Medi-Cal Pays for Rides to Medical Appointments
What it is
If you have Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid — free/low-cost health coverage), it will get you to and from covered appointments: doctor, dental, mental health, pharmacy pick-ups. Two kinds: NMT (Non-Medical Transportation — an ordinary car/van when you just don't have a way to get there) and NEMT (Non-Emergency Medical Transportation — wheelchair van, litter van, or ambulance when you physically can't travel by car; a doctor authorizes it).
Who can get it
Anyone with full-scope Medi-Cal. Most LA-ring seniors on Medi-Cal are in a managed-care plan (L.A. Care, Health Net, Kaiser, Molina...).
What it costs
Free.
How to start
Find the member services number on the Medi-Cal plan card.
Call and say: "I need a ride to a medical appointment." Ask at least 5 business days before the appointment when you can.
Wheelchair van or gurney needed? Tell the plan — they'll arrange the doctor's authorization for NEMT.
No managed-care plan (fee-for-service)? Use the scheduling form on the state page and DHCS staff will email you the forms.
Official sources
We describe programs; we don't make medical, legal, or insurance decisions for you. For Medicare choices, HICAP counselors advise you free: (800) 434-0222. For anything medical, talk with the doctor.