https://nemtguide.com/news/medicaid-retroactive-coverage-cut/https://nemtguide.com/news/medicaid-retroactive-coverage-cut/For Medicaid applications from January 1, 2027, back coverage is one month for expansion adults and two for others. What it means for rides before approval.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTMedicaidʻOhana Health Plan Leaves Hawaii QUEST After December 31, 2026: What Changes for Medicaid Rideshttps://nemtguide.com/news/ohana-leaves-quest/https://nemtguide.com/news/ohana-leaves-quest/ʻOhana Health Plan leaves Hawaii QUEST after December 31, 2026. Key dates, which broker books each rider in 2027, and what NEMT companies should do now.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersHawaiiVirginia Replaces Its PASS Rule for NEMT Drivers With Broker Driver Traininghttps://nemtguide.com/news/virginia-nemt-driver-training-change/https://nemtguide.com/news/virginia-nemt-driver-training-change/Virginia's May 26, 2026 NEMT rules swap the PASS course for the broker's driver training. What changed, what MTM Health asks for, and what to do now.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRulesVirginiaArkansas Names Verida the NEMT Broker for Region B After the First Winner Declinedhttps://nemtguide.com/news/arkansas-region-b-verida/https://nemtguide.com/news/arkansas-region-b-verida/Arkansas named Verida its Region B Medicaid ride broker on November 10, 2025, after MediTrans declined. The counties, the price, the rules, and next steps.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersArkansasCMS Lists NEMT Among High-Risk Medicaid Services in Its CRUSH Anti-Fraud Request for Informationhttps://nemtguide.com/news/cms-crush-fraud-rfi/https://nemtguide.com/news/cms-crush-fraud-rfi/CMS's CRUSH request for information of February 27, 2026 named NEMT a high-risk Medicaid service. What it asked, where the rule stands, and how to prepare.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTFraud and oversightCMS Finds Minnesota Medicaid Out of Compliance on Fraud Controls and Offers a Hearinghttps://nemtguide.com/news/cms-minnesota-compliance-hearing/https://nemtguide.com/news/cms-minnesota-compliance-hearing/On January 14, 2026, CMS offered Minnesota a hearing on its Medicaid fraud controls and proposed withholding $515 million a quarter. What it means for NEMT.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTFraud and oversightMinnesotaCMS Proposes a Medicare-Based Cap on Targeted Medicaid Payments, Naming NEMT Providershttps://nemtguide.com/news/cms-nemt-supplemental-payment-limit/https://nemtguide.com/news/cms-nemt-supplemental-payment-limit/A May 22, 2026 CMS proposal would cap Medicaid payments states target to some providers, NEMT included, at Medicare rates. What it covers and key dates.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRates and payDOT Proposes Adding Fentanyl to Its Drug Tests, and the Final Rule Is Still Pendinghttps://nemtguide.com/news/dot-fentanyl-drug-test-proposal/https://nemtguide.com/news/dot-fentanyl-drug-test-proposal/DOT proposed adding fentanyl to its drug test panel on September 2, 2025. As of September 2026 no final rule is out. Who it would cover and what to do now.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRulesMaine High Court Upholds Modivcare Awards for Four MaineCare Ride Regionshttps://nemtguide.com/news/maine-court-upholds-modivcare/https://nemtguide.com/news/maine-court-upholds-modivcare/On August 4, 2026, Maine's high court upheld Modivcare's MaineCare ride awards for Regions 2, 3, 4, and 8. What it means for providers in Penquis counties.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersMaineNew Mexico Required NEMT Staff to Train on September 15, 2026 After a Federal Payment Audithttps://nemtguide.com/news/new-mexico-nemt-provider-training/https://nemtguide.com/news/new-mexico-nemt-provider-training/New Mexico ordered NEMT management and billing staff to a training on September 15, 2026 after federal auditors found log and mileage errors. What to fix now.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTFraud and oversightNew MexicoTexas Inspector General Audit of SafeRide, Inc. Ends in a $315,000 Medicaid Settlementhttps://nemtguide.com/news/texas-oig-nemt-audit-repayment/https://nemtguide.com/news/texas-oig-nemt-audit-repayment/A Texas OIG audit of SafeRide, Inc. found missed complaint reviews, pay above contract rates, and missing prior authorizations. What it means for providers.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTFraud and oversightTexasLouisiana Ends Its ARPA Per-Vehicle Payments to NEMT Providers on September 30, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/louisiana-arpa-nemt-payments-end/https://nemtguide.com/news/louisiana-arpa-nemt-payments-end/Louisiana's ARPA bonus of $500 per vehicle, up to $1,500 a month, ends September 30, 2026, with a final payment on October 31. What NEMT providers should do.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRates and payLouisianaTexas Raises Demand Response NEMT Rates About 4.5% After Its 2026 Fee Reviewhttps://nemtguide.com/news/texas-nemt-fee-review/https://nemtguide.com/news/texas-nemt-fee-review/Texas's 2026 fee review raised T2003 demand response ride rates about 4.5% from September 1, 2026, and ITP mileage rose to 76 cents from July 1. What to check.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRates and payTexasConnecticut Ends CHESS, and the NEMT Mileage Tied to It, on August 15, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/connecticut-chess-nemt-ends/https://nemtguide.com/news/connecticut-chess-nemt-ends/Connecticut's CHESS benefit ended August 15, 2026 with CMS approval, and so did broker mileage for CHESS staff. HUSKY rides through MTM go on unchanged.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTMedicaidConnecticutDauphin County Moves Its Medical Assistance Transportation Program to rabbittransithttps://nemtguide.com/news/dauphin-county-matp-rabbittransit/https://nemtguide.com/news/dauphin-county-matp-rabbittransit/Dauphin County's MATP moved to rabbittransit on July 1, 2026. What changed for riders, the county's carriers, and facilities, and what providers should do now.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersPennsylvaniaModivcare Takes Over MaineCare Rides in the Midcoast Region on July 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/maine-midcoast-modivcare/https://nemtguide.com/news/maine-midcoast-modivcare/From July 1, 2026, Modivcare arranges MaineCare rides in Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc counties plus Brunswick and Harpswell. What providers should do.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersMaineDOT Requires Directly Observed Urine Tests When a Required Oral Fluid Test Cannot Be Donehttps://nemtguide.com/news/dot-observed-urine-collection-rule/https://nemtguide.com/news/dot-observed-urine-collection-rule/A DOT rule effective June 10, 2026 requires an observed urine test when a required oral fluid test cannot be done. Who it covers and what to do now.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRulesMinnesota Delays Its Single NEMT Administrator and Requires Six Months' Noticehttps://nemtguide.com/news/minnesota-nemt-administrator-delay/https://nemtguide.com/news/minnesota-nemt-administrator-delay/Minnesota put off the single NEMT administrator planned for July 1, 2026. County contracts and statute rates stay until it starts, after six months' notice.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersMinnesotaInland Empire Health Plan Took Its NEMT Trips In-House from Call the Car on May 12, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/iehp-nemt-in-house/https://nemtguide.com/news/iehp-nemt-in-house/Since May 12, 2026, IEHP arranges its own wheelchair, gurney, and ambulance rides, and Call the Car keeps non-medical rides. What ride companies do now.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersCaliforniaFidelis Care Medicaid Rides in Rockland County Move to Medical Answering Serviceshttps://nemtguide.com/news/fidelis-rockland-mas/https://nemtguide.com/news/fidelis-rockland-mas/Since April 1, 2026, Fidelis Care Medicaid members in Rockland County book rides through MAS. What changed for ride companies, Rockland rates, and billing.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersNew YorkHealthSpring Moved Its Medicare Advantage Rides from Modivcare to MTM Health on March 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/healthspring-mtm-medicare-rides/https://nemtguide.com/news/healthspring-mtm-medicare-rides/Since March 1, 2026, MTM Health is the only ride vendor for HealthSpring Medicare Advantage members. What changed and what ride companies should do now.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersAlabamaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisKentuckyMarylandMississippiMissouriNevadaNew MexicoNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahWashingtonUnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida Moved Its Medicaid Rides to MTM Health on March 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/uhc-florida-mtm/https://nemtguide.com/news/uhc-florida-mtm/Since March 1, 2026, MTM Health arranges Medicaid rides for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida. What changed, who it affects, and how to keep the trips.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersFloridaIndiana Raised Its NEMT Fee Schedule on January 1, 2026 to 100 Percent of 2025 Medicare Rateshttps://nemtguide.com/news/indiana-nemt-fee-schedule-update/https://nemtguide.com/news/indiana-nemt-fee-schedule-update/Indiana NEMT rates rose January 1, 2026: $31.79 a wheelchair van trip, $12.71 ambulatory, $1.67 a mile. Every code, the billing rules, and what to do now.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRates and payIndianaMedicaid Application Fee Rises to $750 for Enrollments and Revalidations in 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/medicaid-enrollment-fee-750/https://nemtguide.com/news/medicaid-enrollment-fee-750/The Medicaid application fee is $750 for applications filed in 2026. Which NEMT companies pay it, who is exempt, what four states charge, and hardship waivers.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRulesNevada Adds Nevada Check Up Children to Medicaid Rides in Its January 1, 2026 Transportation Manualhttps://nemtguide.com/news/nevada-check-up-nemt/https://nemtguide.com/news/nevada-check-up-nemt/Nevada's January 1, 2026 transportation manual adds Nevada Check Up children to NEMT and gives rural rides to health plans. Who books each ride and what to do.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTMedicaidNevadaUnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas Moved Its Medicaid Rides to SafeRide Health on January 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/uhc-texas-saferide/https://nemtguide.com/news/uhc-texas-saferide/Since January 1, 2026, SafeRide Health arranges Medicaid rides for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas. What ride companies must do to keep those trips.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersTexasDC Health Care Alliance Dropped Non-Emergency Rides in 2025 and Keeps Them Out Through September 2027https://nemtguide.com/news/dc-alliance-nemt-ends/https://nemtguide.com/news/dc-alliance-nemt-ends/The DC Health Care Alliance stopped paying for non-emergency rides on October 1, 2025, and a DHCF letter keeps them uncovered through September 30, 2027.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTMedicaidDistrict of ColumbiaAlaska Lets Tribal Travel Offices Bill Medicaid for Taxis, Wheelchair Vans, and Ridesharehttps://nemtguide.com/news/alaska-tribal-travel-spa/https://nemtguide.com/news/alaska-tribal-travel-spa/CMS approved Alaska SPA 25-0009 on December 18, 2025: tribal health groups that run travel may bill taxis, wheelchair vans, rideshare, lodging, and meals.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRulesAlaskaHHS Inspector General Opens a Targeted Review of Medicaid NEMT Billing and a State Audit Serieshttps://nemtguide.com/news/oig-nemt-fraud-reviews/https://nemtguide.com/news/oig-nemt-fraud-reviews/HHS OIG opened a targeted review of Medicaid NEMT billing on October 15, 2025 and a state NEMT audit series on May 28, 2026. What each checks and what to fix.Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTFraud and oversightIRS Raises the Business Mileage Rate to 76 Cents Starting July 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/irs-mid-year-mileage-rate-increase/https://nemtguide.com/news/irs-mid-year-mileage-rate-increase/The IRS business mileage rate rose from 72.5 to 76 cents for miles driven from July 1, 2026. How NEMT owners split logs, pay drivers, and who can use the rate.Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRates and payTexas Raises Its Medical Transportation Program Mileage Rate to 73 Cents for Rides From January 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/texas-mtp-rate-update/https://nemtguide.com/news/texas-mtp-rate-update/Texas raised its Medical Transportation Program mileage rate from 70 to 73 cents for rides from January 1, 2026. Who it pays, reprocessing, and current rates.Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRates and payTexasNorth Carolina Reverses Its 3% NEMT Rate Cut and Corrects Trips From the Cut Periodhttps://nemtguide.com/news/north-carolina-nemt-rates-restored/https://nemtguide.com/news/north-carolina-nemt-rates-restored/North Carolina cut NEMT rates 3% on October 1, 2025 and restored them from December 17, 2025. How the corrections work and what county vendors should check.Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRates and payNorth CarolinaLouisiana Medicaid Lets Rideshare Companies Give NEMT Rides to Ambulatory Membershttps://nemtguide.com/news/louisiana-rideshare-nemt-approved/https://nemtguide.com/news/louisiana-rideshare-nemt-approved/Since November 20, 2025, rideshare companies can give Louisiana Medicaid rides to ambulatory members, after traditional NEMT companies. What it means for you.Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTRulesLouisianaMontana Moves Medicaid NEMT to Modivcare on October 1, 2026https://nemtguide.com/news/montana-modivcare-nemt-broker/https://nemtguide.com/news/montana-modivcare-nemt-broker/Montana Medicaid rides move to Modivcare on October 1, 2026. Providers must enroll with Modivcare, and billing and trip approval move off the state system.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersMontanaMedicaid Moves Expansion Adults to Six-Month Renewals Starting January 2027https://nemtguide.com/news/medicaid-six-month-renewals/https://nemtguide.com/news/medicaid-six-month-renewals/From January 1, 2027, states must renew Medicaid every six months for expansion adults. Who it covers, when it starts, and how to check riders before each trip.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTMedicaidCMS Rule Sets Medicaid Work Requirements by January 2027: What It Means for NEMT Rideshttps://nemtguide.com/news/medicaid-work-requirement-rule/https://nemtguide.com/news/medicaid-work-requirement-rule/A CMS rule requires Medicaid expansion adults to show 80 hours of work or activity a month by January 1, 2027. Who is exempt and what it means for NEMT rides.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTMedicaidMinnesota Now Reviews Every Fee-for-Service NEMT Claim Before Paying Ithttps://nemtguide.com/news/minnesota-nemt-prepayment-review/https://nemtguide.com/news/minnesota-nemt-prepayment-review/Minnesota holds every fee-for-service NEMT claim for prepayment review, and a 2026 law widens it in 2027. How it works, payment timing, and what to keep.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTFraud and oversightMinnesotaPennsylvania Study Backs Keeping County-Run MATP Instead of a Statewide NEMT Brokerhttps://nemtguide.com/news/pennsylvania-matp-broker-study/https://nemtguide.com/news/pennsylvania-matp-broker-study/Pennsylvania's June 25, 2026 MATP broker study backs county-run rides over a statewide broker. What it found, and why providers still contract county by county.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersPennsylvaniaSouth Carolina Opens a Third NEMT Broker Bid After Throwing Out the MTM Awardhttps://nemtguide.com/news/south-carolina-nemt-broker-rebid/https://nemtguide.com/news/south-carolina-nemt-broker-rebid/South Carolina issued a third NEMT broker bid on June 26, 2026, after voiding the MTM award. Proposals are due December 3, 2026. Modivcare keeps rides for now.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersSouth CarolinaWisconsin Picks Verida to Replace MTM as Its Medicaid NEMT Managerhttps://nemtguide.com/news/wisconsin-verida-nemt-award/https://nemtguide.com/news/wisconsin-verida-nemt-award/Wisconsin DHS picked Verida as its next Medicaid NEMT manager on May 21, 2026. MTM manages rides until a switch date is set. What providers should do now.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTBrokersWisconsin