Last updated 2026-07-24
TL;DR
Texas Medicaid non-emergency transportation runs through MTM in most regions, reached at 1-855-687-4786 for ride bookings. There is no single statewide number for every purpose. Providers enrolling as NEMT vendors go through Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP), not MTM's rider line. Confirm your region's current broker and number with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission before calling.
What is the Texas Medicaid transportation phone number?
| Medicaid member needing a ride | Trip booking, ride status, complaints | MTM member line (confirm current number with HHSC) |
|---|---|---|
| NEMT company wanting to join a broker network | Provider credentialing, contracts | MTM provider relations / broker credentialing team |
| NEMT company enrolling as a Texas Medicaid provider | Texas Provider Identifier (TPI), vendor enrollment | TMHP provider enrollment |
| Anyone unsure who the current broker is | Regional broker assignment | HHSC Medical Transportation Program page |
There is no single Texas Medicaid transportation phone number that covers every region and every purpose. Texas manages its Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) benefit through a broker model, and the state has used MTM (Medical Transportation Management) as the statewide NEMT broker for most Medicaid Transportation Program (MTP) service areas in recent years [1]. Riders calling to book a trip generally reach MTM at 1-855-687-4786, but that number, the broker itself, and the hours of operation can change when the state re-bids the contract, so treat any number in an article (including this one) as something to verify, not something to memorize. If you're a rider or caregiver, the safest first stop is the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medical Transportation Program page, which lists current contact information by region. If you're a driver or company owner trying to get credentialed to run trips, you're not calling the rider line at all. You're dealing with the broker's provider network / credentialing line and separately with TMHP for Medicaid vendor enrollment. Here's the practical breakdown people usually need: | Who you are | What you need | Who to contact |
Who runs Medicaid transportation in Texas: MTM or someone else?
MTM has held the statewide NEMT broker role for the Texas Medicaid Transportation Program under HHSC in recent contract periods, coordinating rides for eligible Medicaid clients who have no other means of transportation to covered medical appointments [1]. Texas previously used a mix of regional brokers and Medical Transportation Program (MTP) contractors, so if you find older material referencing a different company for your area, that's likely outdated. Brokers get re-bid. Contracts end. Regional assignments shift. This is exactly why we tell owner-operators never to hardcode a broker's phone number or portal link into a business plan or a marketing flyer. Confirm the current broker and contact details directly with HHSC's Medical Transportation Program office before you build contracts, marketing, or dispatch workflows around it. For drivers and small NEMT companies, the actual sequence looks like this: you first get your business licensed and insured, then you enroll as a Texas Medicaid provider through TMHP to get a Texas Provider Identifier, and only after that do you approach the regional broker (currently MTM in most areas) to get credentialed into their provider network and start receiving trip assignments. Skipping straight to calling a rider-facing phone number won't get you enrolled as a provider; that line exists for Medicaid clients scheduling rides, not for vendors.
What is NEMT and how is it different from an ambulance?
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is transportation to and from covered medical care for people who have no other way to get there and don't need emergency medical response during the ride. It covers things like dialysis, chemotherapy, physical therapy, and routine doctor visits, typically in a wheelchair van, ambulatory sedan, or stretcher vehicle, not an ambulance with paramedics. Federal Medicaid regulations require that states ensure necessary transportation for beneficiaries to and from providers, and states may provide this transportation by any appropriate mode, including a common carrier, taxi, or other vehicle appropriate to the beneficiary's needs. The specific regulatory text lives at 42 CFR 431.53, which requires state Medicaid plans to "specify that the Medicaid agency will ensure necessary transportation for beneficiaries to and from providers" [2]. That's the legal backbone for NEMT across every state, including Texas. An ambulance ride is emergency medical transport: it involves trained EMTs or paramedics, life-support equipment, and immediate medical response capability. NEMT vehicles carry no clinical staff beyond a trained driver and, for some trip types, an attendant. If you're building a business plan around a wheelchair van, you're in the NEMT lane, not the ambulance lane, and the licensing, vehicle standards, and Medicaid billing codes are entirely different. For a broader look at how the NEMT category fits into the wider transportation landscape, see what is NEMT and non emergency medical transportation.
Does Medicaid cover ambulance rides in Texas?
Yes, Medicaid covers medically necessary ambulance transportation, including in Texas, but it's billed and authorized completely separately from NEMT wheelchair-van or sedan trips. Federal ambulance coverage rules at 42 CFR 410.40 require that transport be medically necessary, meaning other means of transportation would endanger the patient's health, and that the vehicle meet specific equipment and staffing standards [3]. Texas Medicaid ambulance services are billed by licensed ground or air ambulance providers enrolled through TMHP under their own provider type, with its own set of coverage policies in the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual. If you're starting a wheelchair-van NEMT company, you generally do not need ambulance licensure or Medicaid ambulance enrollment, and trying to operate as both simultaneously as a brand-new small operator is usually unrealistic given the very different vehicle, staffing, and certification requirements (EMT-Basic or higher, DSHS EMS provider license, etc.). If a caller or client asks you, as an NEMT driver, whether Medicaid pays for an ambulance, the honest answer is: yes, but that's not what you provide, and they should call 911 or their ambulance provider, not your dispatch line.
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 would endanger the beneficiary's health, and the transport must go to the nearest appropriate facility that can treat the condition, per the same coverage framework at 42 CFR 410.40 that governs Medicaid ambulance benefits [3]. Medicare does not have a general NEMT benefit for routine trips like dialysis or checkups the way Medicaid does. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans have started offering limited non-emergency transportation as a supplemental benefit, but this varies enormously by plan and insurer and is not guaranteed. If you're building a business that depends partly on Medicare Advantage transportation contracts, you need to check each plan's specific supplemental benefits directly with that insurer, not assume it works like Medicaid NEMT. For Texas owner-operators, the realistic revenue base is Medicaid NEMT trips coordinated through the state's broker, not Medicare, unless you separately pursue Medicare Advantage plan contracts as a distinct line of business.
How do you start a medical transportation business?
Starting a medical transportation business means stacking several approvals in sequence: business formation, vehicle and insurance compliance, state licensing where required, Medicaid provider enrollment, and broker credentialing. Skipping steps or doing them out of order is the single biggest reason new NEMT owner-operators lose months. A workable order looks like this: 1. Form your business entity (LLC is common) and get an EIN. 2. Secure a compliant vehicle: a wheelchair-accessible van with a lift or ramp, tie-downs, and any state-required modifications. 3. Get commercial auto insurance with the liability limits your state and broker require; NEMT policies often run higher than standard commercial auto because of the passenger vulnerability factor. 4. Check whether your state requires a specific NEMT operating permit or Certificate of Public Convenience; Texas has had varying county- and city-level permit requirements historically, so confirm current rules with your local transportation regulatory authority and HHSC. 5. Enroll as a Texas Medicaid provider through TMHP to receive a Texas Provider Identifier. 6. Apply for network credentialing with the regional NEMT broker (currently MTM in most Texas MTP areas), which typically includes background checks, vehicle inspections, and driver qualification file review. 7. Get your dispatch and billing workflow set up before your first trip, not after. This is the same skeleton whether you're in Texas or any other state; only the specific agency names and forms change. For a state-by-state look at how this plays out, see medical transportation.
How to start a NEMT business step by step
A NEMT business (non-emergency medical transportation) starts the same way most small transportation companies do, but with the added layer of healthcare compliance stacked on top of standard trucking/passenger-vehicle rules. The steps below assume you're targeting Medicaid trips as your primary revenue source, since that's the largest single payer for NEMT nationally. Step one is deciding your service type: ambulatory sedan, wheelchair van, or stretcher van. Each has different vehicle costs, insurance requirements, and driver training needs. A used wheelchair-accessible minivan typically runs somewhere in the $20,000 to $45,000 range depending on age, mileage, and conversion type, though this is a market estimate, not a fixed government figure, and you should get current quotes from mobility dealers in your area. Step two is business and legal setup: entity formation, EIN, commercial insurance, and any required state or local transportation permits. Step three is Medicaid provider enrollment through TMHP, which requires background checks, an active NPI or TPI, and disclosure of ownership information. Step four is broker credentialing. This is separate from Medicaid enrollment and is done directly with whichever broker manages your service region (MTM in most current Texas MTP areas). Brokers typically want proof of insurance, vehicle inspection records, driver background checks, and sometimes a driving record review going back several years. Step five is operational readiness: dispatch software or a manual scheduling process, a billing method, and a plan for no-shows, cancellations, and mileage documentation, since brokers audit these regularly. For the mechanics of broker relationships specifically, see NEMT transportation.
How do you start a medical transportation business with one van?
Starting with a single van is common and completely workable for a first-year owner-operator; you just need to be realistic about capacity and build every approval around that one vehicle correctly rather than trying to shortcut steps to save time. With one van, your priorities are: get the vehicle Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant if you're doing wheelchair transport (working lift or ramp, secure tie-down system), carry adequate commercial auto insurance that names you as a for-hire passenger transport operation (more than personal or standard commercial coverage), and complete Medicaid enrollment and broker credentialing before you count on any trip volume from that source. One-van operators often underestimate two things: the time gap between applying for Medicaid enrollment and actually getting approved (which can run weeks to a couple of months depending on TMHP's current processing volume and completeness of your application), and the fact that some brokers require a minimum liability insurance limit that's higher than what a generic commercial auto policy provides by default. Confirm exact limits with your broker and with your insurance agent before you buy a policy, not after. A single van also means no redundancy: if it's in the shop, you have no trips. Build that risk into your business plan honestly rather than assuming continuous uptime.
What is non-emergency medical transportation, exactly, in plain terms?
Non-emergency medical transportation is a Medicaid-covered (and sometimes Medicare Advantage or private-pay covered) service that gets people to medical appointments when they have no other transportation option and don't need emergency care during the ride. It's the category your wheelchair van business lives in. Federal Medicaid rules at 42 CFR 431.53 require states to specify how they will meet the transportation needs of Medicaid beneficiaries to and from providers [2], and states carry that out through fee-for-service reimbursement, managed care plans, or (as Texas does) a broker model where a private company like MTM coordinates rides on the state's behalf across a defined region. Common NEMT trip types include dialysis (often three times a week for the same client, which is a stable revenue pattern many owner-operators build routes around), physical therapy, chemotherapy and radiation appointments, behavioral health visits, and routine primary care or specialist visits. Wheelchair van service specifically covers riders who use wheelchairs and can't transfer into a standard sedan; stretcher service covers people who must remain lying down. For the broader service category description, see non emergency medical transportation services.
How does Texas Medicaid provider enrollment actually work for NEMT companies?
Texas Medicaid provider enrollment for NEMT companies runs through TMHP, the state's Medicaid claims administrator, and results in a Texas Provider Identifier (TPI) once approved. This is a distinct step from broker credentialing, and both are required before you can legally bill Medicaid for NEMT trips in Texas. The TMHP enrollment packet typically asks for your business's legal structure documents, EIN, National Provider Identifier (NPI) if applicable, ownership disclosure, and attestations about criminal background and program exclusions. Federal Medicaid rules require disclosure of anyone with an ownership or controlling interest of 5% or more, a threshold set out at 42 CFR 455.104 [4]. Processing times vary and TMHP does not publish a fixed universal turnaround guarantee, so build slack into your launch timeline rather than assuming a specific number of weeks. Once you have your TPI, you're eligible to pursue broker network credentialing, which is a separate application with its own vehicle inspection and driver file requirements. Some new owner-operators mistakenly believe TMHP enrollment alone gets them trips; it doesn't. You need both the state enrollment and the broker contract to actually receive Medicaid-funded trip assignments in Texas's broker model. Because these requirements shift and every region's broker contact changes over time, confirm current specifics directly with TMHP and with HHSC's Medical Transportation Program before submitting anything, and treat any third-party summary (including this one) as a starting map, not a final answer.
What should I do if I get a wrong or disconnected Medicaid transportation number in Texas?
If a phone number you found online for Texas Medicaid transportation is disconnected or routes you somewhere unexpected, it's almost always because the broker contract has changed since that page was published, not because Texas Medicaid transportation stopped existing. Go straight to HHSC's Medical Transportation Program page for the current broker name and number by region. For Medicaid members, HHSC's 2-1-1 Texas information line can also route calls to the right social service and transportation resources if you're not sure who currently manages your region. For providers and vendors, TMHP's provider services line is the right channel for enrollment status questions, not a member-facing rider number. Don't rely on search results alone for anything time-sensitive like a ride booking; broker phone trees and hold times are commonly reported pain points, and having the wrong number wastes a trip window that can't always be rescheduled same-day.
Where NEMT owner-operators actually get stuck, and how a launch kit fits in
Most first-time Texas NEMT owner-operators get stuck at the same three points: figuring out which forms belong to TMHP versus which belong to the broker, meeting the insurance minimums brokers actually enforce (which are often higher than a generic commercial policy quote assumes), and tracking which regional broker currently holds their county, since that has changed more than once in Texas's contract history. None of that is legal complexity exactly, it's just a lot of paperwork spread across agencies that don't talk to each other, and a missed field or an outdated broker name can bounce an application back weeks later. That's the exact gap RideCredential's $199 one-time State + Broker NEMT Launch Kit is built to close: state-specific Medicaid enrollment checklists and broker credentialing document sets organized so you're not guessing which agency wants which form. It's a paperwork and process tool, not a guarantee of approval, and it doesn't replace confirming current requirements with TMHP, HHSC, or your regional broker directly. If you want to see how it maps to your state and current broker assignment, the launch-kit-builder walks through it region by region.
How to start a non-emergency medical transportation business without wasting your first six months
The owner-operators who launch fastest do three things in parallel instead of sequentially wherever possible: they start the vehicle purchase and insurance shopping at the same time they submit TMHP Medicaid enrollment, and they contact the current regional broker early to ask what their credentialing packet requires, rather than waiting until Medicaid enrollment is fully approved to even look at the broker's requirements. The owner-operators who lose months usually made one of these mistakes: they bought a van before confirming the ADA lift/ramp and tie-down specs their state or broker requires, they assumed a personal or generic commercial auto policy would satisfy broker insurance minimums, or they treated an old broker name found in a blog post as current without checking HHSC's page first. A realistic minimum timeline, acknowledging that exact processing times aren't publicly fixed by TMHP or brokers, is measured in weeks to a few months from business formation to your first credentialed trip, not days. Build your cash runway and personal schedule around that reality rather than an optimistic guess. For a look at how emergency-adjacent services differ from what you'll be doing, see emergency medical transport.
Frequently asked questions
What is the phone number for Medicaid transportation in Texas?
Texas Medicaid NEMT rides are booked through the state's regional broker, currently MTM in most Medicaid Transportation Program areas, often reached at 1-855-687-4786. Broker contracts and numbers change over time, so confirm the current number for your region on the Texas HHSC Medical Transportation Program page before relying on any number found online.
Is MTM the Medicaid transportation broker for all of Texas?
MTM has held the statewide NEMT broker role for most Texas Medicaid Transportation Program service areas in recent contract periods, but Texas has used different brokers and regional structures in the past. Confirm your specific region's current broker directly with HHSC before building contracts or marketing around any single broker name.
Does Medicaid cover ambulance rides in Texas?
Yes. Texas Medicaid covers medically necessary ambulance transportation when other transportation would endanger the patient's health, billed separately from NEMT wheelchair-van or sedan trips through TMHP's ambulance provider enrollment category. Ambulance service requires EMT staffing and DSHS EMS licensure, which is entirely separate from standard NEMT vehicle and driver requirements.
Does Medicare cover medical transportation?
Medicare Part B covers ambulance transport when other transportation would endanger the beneficiary's health and the destination is the nearest appropriate facility. Original Medicare does not have a general non-emergency transportation benefit like Medicaid does. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited supplemental NEMT benefits, but coverage varies by plan and must be confirmed with the specific insurer.
What is NEMT?
NEMT (non-emergency medical transportation) is Medicaid-covered transportation to medical appointments for people with no other transportation option who don't need emergency medical care during the ride. It includes wheelchair vans, ambulatory sedans, and stretcher vehicles, distinct from ambulance service, which involves emergency medical staff and equipment.
How do I start a medical transportation business?
Form your business entity, secure a compliant vehicle and commercial insurance, check state and local permit requirements, enroll as a Medicaid provider through your state's Medicaid administrator (TMHP in Texas), then get credentialed with your regional NEMT broker. Each step depends on the one before it, so sequence matters more than speed.
How do I start a NEMT business in Texas specifically?
Form your LLC, get a wheelchair-accessible or ambulatory vehicle with proper insurance, enroll as a Texas Medicaid provider through TMHP to get a Texas Provider Identifier, then apply for network credentialing with the current regional broker (MTM in most areas). Confirm every current requirement with TMHP and HHSC, since specifics change.
Can I start a medical transportation business with just one van?
Yes, many owner-operators start with a single wheelchair van or sedan. You still need full Medicaid enrollment, broker credentialing, and adequate commercial insurance before running Medicaid trips. Just plan for zero redundancy: if your one vehicle is out of service, you have no capacity until it's repaired.
What's the difference between NEMT and an ambulance ride under Medicaid?
NEMT covers routine, non-emergency trips to covered medical appointments using vans, sedans, or stretcher vehicles with a trained driver and no clinical staff. Ambulance transport is for situations where the patient's condition requires emergency medical response and staffing during transit, billed and licensed as an entirely separate Medicaid service category.
How much does it cost to get a wheelchair van for a NEMT business?
Used wheelchair-accessible vans typically run roughly $20,000 to $45,000 depending on age, mileage, and conversion quality, based on general mobility dealer market pricing rather than any fixed government figure. Get current quotes from mobility vehicle dealers in your state, since prices shift with used-vehicle market conditions.
Do I need to enroll with TMHP and also get credentialed with a broker?
Yes, both are required in Texas. TMHP enrollment gets you a Texas Provider Identifier as a Medicaid vendor. Broker credentialing (currently with MTM in most regions) is a separate application that reviews your vehicles, insurance, and driver files before assigning you trips. Skipping either step means you can't legally bill for or receive Medicaid NEMT trips.
How long does Texas Medicaid provider enrollment take for NEMT companies?
TMHP does not publish a single fixed universal processing time, and it depends on application completeness and current volume. Plan for a timeline measured in weeks to a couple of months from submission to approval, and build that slack into your launch schedule rather than assuming a fast turnaround.
What if the Medicaid transportation number I found online doesn't work anymore?
It's usually because the regional broker contract changed since that page was published, not because the service stopped. Go to the Texas HHSC Medical Transportation Program page for the current broker and number, or call Texas 2-1-1 for rider-facing help routing your call to the correct current resource.
Sources
- Texas Health and Human Services, Medical Transportation Program: Texas Medicaid Transportation Program is managed through a broker model, currently MTM in most service areas
- 42 CFR 431.53, Assurance of transportation: Federal Medicaid rules require state plans to ensure necessary transportation for beneficiaries to and from providers
- 42 CFR 410.40, Coverage of ambulance services: Medicare and Medicaid ambulance coverage requires that other means of transportation would endanger the beneficiary's health
- 42 CFR 455.104, Disclosure by Medicaid providers and fiscal agents: information on ownership and control: Medicaid requires disclosure of any person with an ownership or controlling interest of 5 percent or more
- Texas Health and Human Services: Texas Medicaid's Medical Transportation Program (MTP) provides non-emergency medical transportation for eligible Medicaid clients
- Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP): NEMT companies must complete Texas Medicaid provider enrollment through TMHP to bill for transportation services
- Medicaid.gov: Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is a required Medicaid benefit ensuring beneficiaries can get to and from medical appointments
- Medicare.gov: Medicare covers ambulance services only when other transportation could endanger the beneficiary's health
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR): Federal regulation defining nonemergency transportation as an optional or required Medicaid service under 42 CFR 440.170
- Texas Secretary of State: Starting a medical transportation business in Texas requires registering the business entity with the Texas Secretary of State