How to get non-medical transportation
Your benefits include getting a ride to your appointments when the appointment is for a Medi-Cal covered service and you do not have any access to transportation.
You can get a ride, at no cost to you, when you have tried all other ways to get transportation and are:
- Traveling to and from an appointment for a Medi-Cal service authorized by your provider; or
- Picking up prescriptions and medical supplies.
L.A. Care allows you to use a car, taxi, bus, or other public or private way of getting to your medical appointment for Medi-Cal-covered services. L.A. Care will cover the lowest cost of non-medical transportation type that meets your needs. Sometimes, L.A. Care can reimburse you (pay you back) for rides in a private vehicle that you arrange.
L.A. Care must approve this before you get the ride.
You must tell us why you cannot get a ride any other way, such as by bus. You can call, email, or tell us in person. If you have access to transportation or can drive yourself to the appointment, L.A. Care will not reimburse you. This benefit is only for members who do not have access to transportation.
For mileage reimbursement, you must submit copies of the driver’s:
- Driver’s license,
- Vehicle registration, and
- Proof of car insurance
To request a ride for services that have been authorized, call Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY 711) at least two (2) business days (Monday - Friday) before your appointment. Or call as soon as you can when you have an urgent appointment. Have your member ID card ready when you call.
Note: American Indians may also contact their local Indian Health Clinic to request non-medical transportation.
Limits of non-medical transportation
L.A. Care provides the lowest cost non-medical transportation that meets your needs to the closest provider from your home where an appointment is available. Members cannot drive themselves or be reimbursed directly for non-medical transportation.
To learn more, call Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY 711).
Non-medical transportation does not apply if:
- An ambulance, litter van, wheelchair van, or other form of medical transportation is medically needed to get to a Medi-Cal covered service.
- You need help from the driver to and from the residence, vehicle or place of treatment due to a physical or medical condition.
- You are in a wheelchair and are unable to move in and out of the vehicle without help from the driver.
- Medi-Cal does not cover the service
Cost to member
There is no cost when L.A. Care arranges non-medical transportation.
Travel expenses
In some cases, if you have to travel for doctor’s appointments that are not available near your home, L.A. Care can cover travel expenses such as meals, hotel stays, and other related expenses such as parking, tolls, etc. They may also be covered for someone who is traveling with you to help you with your appointment or someone who is donating an organ to you for an organ transplant. You need to request pre-approval (prior authorization) for these services by contacting Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY 711).
Learn about Medical Transportation Benefits