The Best Ways Seniors Can Travel to Medical Appointments
Reliable rides for seniors to medical appointments can be the difference between staying healthy and facing preventable health complications.
Finding dependable senior medical transportation requires understanding insurance benefits, community resources, and private service options. From Medicare coverage to volunteer programs, multiple solutions exist to help seniors access the healthcare they need without transportation stress.
The key is knowing which options work best for your situation, budget, and mobility needs to ensure consistent access to medical care.
Key takeaways
Medicare covers emergency ambulance transportation and some medically necessary non-emergency transport, while many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional transportation benefits for routine medical appointments.
Medicaid provides non-emergency medical transportation at no cost for covered medical appointments, but requires advanced scheduling through state transportation brokers.
Specialized senior ride services like GoGoGrandparent and community programs through Area Agencies on Aging offer alternatives when insurance doesn't cover transportation needs.
Insurance-covered transportation options
Understanding which transportation services your insurance covers helps you access rides without unexpected costs.
Medicare transportation benefits
Original Medicare Part B covers emergency ambulance transportation when traveling in any other vehicle could endanger your health. After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. For 2025, the Part B deductible is $257.
Medicare may also cover medically necessary, non-emergency ambulance transportation if you have a written order from your doctor stating that the transportation is medically necessary. This typically applies to situations like dialysis treatments for patients with end-stage renal disease.
Medicare Advantage plans often include non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) benefits as supplemental coverage, though availability varies by plan and region. Some plans partner with rideshare services like Uber Health to provide covered rides to medical appointments.
Medicaid medical transportation (NEMT)
The Medicaid Transportation program ensures Medicaid members can get to and from their medical appointments at no cost. Transportation to medical care is a mandatory Medicaid benefit, so this coverage is available in all states.
To request transportation, call your state’s office at least two workdays before your appointment. All trips must be prior approved by the transportation manager.
Trips are arranged at the most medically appropriate, cost-effective level of service. Transportation options may include:
Public transit
Taxi/livery
Ambulette
Ambulance
Personal vehicle mileage reimbursement
Medicaid can also pay someone else to drive you to appointments, like a relative, friend or neighbor, if they sign up to become an Individual Transportation Participant.
Private insurance and supplemental coverage
Some Medicare Advantage plans include transportation benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers. These benefits may include scheduled rides for routine doctor visits, transportation for physical therapy sessions, or coverage for pharmacy trips.
Some employer retiree health plans and Medicare transportation options provide additional coverage. Review your specific plan documents or contact your insurance provider to understand what transportation services are included.
Long-term care insurance policies sometimes include transportation provisions for covered medical services, though this varies significantly between policies and providers.
Ride service options
Multiple private and community-based services provide reliable transportation when insurance coverage isn't available or sufficient.
Specialized senior transportation services
GoGoGrandparent is a phone-based concierge service that helps seniors and adults without smartphones access rides, groceries, meals, prescriptions, and home services—without needing apps or the internet. You can call their toll-free number at 1-855-464-6872, and GoGo coordinates everything on your behalf.
GoGoGrandparent operates across all 50 U.S. states, as well as in Canada and Australia, though availability depends on local Uber and Lyft coverage in your area.
Traditional rideshare options (Uber/Lyft)
Uber Health and Lyft healthcare partnerships allow family members and care providers to book rides to medical appointments for patients. These services often include features like ride tracking and appointment coordination with healthcare facilities. Uber for seniors, for example, helps seniors share their location with their loved ones.
Uber’s WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) service provides rides for seniors with mobility devices, though availability varies by location. Both Uber and Lyft offer features like ride scheduling, driver ratings, and fare estimates that can help seniors plan transportation costs.
Public transportation and paratransit
ADA paratransit services provide door-to-door transportation for eligible seniors who cannot use fixed-route public transit due to disabilities. Eligibility requires certification through your local transit authority, and advance reservations are typically required.
Many public transit systems offer senior discounts and reduced fare programs for fixed-route services. These programs often provide significant savings for seniors who can access regular bus or rail services.
Volunteer and community-based programs
Area Agencies on Aging provide transportation services for adults age 60 or older through local partnerships and volunteer programs. Transportation options can include public transit assistance, volunteer driver programs, and coordination with local transportation providers.
Faith-based organizations and community volunteer programs often provide free or low-cost rides to medical appointments. These programs typically require advance scheduling and may have limited availability based on volunteer driver availability.
How to arrange and pay for medical rides
Planning ahead and understanding payment options helps ensure reliable transportation to medical appointments.
Transportation through healthcare providers
Many hospitals and large medical practices offer transportation coordination services for patients who lack reliable transportation. Social workers and discharge planners can help arrange rides for follow-up appointments and ongoing care.
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) covers transportation to PACE centers for medically necessary care and may also cover transportation to doctor appointments within your community.
Some healthcare systems partner with rideshare companies to provide discounted or covered transportation for patients, particularly for follow-up visits after hospital discharge.
Cost considerations and payment options
Out-of-pocket costs for different services
Insurance reimbursement and billing procedures
Financial assistance and sliding scale programs
The cost of transportation varies significantly based on factors like the type of service and how far you need to go. GoGoGrandparent is usually 20% less than taxi rates, with costs varying based on distance and traffic conditions.
Medicare transportation coverage varies by plan type, while some state Medicaid programs cover the costs of taxis, Uber, and Lyft for medical transportation.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include transportation allowances or vouchers that can be used for medical appointments, though coverage details vary significantly between plans.
Planning ahead for regular medical appointments
Establishing transportation routines helps ensure consistent access to healthcare. Keep the following best practices in mind:
Schedule transportation when you book medical appointments, particularly for services requiring advance planning like specialty consultations or procedures.
Plan in advance, as it’s typically required to schedule transportation at least two business days in advance, but long-distance appointments may require additional time.
Develop backup options for service disruptions, including contact information for multiple transportation providers and family members who can provide emergency rides.
Keep a transportation emergency kit with provider phone numbers, insurance cards, and medical appointment schedules.
Consider coordinating multiple appointments on the same day to reduce transportation costs and simplify scheduling, particularly when using services that charge per trip rather than per appointment.
Bottom line
Multiple transportation options exist for seniors needing rides to medical appointments, from insurance-covered services to private ride companies and community programs. Medicare covers emergency and some medically necessary transportation, while Medicaid provides comprehensive medical transportation benefits for eligible recipients.
When insurance doesn't cover transportation needs, specialized services like GoGoGrandparent and community programs through Area Agencies on Aging offer reliable alternatives. The key is exploring all available resources and understanding which options work best for your specific situation and budget.
Don't let transportation barriers prevent you from accessing essential healthcare. Contact your insurance provider, local Area Agency on Aging, and healthcare providers to understand your transportation options and develop a reliable plan for medical appointments.
FAQ section
Does Medicare pay for rides to medical appointments?
Original Medicare covers emergency ambulance transportation and some medically necessary non-emergency transport when ordered by a doctor, but generally doesn't cover routine rides to medical appointments.
Many Medicare Advantage plans include non-emergency medical transportation benefits for routine doctor visits, though coverage varies significantly by plan. Some Humana plans, for example, provide transportation coverage.
How do I qualify for free medical transportation for seniors?
Medicaid provides free non-emergency medical transportation for covered appointments if you're enrolled in Medicaid and have no other means of transportation. Area Agencies on Aging also provide free transportation services for seniors age 60 and older in many communities.
What is the cheapest way for seniors to get to doctor appointments?
Public transportation with senior discounts typically offers the lowest cost option for seniors who can use fixed-route services.
Can family members be reimbursed for driving seniors to medical appointments?
Some Medicaid programs allow family members to become Individual Transportation Participants and receive reimbursement for providing rides to medical appointments.
Private insurance policies rarely reimburse family members, though some Medicare Advantage plans may offer caregiver support benefits that include transportation assistance.
How far in advance should I schedule medical transportation?
Medicaid transportation typically requires scheduling at least two workdays before appointments. Some services may require additional time if you’re requesting appointments far away.
What happens if my medical ride doesn't show up?
Contact the transportation provider immediately to report no-shows and request alternative arrangements. Keep backup transportation options available, including family contacts and alternative ride services.
You should also document service failures for insurance complaints or to request different transportation providers through your plan.
Sources
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025, Aug 12). Non-emergency medical transportation. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicaid-coordination/states/non-emergency-medical-transportation
GoGoGrandparent. (n.d.). Transportation for seniors. https://www.gogograndparent.com/service/rides-for-seniors
GoodRx. (2024, Aug 26). Does Medicare cover medical transportation? https://www.goodrx.com/insurance/medicare/medicare-cover-transportation
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Ambulance services coverage. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/ambulance-services
New York State Department of Health. (2025, Aug). Medicaid transportation. https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/members/medtrans_overview.htm
Texas Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Nonemergency medical transportation program. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chip/medicaid-chip-members/nonemergency-medical-transportation-program
UnitedHealthcare. (n.d.). Does Medicare cover transportation services? https://www.uhc.com/news-articles/medicare-articles/medicare-transportation-services