Health Insurance & Medical Costs · Surprise rank #359
Medicaid Pays for Medical Rides—and Mileage When an Approved Driver Takes You
Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) covers rides to appointments. You can get reimbursed for mileage if a relative drives you, or get a free livery/ambulette ride.
Who
Eligible Medicaid members who lack appropriate transportation to covered medical services.
What to do
Start here: Contact Medical Answering Services or the plan's transportation line, ideally at least three business days before the appointment.
Eligibility: Active Medicaid, a covered medical trip and advance authorization/documentation when required.
What you get
Medicaid can arrange or reimburse the least-cost medically appropriate transportation to covered care.
Benefit: Public transit, livery, ambulette, ambulance when medically necessary, or mileage reimbursement.
Possible value: Often hundreds to thousands of dollars annually for people with frequent appointments.
Good to know
Important: The transportation mode is based on medical need; routine trips generally require advance booking.
Availability: Year-round, per trip.
Why people miss it: Members assume rides are only for emergencies or wheelchair users.
Sources reviewed: Aug 2, 2026