Free and Low-Cost Rides to Medical Appointments

What this program is, in plain English

Non-emergency medical transportation is a required Medicaid benefit, not an optional extra. Federal rule 42 CFR 431.53 says every state Medicaid program must assure a ride to and from covered medical care for anyone who has no other way to get there. How the ride is delivered is up to your state, so you call the number on your Medicaid card, usually a few days ahead, and they arrange it. Second, your Area Agency on Aging funds senior transportation in most counties, often a dial-a-ride van or volunteer drivers, with no income test and usually a suggested donation rather than a fare. Third, ITNAmerica operates a paid volunteer-driver service for older adults in a number of communities, available any hour, including for trips that are not medical. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include a set number of rides each year that members forget they have.

What you actually get

Scheduled rides to medical appointments and, through aging network services, rides to the pharmacy, the grocery store, and senior centers.

Who qualifies

• Income limit: Not yet verified — call to confirm
• Medicaid NEMT requires Medicaid enrollment and a covered appointment. Aging network transportation generally requires only that you are 60 or older.

What to have ready

• Medicaid card
• The appointment date, time, and address

How to apply

This program is run by State Medicaid agencies, Area Agencies on Aging, and local transit and volunteer driver programs. Most decisions take Most Medicaid ride programs ask for two to three business days' notice.