Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is often considered the most critical link to healthcare access. Not all federal medical programs fund non-emergency transportation. Medicare, for example, funds ambulance trips only.
Medicaid, however, began funding NEMT in the 1970s. Medicaid is a partnership between the federal and state governments. While the federal regulations are part of the Social Security Act, the legislation gives states wide latitude in how they administer this program. Therefore, each state provides Medicaid services and related NEMT differently. A valuable resource is your state’s Medicaid transportation representative who can explain your state’s specific information.