Does Medicaid Cover Non-Emergency Medical Transportation in Florida?

Does Florida Medicaid Pay for Medical Transportation?

Yes — Florida Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) as a mandatory benefit for eligible members. This means that if you are enrolled in Florida Medicaid and need a ride to a covered medical appointment, you may qualify for free or low-cost transportation.

However, the process for accessing this benefit varies depending on your specific Medicaid plan and managed care organization. Understanding how the system works is key to getting the transportation you need.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for Medicaid NEMT in Florida, you generally must:

• Be enrolled in Florida Medicaid (including Medicaid Managed Care plans)
• Need transportation to a Medicaid-covered medical service
• Lack access to transportation through other means (no accessible vehicle, cannot drive, no family member available)
• Have your trip authorized through the appropriate process (see below)

How to Request NEMT Through Florida Medicaid

Florida Medicaid NEMT is managed differently depending on whether you are enrolled in a Fee-For-Service (FFS) plan or a Managed Care Plan:

Managed Care Plans (Most Common)

Most Florida Medicaid recipients are enrolled in a managed care plan. Each plan handles transportation differently. Contact your plan directly to:

1. Verify that your destination is a covered medical service
2. Request prior authorization for your trip (usually required)
3. Receive the assigned transportation provider or authorization code

Common Florida Medicaid managed care plans include Sunshine Health, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Simply Healthcare, and others.

Fee-For-Service Medicaid

If you are in the FFS program, NEMT is coordinated through the Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) program broker for your region. Contact your local broker to arrange trips.

What Types of Trips Are Covered?

Florida Medicaid typically covers NEMT for trips to:

• Physician and specialist appointments
• Dialysis centers
• Hospitals (non-emergency visits)
• Mental health and substance abuse facilities
• Dental, vision, and therapy appointments
• Pharmacy pickups (in some cases)

Trips must be to a Medicaid-covered service. Transportation for non-medical purposes is not covered.

Which NEMT Service Type Will Medicaid Cover?

Medicaid covers the most appropriate and cost-effective transport for your medical condition. This could be:

• Ambulatory transportation — if you can walk or need minor assistance
• Wheelchair transportation — if you use a wheelchair
• Stretcher transportation — if you cannot sit upright during transport

Your Medicaid plan will determine which level is approved based on your medical documentation.

What If My Medicaid Does Not Cover My Specific Trip?

If your Medicaid plan does not cover a particular trip, or if you need transportation beyond your coverage area, private-pay NEMT remains an affordable option. AVIVA MedTrans offers competitive, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and we work with various insurance plans beyond Medicaid.

Tips for Medicaid NEMT in South Florida

• Always request your ride at least 3–5 business days in advance when possible
• Keep your Medicaid plan's member services number handy
• Get the authorization number for your trip before the appointment
• Inform your transportation provider of any special needs (wheelchair, stretcher, bariatric)

Coordinating With AVIVA MedTrans

AVIVA MedTrans works with Medicaid and other insurance plans to provide seamless NEMT in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Read our guide on who qualifies for NEMT services to learn more. Call us at (844) 201-0110 to discuss your coverage and schedule your ride.