Everything You Need to Know About NEMT Transportation in Massachusetts

Your Complete Guide to Non-Emergency Medical Transportation By FedNor Transportation | Boston and Massachusetts NEMT Provide

If you or someone you love depends on non-emergency medical transportation, you probably have a lot of questions. How does it work? Who pays for it? Is it covered by insurance? What do drivers actually earn in this industry? This guide answers the six most commonly searched questions about NEMT in Massachusetts, written by the team at FedNor Transportation, a Boston-based NEMT provider serving patients, seniors, and families throughout the Commonwealth.

FedNor Transportation, LLC. provides safe, compassionate, and reliable non- emergency medical transportation throughout Boston, Framingham, and all of Massachusetts. Call us at (781) 552–4559.

Question 1: How much do NEMT owners make?

This is one of the most common questions from people considering starting a non- emergency medical transportation business. The honest answer is that income varies widely depending on fleet size, contracts, and location. NEMT business owners in the United States typically earn between $50,000 and $200,000 per year. In Massachusetts, owners who hold active MassHealth and Medicaid contracts tend to earn more consistently because those contracts provide a reliable, recurring flow of trip assignments throughout the year. Here is a general breakdown of what affects NEMT owner income: Number of vehicles in operation. More vehicles means more trips and more revenue. Type of trips accepted. Wheelchair and stretcher transports pay significantly more per trip than ambulatory rides because of the specialized equipment and training required. Broker relationships. Owners who maintain strong working relationships with Medicaid brokers like ModivCare receive more consistent trip assignments. Geographic area served. Serving densely populated areas like Greater Boston increases trip volume naturally.

FedNor Transportation, LLC. started with a mission rooted in compassion and has grown by building a reputation for showing up reliably every single time. That reputation is what drives growth in this industry more than anything else.

Question 2: How much does Medicare pay for transportation for seniors?

This is a very important question and the answer surprises a lot of people.

Original Medicare, meaning Part A and Part B, generally does not cover non-emergency transportation for seniors going to routine doctor appointments. Many families assume Medicare covers all medical related transportation and are caught off guard when they receive a bill. However there is good news. Medicare Advantage plans, which are private Medicare plans offered by insurance companies, often do include non-emergency medical transportation as a covered benefit. Coverage amounts vary by plan but many Medicare Advantage plans cover rides to and from medical appointments at little to no cost to the patient. If you are a senior in Massachusetts or you are helping care for a senior family member, here is what you should do right now: Call the member services number on the back of the Medicare Advantage insurance card and ask directly whether non-emergency medical transportation is a covered benefit under the plan. Ask specifically whether wheelchair rides, stretcher transport, or ambulatory rides are covered separately. Ask for the name of their authorized NEMT provider in the Boston or Massachusetts area.

FedNor Transportation, LLC. works with Mass General Brigham Health plans throughout Greater Boston and Massachusetts. Call (781) 552–4559 to find out if your plan covers your ride.

Question 3: How much do NEMT brokers charge?

This question matters a lot if you are a patient trying to understand where your Medicaid transportation dollars go, or if you are an NEMT provider trying to understand your revenue. NEMT brokers act as the middleman between the state Medicaid program and the transportation providers who actually drive the patients. Brokers typically charge between 10 and 30 percent of the total ride cost as their management and coordination fee. In Massachusetts, the primary NEMT broker for MassHealth is ModivCare, formerly known as LogistiCare. The state of Massachusetts pays ModivCare to manage and coordinate all Medicaid transportation. ModivCare then contracts with local transportation companies like FedNor Transportation to fulfill the actual rides. This means that as an NEMT provider, your revenue per trip is a portion of what the broker receives after they take their coordination fee. Understanding this structure is essential for anyone budgeting a new NEMT business in Massachusetts. For patients, this system means that your transportation is managed and coordinated at no direct cost to you if you are a MassHealth member. You schedule through ModivCare and they assign a provider like FedNor Transportation, LLC. to pick you up.

Question 4: Does insurance cover long distance medical transport for seniors?

This is a question that comes up often for seniors who need to travel outside their immediate city for specialized medical care, such as cancer treatment at a Boston hospital or a specialist appointment far from home. The answer depends on the type of insurance coverage the senior has. Medicaid and MassHealth in Massachusetts cover long distance non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members when the trip is medically necessary and no closer provider is available. A letter of medical necessity from the treating physician is usually required for longer trips. Medicare Advantage plans may also cover longer distance rides depending on the specific plan terms. Coverage limits on mileage vary by plan so it is important to confirm this directly with the insurance provider before the trip. Private insurance coverage for long distance NEMT varies widely. Some plans cover it with prior authorization and a physician referral while others do not cover it at all. Here are the steps to take if you or a loved one needs long distance medical transportation in Massachusetts: Step 1. Contact your insurance provider and ask specifically about long distance NEMT coverage. Step 2. Ask your doctor to provide a letter of medical necessity if required by your plan. Step 3. Contact a trusted NEMT provider like FedNor Transportation who can help you navigate the authorization process and coordinate the trip from start to finish.

Question 5: How much does Medicaid pay NEMT providers?

Medicaid reimbursement rates for NEMT providers vary by state and by the type of trip being provided. In Massachusetts, MassHealth sets the framework and ModivCare negotiates the rates paid to transportation providers. Here is a general range of what Massachusetts NEMT providers can expect per one way trip: Ambulatory rides, meaning the patient can walk and does not require special equipment, typically reimburse between $15 and $35 per one way trip depending on distance. Wheelchair transportation reimburses significantly more because of the ADA-compliant vehicle requirements, wheelchair securement training, and additional time each trip requires. Rates typically range from $40 to $80 per one way trip. Stretcher and gurney transportation commands the highest reimbursement rates because of the specialized equipment, the two-person crew often required, and the higher level of patient care involved. Rates typically range from $80 to $150 or more per one way trip depending on distance and complexity. Providers who maintain excellent safety records, consistent on time performance, and positive patient feedback tend to receive more trip assignments from brokers, which directly increases total revenue. FedNor Transportation serves private pay recipients throughout Greater Boston and Massachusetts and is committed to the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and compassionate care on every single trip.

Question 6: What is the highest paid transportation job?

Within the non-emergency medical transportation industry in Massachusetts, compensation is directly tied to the level of specialization and responsibility involved. Here is how the pay tiers generally break down from entry level to highest earning: Ambulatory Transport Driver. This is the entry point into NEMT driving. Drivers transport patients who can walk independently but need a reliable ride to medical appointments. Pay is typically hourly or per trip and is higher than standard rideshare because of the medical environment and patient care responsibilities. Wheelchair Transport Driver. These drivers require additional training in ADA vehicle operation, wheelchair securement, and passenger assistance. Because of the specialized skills and equipment involved, these roles pay more than ambulatory transport. Stretcher and Gurney Transport Driver. This is the most specialized and highest paid driving role in NEMT. It requires advanced patient handling training, knowledge of stretcher securement, and often a two-person team. Pay reflects the higher responsibility and physical demands of the role. NEMT Fleet Owner and Business Owner. The highest earning role in the entire NEMT space is owning and operating a multi-vehicle NEMT company. A Boston area NEMT company with multiple vehicles, active Medicaid contracts, and strong broker relationships can generate significant and consistent income while making a real and meaningful difference in the lives of patients and seniors who depend on reliable transportation to stay healthy.

Are you looking for a career in medical transportation in Boston or Massachusetts? FedNor Transportation is always looking for compassionate, professional, and reliable drivers to join our team. Reach out to us today

FedNor Transportation, LLC.

About FedNor Transportation, LLC

FedNor Transportation, LLC is a Framingham-based non-emergency medical transportation provider serving patients, seniors, and families throughout Greater Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We offer wheelchair-accessible transport, stretcher and gurney transport, ambulatory rides, senior transportation, pediatric transportation, and dialysis rides. FedNor Transportation was named in loving memory of Fednor, a beloved father, brother, and friend who passed away in 2015. His spirit of compassion, patience, and genuine care for others lives on in every ride we provide. We do not just transport people. We carry forward a legacy of love. That is what FedNor stands for. And that is what you can expect, every ride, every time.

FedNor Transportation | Boston and Massachusetts NEMT

(781) 552–4559 | fednortransportation.com

Serving Boston, Framingham, and all of Massachusetts