Senior Transportation: The Insider’s Guide Budget Seniors, December 27, 2025February 26, 2026 Key Takeaways: Quick Answers About Senior Transportation 📝 ❓ Critical Question✅ Quick AnswerWhat’s the best free resource to find local rides?📞 Call 211 or Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116Does Medicare cover transportation?⚠️ Original Medicare: NO (except ambulance). Medicare Advantage: 36% of plans include itDoes Medicaid cover transportation?✅ Yes—ALL states must provide non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT)What about veterans?🎖️ DAV provides FREE van rides to VA medical facilities nationwideCan I get help even without insurance?✅ Yes—paratransit, senior centers, volunteer drivers, and 211 referralsHow much does paratransit cost?💵 Typically $2-$4 per ride (no more than twice regular bus fare) 🏥 1. Medicare Advantage Covers Transportation—But Only 36% of Plans Offer It Let’s be blunt: Generally, transportation that is not medically necessary is primarily a benefit of the Medicaid program, but some Medicare Advantage plans also offer this benefit. Original Medicare (Parts A & B) does NOT cover rides to the doctor—only emergency ambulance transport. But here’s what most seniors don’t realize: In 2024, 36% of individual Medicare Advantage plans and 88% of special needs plans offered patients transportation services. Insurance TypeTransportation Covered?What’s Included💡 What to DoOriginal Medicare (Parts A & B)❌ NO (except ambulance)Emergency medical transport onlySwitch to Medicare AdvantageMedicare Advantage (Part C)✅ 36% of plansRides to medical appointments📞 Call your plan and ASKSpecial Needs Plans (SNPs)✅ 88% of plansMore generous transportation🏆 Best option if you qualifyMedicare Supplement (Medigap)❌ NODoes not add transportationNot helpful for rides In recent years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) gave privately-run Medicare Advantage carriers more flexibility to expand supplemental benefits to include ridesharing options. How to Check Your Plan: 📞 Call the number on your Medicare card 🌐 Log into your plan’s member portal 📋 Review your Evidence of Coverage document Ask specifically: “Do I have non-emergency medical transportation benefits?” 🩺 2. Medicaid NEMT: The Free Ride Benefit Every State MUST Provide This is the transportation benefit that nobody talks about: Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): Medicaid can pay for transportation to medical appointments, which may include the use of public transportation, taxis, and rideshare vehicles. Discover Allstate 55 and Retired DiscountBetween 2018 and 2021, Medicaid paid for up to 4 million beneficiaries to use nonemergency medical transportation services each year. Medicaid NEMT FeatureWhat It CoversHow to Access💡 Key PointMedical Appointments✅ Doctor, dentist, pharmacyCall your Medicaid officeMust be Medicaid-enrolledDialysis Transport✅ 3x weekly coveredRequest through your clinic🏆 Critical for ESRD patientsMental Health Visits✅ Therapy, psychiatrySchedule in advanceDon’t miss appointmentsTransportation TypeBus, taxi, Uber/Lyft, vanState determines providersVaries by state If you don’t have a car or can’t drive, you can get a ride to your doctor visits. You may also get a ride if you need to visit the dentist, drug store, grocery store, senior center or any place you get Medicaid services. How to Request Medicaid Transportation: 📞 Call your state Medicaid office 📞 Contact your managed care plan Schedule rides 48-72 hours in advance Have your Medicaid ID number ready ♿ 3. ADA Paratransit: The Civil Right to Rides Most Seniors Don’t Know They Have The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public transit agencies that provide fixed route service to provide “complementary paratransit” service to people with disabilities who cannot use the fixed route bus or rail service because of a disability. Many older adults qualify for service under the definition of disability. ADA Paratransit FeatureWhat’s RequiredYour Rights💡 Reality CheckService AreaWithin ¾ mile of bus routes🏠 Door-to-door serviceMust apply for certificationHoursSame as regular bus serviceCan’t be refused eligible tripsBook 1 day in advanceFareNo more than 2x regular farePersonal Care Attendants should not be charged a fare Usually $2-$4 per ridePickup WindowWithin 1 hour of requested timeParatransit pickups are considered on-time if they occur within 30 minutes of the scheduled timePlan for wait times Paratransit programs are public transportation systems designed specifically for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Operated by local transit authorities, they provide door-to-door rides within a set service area. Paratransit services are federally required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Discover CenterWell Senior Primary CareHow to Apply for Paratransit: 📞 Contact your local public transit agency Complete an eligibility application May require in-person assessment Certification typically valid 1-5 years 🎖️ 4. Veterans: DAV Transportation Network Provides FREE Rides to VA Facilities DAV operates a fleet of vehicles around the country to provide free transportation to and from VA medical facilities for injured and ill veterans. Volunteer drivers operate these vehicles at more than 247 VA locations around the country. DAV TransportationCoverageRequirements💡 LimitationsCost🏆 100% FREEMust be a veteranVolunteer-operatedWhereTo/from VA medical centersVA appointment required247+ locations nationwideWho Can RideAmbulatory passengers (passengers who are able to move around without the driver’s help) VA.govMust be ready at pickup timeNot wheelchair-accessibleVehicles DonatedSince the program’s inception in 1987, DAV departments and chapters have donated 3,833 vehicles and Ford Motor Co. has donated 269 vehiclesContact Hospital Service CoordinatorVolunteer drivers needed! Each month, between 1,500 and 1,700 Veterans receive DAV transportation. VA.gov DAV Contact ResourcesPhoneNotesDAV National Headquartersdav.orgFind Hospital Service CoordinatorLos Angeles VA310-268-3344 ext. 53344Mon-Fri, 7am-4pmWashington DC VA202-745-8177Schedule in advanceSan Diego VA858-552-7470Southern California coverageMinneapolis VA612-467-2768Mon-Fri only Military veterans may be eligible for the Veterans Transportation Service provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Depending on your location, the Veterans Transportation Service can help transport you to and from VA health care facilities free of charge. 📱 5. Uber & Lyft Healthcare: The Rideshare Revolution for Medical Appointments Drivers such as Carr have become a critical part of the medical transportation system in Georgia, as well as in Washington, D.C., Mississippi, Arizona, and elsewhere. Rideshare Healthcare OptionWhat It OffersWho Pays💡 Best ForLyft HealthcareLyft Concierge, Pass, and Business Profiles address healthcare transportation needs Insurance or healthcare providerScheduled medical ridesLyft AssistedA driver will offer them light assistance to help get them from the outside door of their pick-up location to the exterior door of their destinationHealthcare partnersSeniors needing mobility helpUber HealthMedical transportation coordinationMedicare Advantage, Medicaid plansNon-emergency appointmentsUber Flex CardUber offers riders the option of using their Flex Card to pay for eligible ridesPre-loaded benefits cardMA plan members From April 2022 to April 2024, Lyft drivers completed thousands of rides that were greater than 50 miles each way and that began or ended at Atlanta-area medical treatment centers. While 75% of those trips were under 100 miles, 21% of them were between 100 and 200 miles and 4% were over 200. Discover Costco Membership Fee for SeniorsWhat Lyft Assisted Drivers Can Help With: Lending an arm, elbow, or hand for stability Opening and closing doors Storing light personal belongings Walking to the door of the destination What They CANNOT Do: Enter any building Physically carry riders Provide medical assistance Transport wheelchairs (non-folding) 📞 6. Essential Contact Resources: Your One-Stop Guide to Finding Rides ResourcePhone NumberWebsiteWhat They Help With🆘 Dial 211211 (from any phone)211.orgOperated by United Way, the service offers referrals to transportation as well as other services👴 Eldercare Locator1-800-677-1116eldercare.acl.govTo find your local Area Agency on Aging, search Eldercare Locator by ZIP code🚗 Rides in Sight1-855-607-4337ridesinsight.orgNational transportation database showing cost, eligibility requirements and hours of operation🗺️ Community Transportation MapN/Anationalcenterformobilitymanagement.orgPublic transit, volunteer drivers, mobility programs🎖️ DAV Transportationdav.orgFind local Hospital Service CoordinatorFree veteran rides to VA📱 Uber Flex Card Line833-873-8237uberhealth.comPay for rides with benefits card 🏛️ 7. State-by-State: Some States Offer FREE Transit for Seniors Pennsylvania offers free transit and shared-ride programs to help provide affordable transportation options for senior citizens: The free transit program allows senior citizens to ride free on local fixed-route service whenever the local public transit system is operating. To be eligible, you must be 65 years of age or older. Pennsylvania Government StateFree Transit AgeWhat’s Covered💡 How to Get ItPennsylvania65+Free on local fixed-route serviceGet senior transit ID cardPennsylvania Shared-Ride65+Senior citizens pay 15 percent of the fare, and the Lottery Fund pays the remaining 85 percentDoor-to-door serviceMost States65+ or 60+Reduced fare (typically 50% off)Show Medicare card or IDYour StateVariesCheck with local transit📞 Call 211 for local info 🏘️ 8. Volunteer Driver Programs: The Hidden Network of Free Rides More than 40% of older adults and younger adults with disabilities get rides from family, friends and neighbors. But what if family isn’t available? Volunteer Program TypeWho OperatesCost💡 Where to FindFaith-Based ProgramsChurches, synagogues, mosquesUsually FREEContact local congregationsSenior Center ShuttlesArea Agency on AgingFREE or low-cost📞 Eldercare LocatorITNAmericaNational nonprofitMembership-baseditnamerica.orgRoad to RecoveryAmerican Cancer SocietyFREEFor cancer patients onlyGoGoGrandparentConcierge serviceRides can be booked anytime via a toll-free call1-855-464-6872 In many parts of California, local churches and nonprofit organizations offer volunteer driver programs for seniors. These rides may be limited to specific hours or destinations, but they can be a lifeline, especially in more rural or remote areas. 📊 9. The Cost of NOT Providing Transportation: Why This Matters One in four (26%) seniors admitted to skipping medical care, with 13% missing at least once in the past year. The top reasons for seniors skipping medical care: lack of transportation and access to medical care (64%) and economic insecurity (35%). Transportation ProblemHealth ConsequenceStatistic💡 What This MeansMissed AppointmentsDisease progressionThere was a 26% no show rate overall. For those with a history of missed appointments, 50% cited transportation problems PubMed CentralChronic illness worsensMedication Access65% of patients felt transportation assistance would improve medication use after dischargeNon-adherencePreventable hospitalizationsDialysis TransportLife-threateningSome patients are ferrying to kidney dialysis, cancer care, physical therapyMust attend 3x weeklyLong-Distance CareRural patients hardest hit21% of trips were between 100 and 200 milesRural hospitals closing Transportation barriers have been associated with poorer health care access, differential treatment, missed or delayed medical appointments, and lower health status. PubMed Central 💬 Comment 1: “I don’t have Medicaid or Medicare Advantage. What are my options?” Short Answer: ✅ You still have multiple free and low-cost options available. OptionEligibilityCostHow to AccessADA ParatransitDisability prevents bus use$2-$4/rideApply through local transitSenior Center ShuttlesUsually 60+FREECall your senior centerVolunteer DriversVariesFREEChurches, nonprofits211 ReferralsAnyoneFREEDial 211GoGoGrandparentAnyoneService fee + ride cost1-855-464-6872 Call 211 for assistance. Call the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the US Administration on Aging, at 1-800-677-1116. 💬 Comment 2: “I use a wheelchair. Can I still get rides?” Short Answer: ✅ Yes—but you need to request wheelchair-accessible vehicles specifically. Service TypeWheelchair Accessible?How to Request💡 NotesADA Paratransit✅ REQUIRED by lawSpecify when bookingMust accommodateMedicaid NEMT✅ Yes—many providersRequest wheelchair vanCall state MedicaidDAV Vans❌ Ambulatory onlyDAV vans can only provide rides to ambulatory passengers VA.govUse VTS insteadVA VTS✅ YesContact VTS coordinatorWheelchair-accessible transportUber WAV✅ In select marketsRequest through appLimited availabilityLyft WAV✅ In select marketsRequest through appCheck your area 💬 Comment 3: “How far in advance do I need to book rides?” Short Answer: ⏰ It depends on the service—but plan for 24-72 hours. ServiceAdvance Notice RequiredSame-Day Available?💡 Pro TipADA ParatransitThe ADA further requires that paratransit rides be provided to all eligible riders if requested any time the previous day NADTCSometimes, if availableBook early morningMedicaid NEMT48-72 hours typicalRarelySchedule with appointmentDAV Vans1-2 daysNoMatch to VA appointmentUber/LyftOn-demand✅ YesBest for flexibilityVolunteer Drivers3-7 daysNoPlan ahead 💬 Comment 4: “My parent has dementia. Can a caregiver ride along?” Short Answer: ✅ Yes—most services allow a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) to ride FREE. Personal Care Attendants should not be charged a fare. Additionally, one individual, such as a family member or friend, not acting as a personal care attendant can be accommodated at the same fare as the eligible paratransit rider if space is available. ServiceCompanion Allowed?Companion CostHow to RequestADA Paratransit✅ YesFREE for PCAMention when bookingDAV Vans✅ With VA approvalIf a Veteran needs another individual (for example, a caregiver) to ride in the van with them, they need to get authorization from their VA attending physician VA.govGet doctor’s authorizationMedicaid NEMT✅ UsuallyCheck with stateRequest when schedulingLyft Assisted✅ YesStandard fareBook second seat 💬 Comment 5: “I live in a rural area with no public transit. What now?” Short Answer: 🏡 Rural seniors have fewer options—but they DO exist. Patients who lived in rural areas used ride-hailing and nonemergency transportation services at the highest rates. Rural Transportation OptionCoverageContact💡 Best ForFTA Section 5311Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program provides funding for public transportation to rural areasContact state DOTGeneral rural transitTribal Transit ProgramApproximately $36 million in formula funding and $9 million in competitive grants to federally recognized tribesTribal services officeNative American communitiesVolunteer NetworksChurch, nonprofit driversDial 211Most reliable rural optionHighly Rural VA GrantsProvides grants to Veteran Service Organizations in counties that have fewer than seven people per square mileContact VSOVery rural veterans 💬 Comment 6: “What if I need to travel 50+ miles for specialized care?” Short Answer: 🚗 Long-distance medical travel is increasingly common—and covered by some programs. While 75% of those trips were under 100 miles, 21% of them were between 100 and 200 miles and 4% were over 200, showing that even Georgians who live hours away from metro Atlanta rely on the ride-hail platform to reach medical care there. Long-Distance OptionDistance CoveredCostWho QualifiesMedicaid NEMTVaries by stateFREEMedicaid recipientsMedicare AdvantagePlan-dependentPlan coversCheck your benefitsAmerican Cancer SocietyUnlimitedFREECancer patientsCorporate Angel NetworkNationwideFREECancer patients (flights)Mercy Medical AirliftNationwideFREEFinancial need + medical need 📊 Quick Recap: Senior Transportation Action Plan 📝 Call 211 First 📞: The quickest way to find ALL local options in your area Check Medicare Advantage 🏥: 36% of plans cover transportation—ASK yours Medicaid = Free NEMT 🩺: Every state MUST provide non-emergency medical transport Apply for Paratransit ♿: ADA requires service within ¾ mile of bus routes Veterans: Use DAV 🎖️: Free rides to 247+ VA locations nationwide Eldercare Locator 👴: 1-800-677-1116 connects you to local Area Agency on Aging Book in Advance ⏰: Most services need 24-72 hours notice Ask About Companions 👥: PCAs often ride FREE on paratransit 71% of seniors would use transportation benefits and 67% would use benefits supporting aging in place if offered by their health plan in the next 12 months. The rides exist. The programs are funded. You just need to know where to look. 💚 📞 Start Here: Dial 211 (from any phone) or visit 211.org Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 Rides in Sight: 1-855-607-4337 GoGoGrandparent: 1-855-464-6872 (for seniors without smartphones) Recommended Reads Free Services for Senior Citizens Near Me VA Aid & Attendance Eligibility Estimator How the New 2026 DMV Rules Changed My License Renewal Process 20 Essential Resources for Chronic Condition Management Blog