How to Pay for NEMT: Insurance, Medicaid, and Finance Options

One of the most common questions we hear from patients and families is: "How much does medical transport cost — and does insurance cover it?"

The good news is that non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) is a covered benefit under several programs, and many patients pay little or nothing out of pocket. Here is a complete breakdown of your options.

Health First Colorado — Colorado's Medicaid program — covers non-emergency medical transport as a mandatory benefit. This means if you are enrolled in Medicaid and need transportation to a covered medical appointment, the state is required to provide it.

Medicaid NEMT is available to Health First Colorado members who:

• Have a medical need that prevents them from using standard transportation
• Are traveling to a covered Medicaid service (doctor visits, dialysis, physical therapy, mental health appointments, etc.)
• Have no other transportation available

Colorado uses a broker model for Medicaid NEMT. The state contracts with regional brokers who coordinate transport on behalf of Medicaid members.

Steps to access Medicaid NEMT:

1. Confirm your Health First Colorado enrollment at healthfirstcolorado.com
2. Contact your regional broker — the broker assigned to your county coordinates your transport
3. Schedule at least 3 business days in advance for routine appointments
4. Provide your member ID, appointment details, and mobility needs

N.E.M.T. Medical Mobility works with Medicaid-eligible patients. Call us at 720-210-0058 to discuss your situation and we will help you navigate the process.

Wyoming Medicaid also covers non-emergency medical transport for eligible members. Contact Wyoming Medicaid at wyomingmedicaid.com or call 1-800-251-1269 to verify your eligibility and arrange transport.

Nebraska Medicaid (Heritage Health) covers NEMT for eligible members traveling to covered medical services. Contact Nebraska DHHS at dhhs.ne.gov for eligibility and scheduling information.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine non-emergency medical transport. However, there are important exceptions:

Many Medicare Advantage plans include NEMT as a supplemental benefit. Coverage varies by plan, but common benefits include:

• A set number of one-way or round trips per year
• Transport to and from covered medical appointments
• Wheelchair and ambulette transport

Check your Medicare Advantage plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC) document or call your plan's member services line to confirm your NEMT benefit.

Medicare Part B covers ambulance transport when it is medically necessary and the patient's condition requires it. This is separate from NEMT — ambulance transport is for emergencies or situations where the patient cannot be safely transported any other way.

Many private health insurance plans include some form of transportation benefit, particularly for:

• Dialysis patients (frequent transport needs)
• Cancer treatment patients
• Post-surgical transport
• Patients with documented mobility limitations

How to check your private insurance coverage:

1. Call the member services number on your insurance card
2. Ask specifically about "non-emergency medical transportation" or "ambulette" benefits
3. Ask whether you need a referral or prior authorization
4. Confirm which providers are in-network

Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare may be eligible for transportation benefits through the Beneficiary Travel Program. This program covers travel to and from VA medical appointments for eligible veterans.

Contact your local VA medical center or visit va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay for details.

If your medical appointments are related to a workplace injury, your workers' compensation insurance may cover transportation costs. Contact your employer's workers' comp carrier for details.

For patients paying out of pocket, NEMT costs vary based on:

• Distance: Longer trips cost more
• Vehicle type: Wheelchair transport, stretcher transport, and bariatric transport have different rates
• Time of day: After-hours and weekend transport may carry a premium
• Wait time: If the driver needs to wait during a long appointment

At N.E.M.T. Medical Mobility, we provide transparent pricing and will give you a clear quote before your trip. Call 720-210-0058 for a rate quote.

Last-minute bookings can cost more. Scheduling 24–48 hours ahead gives you access to standard rates.

Do not assume your insurance covers NEMT — confirm it before you book. A quick call to your insurer can save you from an unexpected bill.

Save receipts and trip documentation. If you are seeking reimbursement from insurance, Medicaid, or the VA, you will need records of your trips.

If you need regular transport — for dialysis, chemotherapy, or physical therapy — ask about recurring trip arrangements. Regular scheduling can sometimes reduce per-trip costs.

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) administers Health First Colorado and oversees the Medicaid NEMT benefit. If you have questions about your Medicaid NEMT coverage or need to resolve a billing dispute, contact HCPF:

• Website: hcpf.colorado.gov
• Phone: 1-800-221-3943

HCPF also publishes the Colorado Medicaid Transportation Manual, which outlines the rules and procedures for NEMT providers and patients.

Navigating insurance, Medicaid, and transport financing can be confusing. At N.E.M.T. Medical Mobility, we have been helping patients access the transport they need since 2000 — and we are happy to help you understand your options.

Call us at 720-210-0058. We serve Denver, Colorado Springs, the Front Range, Wyoming, and Nebraska — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Your well-being is our priority — from our door to yours.