Adaptive Transportation Services

Revised: June 23, 2026

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· Overview

· Authorization

· Eligible Children

· Eligible Providers

· Covered Adaptive Transportation Trip

· Noncovered Adaptive Transportation Services

· Documentation Specific to Adaptive Transportation

· Health Records and Documentation

· Billing

Overview

Medical assistance (MA) covers Individualized Education Program (IEP) adaptive transportation, as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0315, subpart 1, item F when a student has a physical or mental impairment that would prohibit them from safely accessing and using a common carrier. This may include a bus, taxi, other commercial transportation or private automobile.

Adaptive transportation is transportation to a medically necessary service provided in a specially adapted vehicle that has been physically adjusted or designed to meet the needs of the individual student with a disability. Adaptive transportation must be specified in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for it to be covered by Medicaid.

Authorization

The IEP or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team authorizes adaptive transportation services when included in an IEP or IFSP. Adapative transportation is considered a related service to access and attend school and receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the same way as students without a disability.

The child’s IEP or IFSP must identify the child’s impairment, explain how that condition prevents the child from accessing the same school bus, van or other vehicles used by students without a physical or mental impairment or disorder and what adaptations are necessary.

Eligible Children

To receive Medical Assistance (MA) reimbursement for adaptive transportation services, the child must be eligible for MA and the IEP or IFSP must show that adaptive transportation is needed.

The following must be documented:

· Supports the child’s needs: The child needs certain help or equipment to safely get on, ride, or stay on the transportation. Without these supports, the child would be unable to use the vehicle safely.

· Another IEP service that day: The child is receiving another IEP service on the same day so the transportation is needed to get them to that service.

Review MHCP Eligible Children in the IEP section of the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Provider Manual for a complete overview of eligibility requirements.

Eligible Providers

Vehicles used for adaptive transportation must be certified by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and either owned by the school or a school bus transportation provider contracted by the school or school district. The vehicle used must have adaptations that are specific to the needs of the child.

Examples of vehicle adaptations include the following:

· Special harnesses

· Wheelchair lifts

· Ramps

· Specialized environmental controls

· Specialized suspension systems

· And other modification to a vehicle as required by a student’s IEP

Covered Adaptive Transportation Trip

The following adaptive transportation services are covered:

· To and from school (picked up and dropped off at a school bus stop and handed off to designated person)

· Station to station (home to school and school to home, door step to door step)

· To or from a medical appointment during the school day that is related to their medical condition or mental health disorder and identified in their IEP

· To and from another IEP service that is identified in the child’s IEP

Noncovered Adaptive Transportation Services

· Services of bus drivers, bus supervisors, monitors or aides

· Transportation on a regular school bus used for transporting children that do not have a physical or mental health impairment

· Transportation for children who do not require a special adaptation to the vehicle

· Transportation provided by parents, stepparents, foster parents, family members and neighbors

· Transportation to or from home and school on a day when no other covered IEP service is provided

· Transportation by ambulance or another MA covered transportation provider

· Transportation billed with place of service “home”

· Adaptations to the vehicle

Documentation Specific to Adaptive Transportation

Listing a service in an IEP or IFSP does not meet the supporting documentation requirements for MHCP coverage. For services to be covered by MHCP when adaptive transportation is provided:

· to a medical appointment, the name of facility and the location must be documented on the transportation trip log.

· to another covered IEP service, the other service does not have to be billed; however, the other service must meet IEP service requirements and be documented as required.

Health Records and Documentation

Refer to the Record Keeping and Documentation section for basic record keeping requirements, service time and encounters, and record retention and requirements specific for adaptive transportation.

Billing

Submit claims using the 837P Professional claim type. Refer to the MN–ITS IEP User Guide for step-by-step instructions for direct data entry claims. Batch billers submitting X12 837P claims may review the MHCP 5010/D.0 Compliance Web page and the AUC Minnesota Uniform Companion Guide for transaction guideline.

Review the IEP Billing and Authorization section of this manual for general billing and the correct procedure codes, modifiers and units to use for adaptive transportation.

Legal References

Minnesota Statutes, 256B.0625, subdivision 26 (Covered Services)