Medical Appointments Are Useless If You Can't Get There.
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Transportation Barrier Nobody Talks About
You have a doctor's appointment at 10 AM. You don't have a car. You can't afford a taxi. You can't walk because of your disability. You can't figure out the bus system. You miss the appointment.
Your condition worsens because you missed follow-up. You end up in the ER, costing thousands. All because you couldn't get transportation. Your Medi-Cal Plan provides free transportation!
Transportation is the #1 reason Medi-Cal members miss medical appointments.
Fact #1: Research shows that 20-30% of missed medical appointments are due to transportation barriers—and members who miss appointments have significantly worse health outcomes, more hospitalizations, and higher overall healthcare costs.
Here's what most Medi-Cal members don't know: If you can't drive due to your medical or physical condition, your Medi-Cal plan provides door-to-door transportation to medical appointments—completely free.
What NEMT Provides
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) includes:
Transportation Services:
Wheelchair-accessible vehicles for members using wheelchairs
Litter vans for members who need to lie down
Sedan transportation for members who can sit upright
Ambulance transport when medically necessary
Assistance:
Driver helps you in and out of vehicle
Driver helps you in and out of medical facilities
Assistance from your home to appointment location
Coverage:
Transportation to medical appointments
Transportation to dental appointments
Transportation to mental health appointments
Transportation to substance use disorder treatment appointments
Transportation to pick up medications and medical supplies
Attendant Coverage:
One attendant (family member, caregiver, or support person) can travel with you
Attendant transportation is covered at no cost
How to Qualify for NEMT
You need a Provider Certification Statement from a licensed healthcare professional stating that:
Your medical or physical condition prevents you from using regular transportation
NEMT is medically necessary for you to access healthcare
Once certified, NEMT is your benefit—use it for any covered medical appointment.
Fact #2: Members with access to NEMT keep 85% of medical appointments, compared to 60% of members without transportation assistance—significantly improving health outcomes and reducing emergency care utilization.
How to Access NEMT
The Process:
Ask your doctor to complete a Provider Certification Statement
Submit the certification to your Medi-Cal plan
Call to schedule transportation at least 5 days before your appointment
Transportation arrives at your home
Driver takes you to your appointment and back home
No cost to you
How Help Is Hope Helps You Access NEMT
Our care team helps Medi-Cal members understand NEMT eligibility and access transportation services.
If you're missing appointments due to transportation:
Complete our intake form and tell us about your transportation barriers
Our team helps your doctor complete Provider Certification Statement
We help you understand NEMT and how to schedule
You access the transportation you need to keep appointments
Your health improves because you can actually get to care
Learn more about how our Enhanced Care and Community Support services include transportation coordination.
You Shouldn't Miss Healthcare Because You Can't Drive
Medical appointments are only effective if you attend them. You deserve transportation.
Book a session with our care team and let's get you connected to NEMT. Your Medi-Cal plan covers it.
No more missed appointments. No more health deterioration due to transportation barriers. Transportation to get your care.
Hope is not a luxury. It is a lifeline. Let us help you get to your appointments.
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