Medicare, Medicaid, and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

Non-emergency medical transportation is not typically covered under Medicare Plans Part A and Part B.  However, some Medicare Advantage plans may cover transportation to doctor appointments.  Patients may also be able to get non-Medicare transportation to doctor appointments through various organizations such as Area Agency on Aging.

Medicare Part B does cover ground ambulance transportation when traveling in another vehicle could endanger the health of the patient and, thus, renders a medical necessity when traveling to/from the following:

• Hospital
• Critical access hospital
• Skilled nursing facility

Medicare can pay for emergency ambulance transportation in an airplane or helicopter if the patient needs immediate and rapid transport that ground transportation can’t provide.  Some cases may have Medicare pay for limited, medically necessary, non-emergency ambulance transportation if the patient has a written order from a doctor stating that the transportation is a medical necessity.  After meeting the Medicare Part B deductible, the patient is responsible for paying 20% of the Medicare-Approved Amount.

Additionally, it is important to note that Medicare will only cover ambulance services to the nearest appropriate medical facility that’s able to give you the care you need.