How to Get Free Transportation With Medicare Advantage

Getting to the Doctor Shouldn’t Be This Hard

Here’s a number that might surprise you: 3.6 million Americans miss or delay medical appointments every year because they simply can’t get a ride. And for adults over 60 — especially those who’ve stopped driving or live in rural areas — the problem is even worse.

If you’ve ever worried about how you’ll get to a doctor’s appointment, a lab, or a pharmacy, you’re not alone. The good news? If you’re wondering how to get free transportation with Medicare Advantage, the answer may be simpler than you think.

Many Medicare Advantage plans now include free or low-cost transportation as a supplemental benefit. That means rides to medical appointments, the pharmacy, and sometimes even the grocery store — all at no extra charge to you.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how this benefit works, who qualifies, how to use it, and how to make sure you’re getting every ride you’re entitled to. Let’s get you moving.

What Is the Medicare Advantage Transportation Benefit?

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover non-emergency medical transportation. That means if you need a ride to a routine doctor visit, a dialysis appointment, or a follow-up with a specialist, traditional Medicare won’t help pay for it.

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C), on the other hand, are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans are allowed to offer extra benefits beyond what Original Medicare provides — and transportation is one of the most popular supplemental benefits available today.

According to the Better Medicare Alliance, approximately 76% of Medicare Advantage enrollees had access to a transportation benefit in 2024. That’s a massive increase from just a decade ago, when this benefit was relatively rare.

Here’s what the transportation benefit typically includes:

• Rides to and from medical appointments — doctor visits, specialist consultations, lab work, physical therapy, and more
• Pharmacy trips — picking up prescriptions at your local pharmacy
• A set number of one-way trips per year — commonly 24 to 72 one-way trips, though some plans offer unlimited rides
• Various ride types — sedans, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and sometimes public transit vouchers

Some plans have expanded this benefit even further, covering rides to approved wellness activities, grocery stores, or even senior centers. It depends entirely on your specific plan.

How to Find Out If Your Plan Includes Free Rides

Not every Medicare Advantage plan offers transportation, and the details vary widely from one plan to another. Here’s how to find out exactly what you’re covered for:

1. Check your Evidence of Coverage (EOC). This is the detailed document your plan sends you each year (usually in the fall). Search for “transportation” or “supplemental benefits” in the table of contents. It will spell out how many trips you get, what types of appointments qualify, and any distance limits.
2. Call your plan’s member services number. The number is on the back of your Medicare Advantage card. Ask specifically: “Do I have a non-emergency medical transportation benefit, and how do I use it?”
3. Log in to your plan’s member portal. Most insurance companies now have online portals or apps where you can view your benefits and even book rides directly.
4. Use Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder tool. If you’re comparing plans during Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7), you can filter plans by supplemental benefits, including transportation.

If you’re not currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers this benefit, you can switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period or, in some cases, during a Special Enrollment Period. For a deeper look at what Medicare covers, visit our Medicare Benefits Hub.

How to Book Your Free Rides: Step by Step

Once you’ve confirmed your plan includes transportation, booking a ride is usually straightforward. Most plans partner with ride-coordination companies like ModivCare (formerly LogistiCare), MTM, or even Lyft and Uber Health.

Here’s the typical process:

1. Schedule in advance. Most plans require you to book your ride at least 48 to 72 hours before your appointment. Some allow same-day booking, but don’t count on it.
2. Call the transportation line. Your plan will have a dedicated phone number for scheduling rides. This is usually different from the general member services number. You’ll find it in your EOC or on your plan’s website.
3. Use an app or online portal. Many plans now let you book rides through a smartphone app or website. If your plan partners with Lyft or Uber Health, you might use a simplified version of those apps.
4. Provide your details. You’ll need to share your name, member ID, pickup address, appointment address, appointment time, and any special needs (like a wheelchair-accessible vehicle).
5. Confirm your ride. You’ll usually receive a confirmation call or text. On the day of your appointment, the driver will pick you up at the scheduled time.

Pro tip: Always schedule your return trip at the same time you book your ride there. If your appointment time is unpredictable (like at a specialist), ask if your plan offers a “will-call” option, where you call for a pickup when you’re ready.

Tips to Get the Most Out of This Benefit

Having the transportation benefit is one thing. Making the most of it is another. Here are some practical tips from seniors who use this benefit regularly:

• Track your trips. Keep a simple log of how many rides you’ve used. If your plan gives you 48 one-way trips per year, that’s 24 round trips — roughly two per month. Plan accordingly so you don’t run out before the year ends.
• Bundle appointments. Try to schedule multiple medical appointments on the same day or in the same area to make efficient use of your allotted rides.
• Ask about expanded coverage. Some plans cover rides to the pharmacy, mental health appointments, or even approved fitness programs like SilverSneakers locations. You won’t know unless you ask.
• Have a backup plan. Rides can occasionally be late or get canceled. Keep the phone number of a local taxi service or a friend who can step in if needed.
• Request accessibility features early. If you use a wheelchair, walker, or need a vehicle with extra space, mention this when booking. Accessible vehicles may have more limited availability.
• Don’t let unused trips go to waste. If it’s late in the year and you have trips remaining, consider scheduling that overdue eye exam, dental visit, or wellness check.

For more ways to maximize your Medicare coverage, explore our Medicare blog for the latest tips and updates.

What If Your Plan Doesn’t Offer Transportation?

If your current Medicare Advantage plan doesn’t include a transportation benefit — or if you’re on Original Medicare — you still have options:

• Medicaid transportation. If you’re enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligible), your state Medicaid program is required by law to provide non-emergency medical transportation. Contact your state Medicaid office to learn how to arrange rides.
• Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Nearly every county in the United States has an AAA that coordinates free or low-cost rides for seniors. Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to find yours.
• Veteran transportation programs. If you’re a veteran, the VA offers the Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) and the Beneficiary Travel program for rides to VA medical facilities.
• Community and faith-based programs. Many churches, synagogues, and community organizations offer volunteer driver programs for older adults.
• Switch plans during Open Enrollment. If transportation is important to you, make it a priority when comparing Medicare Advantage plans each fall. The right plan could save you hundreds of dollars in ride costs each year.

Remember, the best plan isn’t always the one with the lowest premium. Sometimes the plan that gets you to your appointments reliably and safely is worth its weight in gold.

Your Health Depends on Getting There

Transportation might not sound like a glamorous healthcare benefit, but it’s one of the most practical and life-changing perks that Medicare Advantage plans offer. Missed appointments lead to delayed diagnoses, worsening conditions, and preventable hospital visits.

A 2021 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that patients who missed appointments due to transportation barriers had significantly higher rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations. In other words, getting a reliable ride isn’t just convenient — it can literally keep you healthier and out of the hospital.

If you or someone you love has been skipping appointments because getting there feels impossible, take a few minutes this week to check your plan’s transportation benefit. It might already be there, waiting for you to use it.