What Medicare covers
Part B covers ground ambulance transport when traveling any other way could endanger your health and you need care at a hospital, critical access hospital or skilled nursing facility, to the nearest facility that can treat you. Non-emergency ambulance rides are covered only in limited cases with a doctor's written order that says they're medically necessary. You usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible. If an ambulance company thinks Medicare won't pay for a non-emergency trip, it must give you an Advance Beneficiary Notice before the ride.
Florida Medicaid transportation
If you have full Florida Medicaid and no other way to get there, Florida Medicaid covers non-emergency transportation to Medicaid-covered services, plus an escort if you need one. It's a required service in every Managed Medical Assistance and Long-Term Care plan, so you book rides through your Medicaid plan, usually in advance. People in the Long-Term Care program also get transportation to their long-term care services. Florida's policy excludes people with only QMB, SLMB or QI-1. See Florida Medicaid and Medicare.
Your county's transportation disadvantaged program
The Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged names a Community Transportation Coordinator for each county or service area. It arranges shared rides, by bus or door-to-door paratransit depending on where you live, for people who can't drive and have no other way to travel because of age, income or a disability. Reservations are required in advance, and you may pay a small fare. Contact your county's coordinator to see if you qualify, or call the Commission at (800) 983-2435 (Florida Relay 711).
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing or fitness. Extra benefits vary by plan and county, may have limits and costs, and not every plan offers them. Check a plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage.
Get help
For questions about Medicare coverage, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048). To review your Medicare choices with a licensed insurance agent, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Does Medicare cover home health care in Florida?
Care at home when leaving is hard.
Does Medicare cover nursing home care in Florida?
Skilled nursing stays and Medicaid.
Does Medicare cover dental in Florida?
When Medicare pays and other options.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Ambulance services
- AHCA — Non-Emergency Transportation Services (Florida Medicaid)
- AHCA — Non-Emergency Transportation Services Coverage Policy, Rule 59G-4.330 (PDF)
- AHCA — Find Out About Long-Term Care Services
- Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged — Community Transportation System
- Florida Statutes — s. 427.011, Definitions (transportation disadvantaged)
More questions in this guide
- Does Medicare cover assisted living in Florida?
- Does Medicare cover me if I travel to Cuba, Latin America or the Caribbean?
- Does Medicare cover dental in Florida?
- Does Medicare cover home health care in Florida?
- Does Medicare cover nursing home care in Florida?
Part of the guide: Medicare basics for Floridians · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare pay for a ride to dialysis?
Medicare may pay for non-emergency ambulance transport, such as from home to a dialysis facility, when your doctor gives a written order saying it's medically necessary. A regular car, van or taxi ride to dialysis isn't a Medicare benefit.
Do Medicare Savings Programs include rides?
No. Florida Medicaid's transportation policy excludes people whose only Medicaid help is a Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB or QI-1). Rides through Medicaid are for people with full Medicaid coverage.
Who qualifies for Florida's transportation disadvantaged program?
Florida law describes the transportation disadvantaged as people who, because of a disability, income or age, can't transport themselves or buy transportation and depend on others to reach health care and other necessities. Your county's Community Transportation Coordinator decides eligibility.
Medicare in your Florida county
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