Haris Ashley
In the United States, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that all citizens have a federal-certified major medical healthcare plan. While the ACA does not cover emergency or non-emergency transportation by ambulance, some Medicare plans may cover transportation to medical appointments, depending on the specific plan and provider. For example, Blue Shield Promise offers prepayment assistance for public rides like taxis or buses, and reimbursements for private rides from family or friends. In Canada, the cost of taxi rides to doctor's appointments may be claimed under medical expenses on taxes if they meet the eligibility criteria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicare Part B covers ground ambulance transportation | When traveling in another vehicle could endanger your health |
| Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with access to plans with transportation assistance | 98% |
| Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with access to plans with over-the-counter items | 99% |
| AHCCCS members with mandatory copayments for taxi services | $2.00 per one-way trip |
| Eligibility for Medicare | 65 years old and not receiving social security, elderly, pregnant women, adults and children with disabilities |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue Shield Promise: reimburses private car rides from family/friends
- Texas Health and Human Services: offers taxi rides for non-emergency medical appointments
- Medicare Advantage: offers transportation assistance, but provider choice varies
- Medicaid: covers transport costs for those without other means of transportation
- Canada: allows claiming taxi costs for doctor visits as medical expenses on taxes
Blue Shield Promise: reimburses private car rides from family/friends
As a Blue Shield Promise member, you can get a ride to and from your doctor's appointments at no cost. Blue Shield Promise covers non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) rides to medically necessary services. NEMT can be requested when you are unable to secure a ride through Blue Shield Promise Transportation Services. Before getting NEMT, you need to request the service through your doctor, who must complete a form and send it to Blue Shield Promise.
Blue Shield Promise also covers non-medical transportation (NMT) when you are travelling to and from a doctor's appointment. You can get a private car ride from a family member or friend, and Blue Shield Promise will reimburse the driver based on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) standard medical mileage rate. To get reimbursed, you must inform Blue Shield Promise by phone, email, or in person that you tried and were unable to get a ride from Blue Shield Promise Transportation Services. The driver must also provide a valid license and insurance.
If an aide is not a family member or friend, they can be paid for their time at the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) hourly rates. Reimbursements are available where allowed by law and are covered up to the IRS' day rates. To request reimbursement, download and fill out the Reimbursement Form and submit it with your receipts.
Blue Shield Promise members can also schedule rides through Call the Car, which offers a mobile application (CTC-Go) for healthcare transportation. CTC-Go is available on iOS and Android and allows members to review, rate, cancel, and schedule reservations. Please book a ride at least 24 hours in advance.
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Texas Health and Human Services: offers taxi rides for non-emergency medical appointments
Texas Health and Human Services offers non-emergency medical transportation services for Medicaid beneficiaries or their children. These services are available to those who have no other means of transportation. The Nonemergency Medical Transportation Program (or NEMT) provides rides to a doctor's office, dentist's office, hospital, drug store, or any place that provides covered health care services. This includes public transportation, taxi or van services, and commercial transit for out-of-city appointments.
To be eligible for the NEMT program, you must be enrolled in one of the following programs: Texas Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or Texas Health Steps. If you are enrolled in one of these programs, you can request a ride by calling 877-633-8747 (877-MED-TRIP) at least two workdays before your appointment or five days before if it is outside your county. You will need to provide the following information: your Medicaid ID or Social Security number, the name of the medical professional you are seeing, the address and phone number of your appointment location, your pickup address and phone number, the reason for your visit, the date and time of your appointment, and any unique needs such as a wheelchair.
It is important to note that children 14 and younger may not travel without a parent or guardian, and children ages 15-17 may travel without a parent but must have written permission from a parent or guardian before the trip. Additionally, Medicaid can pay someone else to drive you to your appointments, such as a relative, friend, or neighbor, if they sign up to become an ITP. To be eligible, you or your driver must have a current driver's license, license plates, up-to-date vehicle registration, and car insurance.
The NEMT program also provides additional benefits, such as funds for gas, meals, and lodging for children and youth 20 and younger who need to stay overnight to receive covered health care services. It also covers some out-of-state travel to neighboring states, including Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. However, it is important to note that the services do not include emergency or non-emergency transportation by ambulance.
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Medicare Advantage: offers transportation assistance, but provider choice varies
Medicare Advantage plans may offer non-emergency transportation to plan-approved locations. However, it is important to note that not all Medicare Advantage plans include transportation benefits, and the availability of such plans differs based on location.
Medicare Advantage combines the benefits of Medicare Part A and Part B into a single plan. Medicare Part B may cover emergency and non-emergency ambulance services when deemed medically necessary and ordered by a doctor. Medicare Advantage plans should offer the same coverage as Original Medicare, including emergency and non-emergency transportation when medically necessary.
Medicare Advantage plans may also provide broader transportation benefits, including rides to doctor's appointments, fitness centres, and specialty care. Some plans may even cover rides to fitness classes and cooling centres during heatwaves. Ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft have partnered with some Medicare Advantage programs to provide transportation. These services can be very affordable, with some subscription services offering rides for as little as $10 per month.
To learn more about the specific Medicare Advantage plan options and transportation benefits available in your area, it is recommended to speak with a licensed insurance agent or compare plans online.
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Medicaid: covers transport costs for those without other means of transportation
Medicaid is a federal health program that helps low-income individuals and families access basic medical services. It is available across all 50 states, often in combination with state support. One of the critical services that Medicaid provides is assistance with transportation costs for those without other means of transportation to access covered medical services. This includes non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) to and from medical providers.
The specific transportation methods covered by Medicaid can vary but may include taxi or van services, commercial transit such as buses or planes for out-of-town appointments, and even reimbursement for gas money. Medicaid may also pay someone else to drive you to your appointments, such as a relative, friend, or neighbour, if they sign up to become an ITP. However, it is important to note that certain requirements must be met, such as possessing a current driver's license, up-to-date vehicle registration, and car insurance.
The availability and reimbursement rates for Medicaid transportation can differ depending on the state and the contracts negotiated with transport providers. On average, Medicaid covers a significant portion of ambulance trip costs, ranging from $25 to $250, with varying out-of-pocket expenses for patients. In some states, there may be a minor co-pay per trip, such as $1 to $2 each way.
To request transportation through Medicaid, individuals must be enrolled in the program and not have any other means of transportation. They should set up an appointment with their doctor or medical provider and call to request a ride in advance, with the timeframe depending on whether the appointment is within or outside their county. Same-day rides may be approved in specific circumstances, such as when a doctor or dentist requires seeing the patient on the same day.
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Canada: allows claiming taxi costs for doctor visits as medical expenses on taxes
In Canada, eligible medical expenses can be claimed on your tax return to reduce the tax that you have paid or will have to pay. These expenses include a wide range of products, procedures, and services, such as hospital services, nursing care, premiums paid to private health-care companies, prescription drugs, and medical aids.
Taxi costs for doctor visits are not explicitly mentioned as a claimable expense. However, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) states that its list of eligible expenses is not exhaustive, so it is worth checking with the CRA to see if taxi costs for doctor visits can be claimed.
To claim medical expenses on your tax return, you must complete Lines 33099 and 33199 of your tax return form. On Line 33099, you can claim the total eligible medical expenses that you, your spouse, or common-law partner paid for any dependent children under 18 years of age at the end of the tax year. On Line 33199, you can claim the part of the eligible medical expenses that you or your spouse/common-law partner paid for dependent children 18 years of age or older, as well as other dependent relatives.
It is important to note that you can only claim the part of an eligible expense that has not been or will not be reimbursed. You will also need to keep receipts for your expenses, as these may be requested by the CRA at a later date.
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Frequently asked questions
To get a taxi covered by your medical insurance, you need to check your specific plan and provider. For example, Blue Shield Promise covers non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) rides to medically necessary services, including prescribed drugs. You can also use non-medical transportation (NMT) to and from a doctor's appointment.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers emergency and non-emergency ambulance transportation when traveling in another vehicle could endanger your health. Medicare Advantage plans also offer transportation assistance, but the specific plan and provider determine whether family members or caregivers can accompany you.
Yes, Medicaid can pay for taxi rides to your appointments. You or your driver must have a current driver's license, license plates, up-to-date vehicle registration, and car insurance.
Yes, you can claim the cost of taxi rides to doctor's visits and the hospital as a medical expense on your taxes. However, you must have receipts and documentation, as these expenses have a high chance of being reviewed.
If your medical insurance does not cover taxi rides, you can look into short-term health insurance plans or private health insurance plans, which may offer more flexibility in terms of coverage. You can also compare plans on a private health marketplace, such as Smart and Simple Insurance, to find the best option for you.
