Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not pay for routine transportation to appointments, but some Medicare Advantage plans include non-emergency medical transportation as an extra benefit.
- Medicare covers ambulance services only when medically necessary — meaning a regular vehicle would endanger your health — and your doctor must order it.
- If you cannot drive and need help getting to appointments, programs like Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation, senior centers, and local Area Agencies on Aging may cover rides at no cost or low cost.
- You should ask your doctor's office about transportation services they offer, as many hospitals and clinics run their own shuttle programs.
- If you use a taxi or rideshare service out of pocket, you may be able to deduct the cost on your taxes if you itemize medical expenses.
What Original Medicare Covers and Does Not Cover
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not pay for transportation to get to your doctor's office, hospital, or lab for routine appointments. This includes taxi rides, rideshare services, mileage reimbursement, or public transportation. The program covers the medical services themselves — the doctor visit, the test, the treatment — but not the trip to receive them.
The one exception is an ambulance. Medicare Part B covers ambulance services when a doctor determines that using any other form of transportation would be unsafe or could worsen your condition. The ambulance must be medically necessary, not just convenient. Your doctor or hospital must order it, and the ambulance company must be Medicare-approved. You typically pay 20 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible.
Medicare Advantage Plans and Transportation Benefits
Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) include non-emergency medical transportation as a covered benefit. This means the plan may pay for a ride to a covered medical appointment. However, not every plan offers this, and the details vary widely — some plans cover a set number of trips per year, others cover unlimited trips, and some require you to use a specific transportation provider that the plan contracts with.
To find out whether your plan covers transportation, call the customer service number on your Medicare Advantage card or log into your plan's website. Ask specifically whether non-emergency medical transportation is included and what the rules are: which appointments count, how many trips are covered, whether you need prior approval, and which providers you can use. If your plan does not offer this benefit, you may be able to switch to a different plan during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7 each year).
Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
If you may have access to for both Medicare and Medicaid (sometimes called "dual may be able to access"), Medicaid may cover non-emergency medical transportation to appointments. This is a separate benefit from Medicare and is run by your state. Medicaid typically covers rides to medical appointments, dialysis, mental health visits, and other covered services. The program usually arranges the transportation for you rather than reimbursing you after the fact.
To use Medicaid transportation, you generally need to call ahead and schedule your ride, often 24 to 48 hours before your appointment. The program may use contracted taxi companies, medical transportation services, or public transit vouchers depending on your state and what is available in your area. If you think you may may have access to for Medicaid, contact your state Medicaid office or your local Area Agency on Aging to learn about income limits and how the process works.
Senior Centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and Local Programs
Many communities offer free or low-cost transportation for seniors through local programs that are not part of Medicare or Medicaid. Your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) can tell you what is available in your area. Some AAAs run their own transportation programs; others coordinate rides through senior centers, volunteer driver programs, or partnerships with local transit agencies.
To find your local Area Agency on Aging, visit the Eldercare Locator at eldercare.acl.gov or call 1-800-677-1116. You can also contact your city or county parks and recreation department, which often knows about senior transportation services. Some programs are free; others charge a small donation or fee based on your income. may be able to access and availability vary by location, so it is worth asking even if you do not think your area has anything — many programs exist but are not widely advertised.
Hospital and Clinic Transportation Services
Many hospitals, cancer centers, dialysis facilities, and large medical practices run their own transportation programs for patients. These may be free or low-cost and are sometimes available even if you do not meet income limits for other programs. Ask your doctor's office or the hospital directly whether they offer rides to appointments.
Some facilities provide shuttle services from a central location or parking area. Others arrange rides through a contracted service. A few offer mileage reimbursement or gas cards for patients who drive themselves. These programs are not always advertised on the hospital website, so calling the patient services or social work department is often the fastest way to find out what is available.
Using Your Own Transportation and Tax Deductions
If you drive yourself or pay out of pocket for a ride to a medical appointment, you may be able to deduct the cost on your federal income tax return — but only if you itemize deductions rather than taking the standard deduction. The IRS allows you to deduct either the actual cost of gas and oil or the standard mileage rate for medical travel (the rate changes each year; check the IRS website for the current year's amount).
You can also deduct taxi, rideshare, and public transportation fares if they are for a trip to receive medical care. Keep receipts and a record of the dates and purposes of the trips. This deduction only helps if your total medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income and you itemize deductions, so it may not reduce your taxes unless you have significant medical costs.
Planning Ahead When Transportation Is a Barrier
If you know transportation will be difficult for an upcoming appointment, tell your doctor's office as soon as you schedule. Many offices can work with you — they may be able to schedule multiple appointments on the same day, refer you to a closer location, or help you connect with transportation resources. Some practices also offer telehealth visits for follow-up appointments, which eliminates the need to travel.
If you are having trouble getting to appointments because of transportation, ask to speak with a social worker at your hospital or clinic. Social workers know local resources and can often help you find a ride or connect you with a program you did not know existed. Do not skip appointments because of transportation — there is usually a solution, and a social worker's job is to help you find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare pay for Uber or Lyft to a doctor's appointment?
Original Medicare does not pay for rideshare services. Some Medicare Advantage plans include non-emergency medical transportation, which may cover rideshare, but you need to check your specific plan. If you use rideshare out of pocket, you cannot deduct it unless you itemize taxes and your total medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your income.
What if I need a ride but cannot afford one?
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (find it at eldercare.acl.gov or call 1-800-677-1116) to learn about free or low-cost senior transportation programs in your area. Ask your doctor's office about hospital shuttle services or patient transportation programs. If you may have access to for Medicaid, it may cover non-emergency medical transportation.
Does Medicare cover gas money or mileage if I drive myself?
Medicare does not reimburse mileage or gas. However, if you itemize deductions on your taxes and your total medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, you can deduct either actual gas and oil costs or the IRS standard mileage rate for medical travel.
Can I use an ambulance to get to a routine appointment?
No. Medicare only covers an ambulance when a doctor determines that using any other transportation would be unsafe or could harm your health. Routine appointments do not meet this standard, even if you have mobility problems. Talk to your doctor about other transportation options.
What should I do if my Medicare Advantage plan does not cover transportation?
You can switch to a different plan during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) if another plan in your area offers transportation benefits. You can also explore Medicaid transportation if you may have access to, or contact your Area Agency on Aging about local senior transportation programs.