The IEP or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team authorizes special transportation services when included in an IEP or IFSP. Special transportation is considered a related service to access and attend school and receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as other children without a disability.

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

Examples of vehicle adaptations include:

A wheel chair lift, special car seat, special harness, special seat belt, safety vest or other pieces of equipment that are needed to transport the child to school

A one-on-one aide or personal care assistant (PCA) is assigned to a specific child during transport when there is a history of the need for continuous redirection or intervention due to at least one level 1 behavior, or the child displays increased vulnerabilities or socially inappropriate behaviors that would cause injury to themselves, others or damage to the vehicle or the property of others.

Shared care services by an aide or PCA for up to three children when appropriate and reasonable for each child that displays infrequent level 1 behavior's. (For example, one aide PCA may sit between two children to intervene or redirect episodic level 1 behaviors during transport.)

When a child requires the care of a licensed nurse or a PCA during the special transportation trip. Bill the special transportation service and the health-related nursing or PCA service on two separate claims.

To qualify for Medical Assistance (MA) payment reimbursement the child must be MA eligible:

Without adaptations specific to the child, the child would not be able to access or remain on the special transportation vehicle used to transport the child

The child is receiving another related IEP covered service on the same day the special transportation is provided