What Is NEMT?

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) is a required benefit under federal Medicaid law. States must provide transportation to and from medical appointments for Medicaid enrollees who have no other means of transportation.

"Non-emergency" means the transportation is for scheduled medical appointments — not ambulance services for medical emergencies. NEMT covers routine and ongoing medical care that is necessary but not urgent.

What NEMT Covers

NEMT typically covers transportation to:

• Primary care and specialist doctor visits
• Dental and vision appointments
• Dialysis treatments (often multiple times per week)
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
• Mental health and substance use disorder treatment
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
• Laboratory and imaging appointments
• Pharmacy trips (in some states)
• Prenatal and postpartum care

Types of NEMT Transportation

States provide NEMT through different transportation options depending on your needs and location:

• Ride-sharing services (Lyft, Uber) — increasingly common in urban areas
• Dedicated medical transport vehicles — for standard trips
• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles — for mobility device users
• Stretcher transport — for patients who cannot sit upright
• Mileage reimbursement — if a friend or family member drives you
• Bus passes or taxi vouchers — in some states

Who Qualifies

To receive NEMT, you must:

1. Be enrolled in Medicaid 2. Have a scheduled appointment for a covered Medicaid service 3. Have no other means of transportation — no car, no one who can drive you, and no accessible public transit

The "no other means" requirement is important. States may ask you to confirm that you cannot get to your appointment another way. If you have a car or a family member who can drive you, you may not qualify — though policies vary by state.

How to Schedule an NEMT Ride

The process for scheduling NEMT varies by state, but generally:

• Contact your Medicaid managed care plan — most plans have a dedicated NEMT phone line
• Call at least 2–3 business days before your appointment (some states require more notice)
• Provide your Medicaid ID, appointment details (date, time, location), and your address
• Confirm whether you need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle or other special accommodation
• Get a confirmation number and the name of the transportation provider
• Call to confirm the day before your appointment

If Your NEMT Request Is Denied

If your NEMT request is denied, you have the right to appeal. Contact your Medicaid managed care plan or state Medicaid office to request a fair hearing. Common reasons for denial include insufficient advance notice, the appointment not being covered by Medicaid, or a determination that other transportation is available.

If you have an urgent appointment and NEMT is not available in time, contact your state Medicaid office or a patient advocate for help.