Medical transportation services get you to and from appointments and treatment when driving isn't an option. The main choices are Medicaid rides, non-emergency ambulance, wheelchair vans, public paratransit, volunteer driver programs, and senior ride services. Which one fits depends on your coverage, how you get around, and how often you need to go.
Key Takeaways
- If you have Medicaid, you may be able to get rides to covered care, but the rules vary by state, so ask your state Medicaid agency or plan how it works.
- Medicare may cover medically necessary non-emergency ambulance transportation in some cases, so ask what documentation and approval your trip needs.
- Wheelchair vans, paratransit, and volunteer programs fill important gaps, though many of them need to be booked in advance.
- If you can get in and out of a car on your own, a senior ride service can be booked by phone, without an app.
Getting to one appointment is a small puzzle. Getting to treatment is a bigger one. Physical therapy, cardiac rehab, dialysis, or a course of cancer treatment can mean the same trip over and over, sometimes several times a week.
If you've stopped driving, or a condition makes driving unsafe for now, the question isn't just how to get there once. It's how to get there reliably, week after week, without leaning on the same family member every time.
The good news is that you have more options than most people realize. The trick is matching the right one to your situation.
What are medical transportation services?
Medical transportation services are rides built around health care. Some are for emergencies, like an ambulance to the emergency room. Most rides are for everything else: checkups, procedures, therapy sessions, and treatment. That second group is often called non-emergency medical transportation, or NEMT.
The options differ in three big ways: who pays, what kind of vehicle shows up, and how much help the driver gives. A wheelchair van and a regular car are both "medical transportation," but they solve very different problems.
What are your options for medical transportation?
Here's how the main transportation options compare.
If a regular car works for you and an app is what's in the way, GoGoGrandparent arranges rides to medical appointments by phone at 1 (855) 464-6872. More on how that works below.
Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for medical transportation?
Sometimes, and the details matter.
Medicare covers ground ambulance transportation when traveling another way could put your health at risk. For non-emergency trips, Medicare may cover medically necessary ambulance transportation in some cases, and dialysis is one example it gives. Ask your provider and Medicare what documentation and approval your trip requires. For regular rides to a checkup, you'll usually need another option.
Medicaid works differently. State Medicaid programs are required to assure necessary transportation for members to and from their providers, and each state runs it its own way. Ask your state Medicaid agency or Medicaid plan whether you qualify for transportation and how to arrange it. Ask early, before the first appointment, so you know how far ahead rides need to be booked.
GoGoGrandparent does not work with or bill insurance. Check with your own insurance provider about transportation benefits.
What if you use a wheelchair or need extra help?
Matching the service to the person matters most when mobility is part of the picture.
If you ride in your wheelchair, you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Wheelchair transportation services and paratransit are built for that. Paratransit is run through local public transit agencies for people living with disabilities who can't use regular buses. Call your local transit agency to ask whether you qualify, how far ahead to book, and where it goes. If you're calling a private wheelchair van company, ask whether the driver helps you from your door to the vehicle, whether someone can ride along with you, and how much notice they need.
If you can move from a wheelchair or walker into a car seat on your own, a regular ride may work fine. GoGoGrandparent can arrange rides for people bringing walkers or foldable wheelchairs who can transfer without assistance. Mention your equipment when booking.
If you're having a procedure with sedation, plan for more than a ride. For something like a colonoscopy, you will need to arrange for someone to take you home, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Ask the clinic what they require for the trip home when you book.
Are there free rides to cancer treatment?
For cancer care, yes, in many areas. The American Cancer Society's Road To Recovery program gives free rides to cancer-related medical appointments. The catch is timing: it can take several business days to coordinate a ride, so the program asks you to call 1-800-227-2345 well before your appointment. What's available also varies by location.
Other volunteer driver programs exist through senior centers, faith communities, and local aging services. The Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 can connect you with local services for older adults.
How do you plan rides for ongoing treatment?
Regular treatment is easier when the rides run on a routine rather than a scramble. A few habits help:
- Book the whole schedule at once. If your therapy is every Tuesday and Thursday, set up those rides together instead of one at a time.
- Build in a buffer. Ask the clinic when you should arrive, then allow extra time for traffic, drop-off, and getting inside.
- Plan the ride home. Treatment can run long. Ask your ride service how to arrange the return trip and what to do if your appointment finishes late.
- Keep a backup. Save a second option's number, whether that's a family member, a volunteer program, or a ride service.
- Know who to call if a ride doesn't show. Call the service you booked with first, then let your provider know you're running late.
It also helps to keep a short list by the door: the address, the appointment time, the ride service's number, and anything you need to bring. The caregiver's guide to preparing for doctor visits has more on getting ready for the appointment itself.
How does GoGoGrandparent work for medical rides?
GoGoGrandparent's senior rides are built for people who can get into a car on their own but don't want to deal with an app. Here's how it works:
- Call 1 (855) 464-6872 and press 0 to speak with an operator. Operators are available 24/7.
- Share the address and appointment time. You can schedule rides in advance, which is handy for recurring treatment.
- An operator arranges your ride with a highly-rated driver from companies we partner with, like Uber and Lyft. Our GoGo Guardians team is able to monitor your ride along the way.
- When your appointment ends, call for the ride home.
If a family member helps with your appointments, they can be added to your account and book rides for you too. For a wider look at transportation services for seniors beyond medical trips, see this guide to transportation options for seniors.
GoGoGrandparent uses regular cars, so it isn't the right fit if you need a wheelchair van or hands-on help getting in and out. For everyday appointments and ongoing treatment, it's one phone call. To schedule a ride, call 1 (855) 464-6872.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare pay for rides to doctor appointments?
Medicare may cover medically necessary non-emergency ambulance transportation in some cases. For routine rides to appointments, you'll usually need another option.
What is non-emergency medical transportation?
Non-emergency medical transportation, or NEMT, means rides to health care that isn't an emergency, like checkups, therapy, and treatment. Medicaid covers it for eligible members, with rules that vary by state.
Can I get free rides to cancer treatment?
In many areas, the American Cancer Society's Road To Recovery program offers free rides to cancer-related appointments. Call 1-800-227-2345 several business days ahead.
Can I use GoGoGrandparent with a walker or wheelchair?
Walkers and foldable wheelchairs are fine, as long as you can get into the car on your own. If you need to ride in your wheelchair, a wheelchair van is a better fit.
