Free and Low-Cost Transportation for Clients
Home visiting programs do a great job connecting families with community resources and public services. But sometimes those connections mean having to show up. And sometimes transportation isn’t readily available or affordable. So LABBN compiled this handout of transportation resources (in English and Spanish) to help your clients get a ride.
Transportation Services Through Medi-Cal
If your client has Medi-Cal, explore this option first. Our handout lists options by managed care plan, and you can read benefit details on this page from the California Department of Health Care Services. Here are some key points from DHCS:
Medi-Cal offers free transportation for eligible beneficiaries to and from covered medical appointments, including dental, mental health, and pharmacy visits. Services include Non-Medical Transportation (NMT) (cars, rideshare, or bus) for those with full-scope coverage and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) (ambulances, wheelchair vans) for those with medical necessity.
Key Details for Medi-Cal Transportation:
- How to Schedule: Most rides must be booked 24 hours to one week in advance, though some services may have quicker turnaround times.
- Requirements: NEMT requires a doctor’s prescription (Provider Certification Statement).
- Coverage: Rides are available for medically necessary services, including appointments, pharmacy pickups, and medical supplies.
- What to Have Ready: When booking, provide your Medi-Cal ID number, address, appointment date/time, and doctor’s information.
- Contact: Call your local health plan directly or the number on your Medi-Cal card to arrange transport.
NEMT vs. NMT Services
- NEMT (Non-Emergency Medical Transportation): Specifically for patients who cannot use public or private transport due to their physical or mental condition. It includes gurney or wheelchair transport.
- NMT (Non-Medical Transportation): Used when the member cannot provide their own transport, covering private cars, taxi, or public transit.
Note that these services are not for emergencies. For emergency medical needs, call 911.