What Is a Standing Order for Medical Transportation?
A standing order (sometimes called a blanket order or recurring authorization) is a physician-signed document that authorizes recurring non-emergency medical transportation over an extended period — typically 90 days to a year. Instead of requesting authorization from your Medicaid MCO before each appointment, a standing order covers all trips to the same location for the same recurring treatment.
Standing orders are most commonly used for:
- Dialysis — typically 3 trips per week
- Chemotherapy — weekly or bi-weekly infusion appointments
- Physical or occupational therapy — 2-3 times per week during a course of treatment
- Mental health appointments — weekly counseling or psychiatric medication management
- Wound care — recurring outpatient wound care visits
Why Standing Orders Matter
Without a standing order, Medicaid patients must call their MCO 3-5 business days before each appointment to request a ride authorization. For someone attending dialysis three times a week, that means 12 authorization calls per month — a significant burden for elderly or disabled patients. A standing order removes this burden entirely.
How to Get a Standing Order
Step 1: Ask Your Doctor
Ask the physician overseeing your recurring treatment to write a standing transportation order documenting:
- Your diagnosis and the medical necessity of recurring transportation
- The frequency of appointments (e.g., three times per week, Monday/Wednesday/Friday)
- The destination (facility name and address)
- The vehicle type required (ambulatory, wheelchair van, or stretcher)
- The duration of the order (e.g., April 2026 through December 2026)
Step 2: Submit to Your Medicaid MCO
Once your doctor signs the order, submit it to your NJ Medicaid MCO's NEMT department. Your NEMT provider or the facility social worker can often assist with submission.
Step 3: Confirm Approval and Schedule
After approval, contact your authorized NEMT provider to set up the recurring schedule. Keep a copy of the approval for your records.
Step 4: Renew Before Expiration
Most standing orders expire after 90-180 days. Ask your doctor to sign a renewal at least 2 weeks before expiration to avoid a gap in coverage.
Private Pay Standing Schedules
Even if you use private-pay NEMT, establishing a recurring schedule with your provider functions like a standing order: your transportation is automatically booked for each appointment date. Contact Delta Medical Transportation to set up a recurring schedule for dialysis, therapy, or any regular appointment throughout our New Jersey service area. Call (973) 389-3110.