Medical Transportation for Children in New Jersey

How Pediatric Medical Transport Differs from Adult NEMT

Transporting children to medical appointments is not simply a smaller version of adult NEMT. Pediatric medical transportation involves specific legal requirements, safety standards, and family coordination considerations that set it apart. Understanding these differences helps families arrange safe, appropriate transportation for their children and ensures the trip meets both NJ law and clinical best practices.

Delta Medical Transportation transports children throughout New Jersey for a wide range of medical appointments. Contact our team to discuss your child's needs, or see our service areas.

NJ Car Seat and Booster Laws

New Jersey law requires appropriate child restraints based on age and size:

• Rear-facing car seat: Children under age 2 or until they reach the maximum height and weight limit of their rear-facing seat (per the AAP's recommendation to keep children rear-facing as long as possible within the seat's limits)
• Forward-facing car seat with harness: Children who have outgrown the rear-facing limits, typically ages 2–4
• Belt-positioning booster seat: Children ages 4–8 or until 57 inches tall
• Seat belt: Children 8 and older or over 57 inches tall who can properly fit a lap and shoulder belt

NEMT providers must comply with these requirements. Families should inform Delta Medical Transportation of the child's age and weight when booking so we can ensure the correct child restraint is in place. For children who use both a wheelchair and require an infant or toddler car seat, coordination with the NEMT provider in advance is essential.

Guardian or Parent Must Accompany Minors

A parent or legal guardian (or a designated responsible adult — a known family member, school nurse, or medical aide designated in writing by the parent) must accompany any minor child during NEMT. Delta Medical Transportation will not transport an unaccompanied minor. This requirement protects both the child and the provider.

NJ Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare) Coverage for Pediatric NEMT

NJ FamilyCare covers NEMT for all enrolled pediatric Medicaid members — from infancy through age 21 — for trips to covered medical services. This includes:

• Primary care (pediatrician) appointments
• Specialist consultations (neurology, cardiology, orthopedics, etc.)
• Hospital outpatient departments
• Therapy appointments (PT, OT, speech therapy)
• Diagnostic testing (imaging, labs)
• Early Intervention services (for children under age 3)

Transportation is arranged through the child's MCO. The parent or guardian calls the MCO's member services line, requests transportation, and provides the appointment details. Transportation must generally be requested 48–72 hours in advance.

Children's Hospitals and Pediatric Specialty Centers in New Jersey

Delta Medical Transportation serves families traveling to pediatric specialty care facilities throughout New Jersey and the greater region:

• Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at RWJUH (New Brunswick) — a leading pediatric specialty center in Central NJ
• Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at HUMC (Hackensack) — children's hospital serving Northern NJ
• Goryeb Children's Hospital at Morristown Medical Center (Morristown) — serving Morris County and surrounding areas
• Children's Specialized Hospital (Mountainside, and locations statewide) — NJ's leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) — many NJ families travel to CHOP for pediatric specialty care; Delta serves NJ-to-CHOP trips
• Nemours Children's Health — Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington, DE) — another common destination for complex pediatric cases

Transportation for Children with Special Health Care Needs

Medically complex children — those with technology dependence (feeding tubes, tracheostomies, ventilators), complex medical conditions, or severe disability — have transportation needs that exceed standard NEMT. Delta Medical Transportation works with families of medically complex children to:

• Understand the child's specific equipment and positioning needs
• Ensure the vehicle can accommodate any medical equipment traveling with the child
• Brief the driver on emergency protocols (what to do if the child's trach occludes, what alarm sounds mean, etc.)
• Coordinate pickup timing around medication schedules and care routines

For medically complex pediatric patients, we strongly recommend a pre-trip conversation with our team before the first transport to ensure we are fully prepared.

Early Intervention Transportation

New Jersey's Early Intervention program provides services for children from birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. Transportation to Early Intervention services may be covered through NJ FamilyCare for Medicaid-enrolled children. Families should discuss transportation with their Service Coordinator during IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) development.

Getting a Physician Order for Pediatric NEMT

For Medicaid-covered trips, the MCO will typically require a physician order (also called a prescription for transportation) specifying:

• The patient's name and Medicaid ID
• Diagnosis requiring transportation
• Transport level needed (ambulatory with child safety seat, wheelchair, stretcher)
• Duration (one-time or standing order for recurring appointments)

The pediatrician or specialist can provide this order. For children with multiple specialists, the primary care pediatrician typically coordinates the physician order for transportation.