Does Medicare Cover Transportation Services? Good question. Medicare transportation services are a vital part of the Medicare program. Above all, they help seniors get to their doctor appointments, physical therapy sessions, and other necessary medical treatments. If you are a senior who needs assistance getting around, you may be eligible for Medicare transportation services. In this blog post, we will discuss what these services entail, how to qualify for them, and how to access them.
When Does Medicare Help With Transportation?
If you have Original Medicare, Part A, and Part B, you may be eligible for transportation services to and from your doctor’s appointments. These services are also known as “non-emergency medical transportation” or “NEMT.” If you qualify for NEMT, Medicare Cover Transportation to and from:
- Doctor’s appointments
- Tests and screenings
- Preventive services
- Physical therapy appointments
- Mental health counseling sessions
To qualify for NEMT, you must:
- Be enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B
- Have a scheduled appointment with a doctor or other medical provider that’s covered by Medicare
- Live in an area where NEMT services are offered
- Be unable to travel to your appointment by any other means
If you meet all of the above criteria, you can receive transportation services from one of the following:
- A private company that has a contract with Medicare
- Your state’s Medicaid program (if you have Medicaid)
- An organization that provides volunteer driver services
To access NEMT services, you will need to contact one of the above organizations and schedule a ride. Once you have done so, you will be able to receive Medicare Cover Transportation to and from your doctor’s appointments. If you have any questions about NEMT or would like help finding a provider in your area, please contact us.
When Does Medicare Not Help With Transportation?
There are some instances in which Medicare will not help with transportation costs. These include:
- If you need transportation to an appointment that is not covered by Medicare (such as a routine check-up or cosmetic procedure)
- If you need emergency transportation (such as to the hospital)
- If you can travel to your appointment by another means (such as by car or public transportation)
- If you need transportation to an appointment that is more than 50 miles away from your home
Do Medicare Advantage Plans Help?
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C plans, are an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans are offered by private insurance companies and they must cover all of the benefits that Original Medicare covers. In some cases, they may also offer additional benefits, such as transportation services. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, please contact your plan provider to see if transportation services are included in your plan.
Do Medigap Plans Help?
Medigap plans are supplemental insurance policies that can help cover the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. But, these plans do not cover transportation costs.
Do Dr. Offices Help with Transportation with Medicare Beneficiaries?
Some doctor’s offices may offer transportation assistance to their Medicare patients. However, this is not a requirement and each office is different. If you need help getting to your doctor’s appointment, please contact the office to see if they offer any transportation assistance.
Transportation Companies That Work With Medicare!
Many transportation companies work with Medicare to provide NEMT services. Below is a list of just a few:
- AARP Roadwise Driver Program
- AMR Access Transport
- Caring Partners Transportation Network
- Easterseals Transportation Solutions
- Logisticare Solutions, LLC.
- Medicaid Ride Connection Services
- Redi-Ride HealthCare Transportation
- Senior Care Options Program of Senior Whole Health
- The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers’ Senior program
- Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland’s Rides to Wellness Program
- Veyo Logistics, LLC.
- Westchester Medical Center’s ParaTransit Service
- Wheels For Life, Inc.
- Zimride by Lyft
If you need transportation to and from your doctor’s appointments, there are many options available to you. For more information on NEMT or to find a provider in your area, please contact us. Thanks for reading!
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all the companies that provide NEMT Services. Just to name a few that are more or less national brands available for you to look up or reach out to. Keep in mind there are hundreds of companies available nationally.
If you ever have questions about which company works best for you. If you need someone to look at your options based on your zip. Or if you just need to look up what is available based on your coverage we are here to help in any capacity that you need.
