How do I schedule a ride with L.A. Care?

To schedule a ride with L.A. Care Health Plan, call L.A. Care Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY 711) and select the transportation prompt. If you are an L.A. Care Medicare Plus member, call 1-833-522-3767 (TTY 711).

Scheduling Details by Ride Type

• Non-Medical Transportation (NMT):
  • For basic rides like standard passenger cars, taxis, or public transit to doctor visits or prescription pickups.
  • Timing: Call at least 3 hours before your pickup time for regular requests, or as soon as possible for urgent needs.
• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT):
  • For specialized vehicles like wheelchair vans, litter vans, or ambulances if physical conditions prevent standard travel.
  • Timing: Call at least 48 hours (2 business days) before routine appointments.
  • Requirement: Requires a signed Physician Certification Statement (PCS) form from your doctor.

Information to Have Ready

When you call, make sure you have:

• Your Medi-Cal or L.A. Care member ID number
• Your pickup address and destination details
• The date, time, and address of your medical appointment
• Details on any specific physical or mobility assistance you might need

Yes, you can get free rides to medical appointments through Medicaid, and some state programs or managed care plans partner directly with Uber Health to provide rideshares.

How Medicaid Transportation Works

• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): Every state Medicaid program provides free NEMT services for medically necessary visits.
• Rideshare availability: Whether your ride is an Uber, a taxi, or a van depends on your state rules and your specific insurance plan.
• Strict rules: Free rides are only for going to and from approved health appointments, such as doctor visits, therapy, or picking up prescriptions. You cannot use them for work or running personal errands.

How to Request a Ride

• Call in advance: You must book your ride ahead of time (often 24 to 72 hours prior) through your state’s Medicaid transportation broker or your health plan.
• Check your benefits: Call the member services phone number listed on the back of your Medicaid card to ask if they use Uber or another specific transportation provider like Modivcare or Veyo in your area.

L.A. Care members with Medi-Cal or Medicare Plus are eligible for free transportation services if they lack other means to get to approved medical appointments.

Eligibility varies by the type of transportation needed:

Non-Medical Transportation (NMT)

• Who qualifies: L.A. Care Medi-Cal or Medicare Plus members who do not have access to a private car, family driver, or public transit for covered health care visits, prescription pickups, or medical supplies.
• Requirements: No special medical form is needed for ambulatory (walking) members, but rides must be to an approved, covered service.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)

• Who qualifies: Members whose physical or medical condition prevents them from traveling by standard car, bus, or taxi. This covers specialized transport like a wheelchair van, litter van, or ambulance.
• Requirements: Requires prior authorization and a signed Physician Certification Statement (PCS) form from a qualified healthcare provider.

You can get free transportation through Medi-Cal for covered medical, dental, mental health, and substance use appointments, as well as for picking up prescriptions and medical supplies.

Types of Transportation Covered

• Non-Medical Transportation (NMT): For members who can use standard transit (like a car, bus, train, taxi, or rideshare) but do not have another way to get there.
• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): For members who need special vehicles (like a wheelchair van, gurney van, or ambulance) because they cannot safely use standard transit. This requires a doctor's prescription or a Provider Certification Statement.

How to Request a Ride

• If you have a Managed Care Plan: Call your specific health plan's Member Services department (such as Health Net, Molina, or Blue Shield Promise). They arrange rides directly or through a contracted logistics company.
• If you have Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medi-Cal: Contact your medical provider or your local county Medi-Cal office to get the correct request forms or find approved transport providers.

Important Tips

• Timing: Request your ride as early as possible. It is best to call at least 2 to 5 business days (or up to 7 days for certain specialized NEMT services) before your appointment.
• Information to Have Ready: Keep your Medi-Cal beneficiary ID card, your appointment address, the doctor's name and phone number, and your exact appointment time ready when you call.

Original Medicare does not pay for Uber rides or routine car trips to doctor appointments.

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

• Original Medicare (Parts A & B): Never covers rideshare services, taxis, or standard cars. It only covers emergency ambulance transport or specific, doctor-ordered non-emergency ambulance services if you are bedridden or have severe medical necessity.
• Medicare Advantage (Part C): Some private plans do include non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) benefits that may partner with services like Uber or Lyft.

Important Rules for Medicare Advantage Uber Rides

• Varies by plan: Coverage depends entirely on your specific private insurer, location, and plan type.
• Must be booked through the plan: You cannot hail an Uber on your personal app and request a refund from Medicare or your insurer. Rides must be scheduled directly through your plan’s portal, app partnership, or transportation coordinator.
• Trip limits apply: Plans often restrict the number of annual trips, mileage caps (such as 50 miles one-way), or approved destinations (like doctor visits or pharmacies).