Last updated 2026-07-23
TL;DR
MAS (Medical Answering Services) is a NEMT broker that manages non-emergency medical transportation for state Medicaid programs, mainly in New York. It takes trip requests from Medicaid members, assigns them to enrolled transportation providers, and handles billing. Owner-operators must enroll with the state Medicaid program first, then credential separately with MAS as a broker.
What is MAS medical transportation management?
MAS stands for Medical Answering Services, LLC. It's a private company that holds broker contracts to manage non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for state Medicaid programs, most notably New York State's Medicaid Transportation Management program. If you're a wheelchair-van owner-operator in a region MAS covers, you don't bill Medicaid directly for most rides. MAS (or the regional broker structure it operates under) schedules the trip, assigns it to a credentialed provider, and pays that provider according to a contracted rate. This is the same basic model as Modivcare, MTM, and Access2Care in other states: the state Medicaid agency hires (or designates) a transportation manager, that manager builds a network of NEMT providers, and Medicaid members call the broker instead of calling you directly. New York's system is a bit different in structure because it uses regional transportation managers under contract with the state Department of Health, and MAS is one of the companies that has held those contracts for parts of the state [1]. If you're outside New York and heard the name MAS in a different context, confirm which broker actually holds the contract in your county with your state Medicaid transportation unit, because broker assignments change and vary by region. Related reading: medical transportation and nemt cover the broader credentialing landscape across states.
What is NEMT and how is it different from an ambulance ride?
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is transportation for Medicaid (and sometimes Medicare Advantage) members who need to get to a covered medical appointment but don't need ambulance-level care. Think wheelchair vans, ambulatory sedans, and stretcher vans for dialysis, physical therapy, chemotherapy, and routine doctor visits. Federal Medicaid rules actually require this. Under 42 CFR 431.53, states must ensure necessary transportation for beneficiaries to and from providers and must describe in their state plan how they meet this requirement [2]. This is the regulatory backbone that makes NEMT a covered Medicaid benefit nationwide, even though most states outsource management of it to a broker instead of running it in-house. An ambulance ride is different. That's emergency or medically necessary transport where a licensed EMT or paramedic provides care en route, typically dispatched through 911 or a hospital transfer order. NEMT providers generally cannot bill for ambulance-level transport unless they're separately licensed and enrolled as an ambulance provider. If your van has a stretcher but no clinical staff, you're doing stretcher-van NEMT, not ambulance transport, and the billing codes and enrollment path are different. See emergency medical transport for that distinction in more detail.
Does Medicaid cover ambulance rides?
Yes. Medicaid covers ambulance transportation when it's medically necessary, meaning the member's condition requires the vehicle's specialized design and the presence of trained emergency personnel. Coverage rules, prior authorization requirements, and reimbursement rates are set at the state level, so what counts as medically necessary and what documentation is required varies by state Medicaid agency. CMS describes transportation, including ambulance services, as a benefit category states address through their approved state plans, with specific coverage terms set by each state [3]. If you're trying to figure out whether a specific ambulance claim will be paid, that's a question for the state Medicaid agency's ambulance/EMS billing unit, not the NEMT broker, because ambulance and NEMT are usually handled by entirely separate provider enrollment tracks.
Does Medicare cover medical transportation?
Medicare's coverage of transportation is much narrower than Medicaid's. Original Medicare (Part B) covers ambulance services when other transportation could endanger your health, subject to medical necessity documentation, and you'll typically owe 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible [4]. Medicare generally does not cover routine non-emergency rides to a doctor's office the way Medicaid does. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer NEMT as a supplemental benefit, often a set number of one-way trips per year to plan-network providers. This is plan-specific and not guaranteed, so if you're trying to get on a Medicare Advantage transportation network, you need to contact that specific plan or its transportation vendor (often the same brokers who manage Medicaid NEMT, like Modivcare) rather than assuming Medicare rules apply uniformly.
How do you start a medical transportation business?
Starting an NEMT business has a fairly consistent skeleton across states, even though the details differ. Here's the order that avoids wasted money and rework: 1. Form your business entity (LLC is common) and get an EIN from the IRS. 2. Get commercial auto insurance for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. This is not standard personal auto insurance; you need commercial livery or paratransit coverage, and it costs meaningfully more. 3. Register the vehicle commercially and confirm state-specific NEMT vehicle requirements (wheelchair lift certification, tie-down systems, inspections). 4. Enroll as a Medicaid transportation provider with your state Medicaid agency. This is separate from broker credentialing and usually comes first. 5. Apply for credentialing with the broker(s) operating in your service area (Modivcare, MTM, Access2Care, SafeRide, or a state-specific manager like MAS in parts of New York). 6. Get driver background checks, drug screening, and any required NEMT driver training completed before you submit. Skipping step 4 and going straight to broker credentialing is a common mistake. Brokers generally require active Medicaid enrollment as a condition of credentialing, not the other way around. Confirm the exact sequence with your state Medicaid agency and the broker before you spend money on vehicle upfit or insurance you might need to redo.
How do you start an NEMT business specifically (not ambulance, not general transportation)?
| Entity + EIN | LLC formation, IRS EIN | 1-2 weeks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Wheelchair van, ADA lift/ramp, tie-downs inspected | Varies by purchase/upfit | |
| Insurance | Commercial NEMT/livery policy | 1-3 weeks to bind | |
| State Medicaid enrollment | Application, background check, site visit in some states | 4-12 weeks, state-dependent | |
| Broker credentialing | Separate application per broker (Modivcare, MTM, etc.) | 2-8 weeks, broker-dependent | |
| Driver requirements | Background check, MVR, drug screen, defensive driving | Ongoing | The timing ranges above are general industry patterns, not a guarantee for any state. Confirm current processing times with your broker and state Medicaid agency, because staffing and application volume shift these numbers constantly. One detail owner-operators miss: many states require your Medicaid provider enrollment to be active and in good standing before a broker will even open your credentialing file. If your state uses a centralized Medicaid enrollment portal or a third-party credentialing vendor, start that application before you finalize your vehicle purchase, since a denial or delay there stalls everything downstream. |
If your goal is specifically NEMT, not ambulance or general livery, the practical checklist looks like this: |Step|What it involves|Rough timing|
How do you start a medical transportation business with one van?
One van is completely workable to start. Most owner-operators in this industry begin exactly this way. The math and paperwork are the same whether you own one van or ten; what changes is your bandwidth. With a single vehicle, plan for: - You (or one dedicated driver) as the only person available for trips, which means you need a clear answer for what happens when the vehicle is in the shop or you're sick.
- Insurance minimums that don't scale down just because you have one vehicle. Commercial NEMT insurance is priced per vehicle and per driver risk profile, not as a fleet discount you're missing out on.
- Broker credentialing that asks about fleet capacity and service area coverage. Be honest about being a one-van operation; some brokers have no problem with this, others prefer providers who can guarantee backup coverage for cancellations.
- A backup plan for maintenance. A blown transmission with no backup vehicle means missed trips, missed revenue, and potential credentialing problems if you have a pattern of no-shows. The advantage of starting with one van is lower fixed cost and less complexity while you learn how a specific broker's dispatch system, trip confirmation process, and billing cycle actually work in practice. Many owner-operators run one van for six to twelve months before adding a second, once they understand the real day-to-day workload.
What paperwork does state Medicaid enrollment actually require?
Every state runs its own Medicaid provider enrollment process, and the specific forms differ, but the categories of documentation are consistent: business licensing, vehicle registration and inspection records, insurance certificates naming required coverage limits, driver background checks (often including a check against the Medicaid/Medicare exclusion lists), and sometimes a site visit or vehicle inspection by the state or its enrollment contractor. Federal rule 42 CFR 455.450 sets the risk-based screening framework states apply to provider categories, including limited, moderate, and high screening levels tied to fraud risk, though states assign the specific NEMT category and its documentation requirements themselves [5]. Some states also require you to be listed on the federal System for Award Management (SAM.gov) or pass an HHS Office of Inspector General exclusion check, drawn from the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities, before enrollment is approved [6]. Because every state's forms and processing timeline differ, don't rely on a generic checklist alone. Confirm the current application, required attachments, and fees directly with your state Medicaid agency's transportation or provider enrollment unit before you submit anything.
How is broker credentialing different from Medicaid enrollment?
Medicaid enrollment gets you into the state's system as an approved provider type. Broker credentialing gets you into a specific broker's active network so you actually receive trip assignments. These are two separate gates, and passing one doesn't guarantee the other. Each broker (Modivcare, MTM, Access2Care, SafeRide, or a regional manager like MAS) runs its own application, its own insurance minimums, its own driver qualification standards, and its own recredentialing cycle, typically annual. A broker can require higher insurance limits than the state minimum, additional driver training modules, or specific vehicle inspection documentation the state didn't ask for. This is the part that catches new owner-operators off guard: you can be a fully enrolled, active Medicaid NEMT provider and still get denied by a broker, or approved by one broker and rejected by another in the same state, because their internal criteria differ. If your county has more than one broker's territory or overlapping contracts, you may need to apply to each one separately to maximize the trip volume available to you. See nemt-transportation for more on how multi-broker regions typically work.
What does MAS (or any regional broker) actually check during credentialing?
While exact checklists differ by broker and by state contract, the categories brokers typically verify include: active Medicaid provider enrollment number, current commercial auto insurance meeting minimum liability limits, vehicle inspection and ADA equipment compliance (working lift, secured tie-downs), driver background checks and MVR history, and sometimes a physical site or vehicle inspection. Some broker contracts also require drivers to complete a specific training curriculum, CPR/first aid certification, or a defensive driving course before dispatch access is granted. None of this is standardized nationally; it's set contract by contract between the state Medicaid agency and whichever company holds the transportation management contract for that region. Because requirements are contract-specific and change over time, treat any list (including this one) as a starting point, not a final checklist. Confirm the current, complete requirement list directly with the broker and cross-check with your state Medicaid transportation unit before you submit documents, since resubmitting a rejected application costs you real time.
How does payment and dispatch actually work once you're credentialed?
Once you're in a broker's network, the general workflow is: the broker's call center or app receives a trip request from a Medicaid member or their care coordinator, the broker's scheduling system assigns the trip to an available credentialed provider (sometimes based on rotation, proximity, or bid), you complete the trip and document mileage/time, and the broker pays you on its own billing cycle, usually weekly or biweekly, at contracted per-trip or per-mile rates. Rates, payment cycles, and any mileage/wait-time add-ons are set in your broker contract, not by Medicaid directly, and they vary widely by state and even by broker within the same state. Don't assume the rate you hear about from another owner-operator in a different state applies to you; get the actual rate schedule in writing from the broker before you start planning routes around it. Building a Launch Kit style checklist that tracks which documents each broker in your area requires, and when your recredentialing is due, saves real headaches later. RideCredential's own $199 State + Broker NEMT Launch Kit is built around exactly this: a state-by-state, broker-by-broker document checklist so you're not guessing at what MAS, Modivcare, MTM, or Access2Care each want from a first-time applicant.
What mistakes cost new owner-operators the most time?
A few patterns show up over and over with new NEMT owner-operators: Applying to the broker before Medicaid enrollment is final. Most brokers won't process your file without an active state Medicaid provider number, so this just delays you. Buying insurance that doesn't meet the state or broker's minimum liability limits, then having to go back to the insurer and rebind a policy, which costs time and sometimes a rate increase. Assuming one broker's approval means you're automatically in with every broker in the region. In many states, two or three brokers can operate in overlapping territories, and each requires its own separate application. Not budgeting for the wheelchair lift and tie-down inspection cycle. Some states or brokers require periodic reinspection, and a lapsed inspection can freeze your dispatch eligibility even after you're credentialed. Missing recredentialing deadlines. Broker credentialing isn't a one-time event; most run annual recredentialing, and missing that window can suspend your active status without much warning. For a broader look at what "non emergency medical transportation" covers as a category and how states structure the benefit, see non-emergency-medical-transportation and non-emergency-medical-transportation-services.
Frequently asked questions
What is MAS medical transportation management?
MAS (Medical Answering Services, LLC) is a company that has managed NEMT broker services for portions of New York State's Medicaid Transportation Management program. It takes trip requests from Medicaid members and assigns them to credentialed transportation providers. Confirm current contract coverage with the New York State Department of Health, since regional broker assignments change over time.
What is NEMT?
NEMT stands for non-emergency medical transportation. It's Medicaid-covered transportation (wheelchair van, ambulatory sedan, stretcher van) for members getting to routine medical appointments, dialysis, or therapy who don't need ambulance-level clinical care. States must ensure this transportation under 42 CFR 431.53, though most outsource day-to-day management to a broker.
Does Medicaid cover ambulance rides?
Yes, Medicaid covers medically necessary ambulance transportation, but the specific rules, prior authorization requirements, and rates are set by each state Medicaid agency. Ambulance billing is a separate enrollment track from NEMT, so confirm requirements with your state Medicaid agency's EMS/ambulance unit rather than the NEMT broker.
Does Medicare cover medical transportation?
Original Medicare Part B covers ambulance transport when medically necessary, generally with 20% coinsurance after the deductible. Medicare does not typically cover routine non-emergency rides to appointments. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited NEMT as a supplemental benefit; check the specific plan for trip limits and network rules.
How do I start a medical transportation business?
Form your business entity, get commercial auto insurance for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, register the vehicle commercially, enroll as a Medicaid transportation provider with your state, then apply for broker credentialing (Modivcare, MTM, Access2Care, SafeRide, or a regional manager). Complete driver background checks and training before submitting any credentialing application.
How do I start an NEMT business?
Same core steps as any medical transportation business, but focus specifically on wheelchair van or ambulatory sedan requirements rather than ambulance licensing. Confirm your state's NEMT-specific vehicle standards (lift certification, tie-downs) and enroll as a Medicaid NEMT provider before applying for broker network credentialing.
Can I start a non-emergency medical transportation business with just one van?
Yes, one van is a common and workable starting point. You'll need the same insurance, enrollment, and credentialing steps as a larger fleet, plus a realistic plan for what happens when your only vehicle is in the shop, since brokers may ask about backup coverage during credentialing.
What is non-emergency medical transportation exactly?
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is Medicaid-covered (and sometimes Medicare Advantage-covered) transport to medical appointments for people who don't need ambulance-level care. It includes wheelchair vans, ambulatory sedans, and stretcher vans, and is a required part of most state Medicaid programs under federal transportation-assurance rules.
Is MAS the same company as Modivcare or MTM?
No. MAS (Medical Answering Services) is a separate company that has held regional broker contracts, primarily tied to New York State's Medicaid Transportation Management program. Modivcare, MTM, Access2Care, and SafeRide are separate national or regional broker companies operating under their own state contracts. RideCredential is not affiliated with any of them.
Do I need to enroll with Medicaid before applying to a broker?
In most states, yes. Brokers typically require an active state Medicaid provider enrollment number as a prerequisite for credentialing. Applying to a broker first often just results in a paused or rejected application. Confirm the required sequence with your specific state Medicaid agency and broker before you apply.
How long does NEMT provider enrollment and credentialing take?
Timelines vary widely by state and broker. State Medicaid enrollment can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on background checks and site visits; broker credentialing often adds several more weeks. There's no fixed national timeline, so confirm current processing times directly with your state Medicaid agency and target broker.
What insurance do I need for a wheelchair van NEMT business?
You need commercial auto insurance sized for livery or paratransit use, not personal auto coverage. Minimum liability limits are set by your state Medicaid agency and can be raised further by individual broker contracts. Get the exact required limits in writing before buying a policy, since underinsuring can delay both enrollment and credentialing.
What happens if I'm approved by one broker but not another in my state?
This is common. Each broker runs its own separate credentialing process with its own criteria, even within the same state. Being denied by one broker doesn't bar you from another, and many owner-operators apply to multiple brokers in overlapping territories to access more trip volume.
Sources
- New York State Department of Health, Medicaid Transportation Management: New York State Medicaid Transportation Management uses regional transportation managers under contract with the state, of which MAS has been one.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 42 CFR 431.53: States must ensure necessary transportation for Medicaid beneficiaries to and from providers under 42 CFR 431.53.
- Medicaid.gov, Medicaid Benefits: Transportation, including ambulance and non-emergency transportation, is a benefit category states must address in their Medicaid state plans.
- Medicare.gov, Ambulance Services coverage: Medicare Part B covers ambulance services when medically necessary, generally with 20% coinsurance after the deductible.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 42 CFR 455.450: Medicaid provider enrollment follows a federal risk-based screening framework (limited, moderate, high) that states apply to different provider categories.
- HHS Office of Inspector General, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE): States and enrollment contractors check Medicaid applicants against the OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities before approving enrollment.
- New York State Department of Health, Medicaid Transportation, Frequently Asked Questions: New York's Medicaid Transportation program answers common provider and member questions about how regional transportation managers assign and pay for trips.
- Social Security Act Section 1902(a)(70), Statewide Medicaid Managed Care and NEMT broker authority: Federal law allows states to contract with a broker to arrange non-emergency medical transportation for Medicaid beneficiaries.