IMPORTANT: For emergency transportation services, call 911
L.A. Care members are eligible for both emergency and non-emergency transportation benefits. Depending on your plan and the service needed, prior authorization may be required. Always consult your plan handbook or call Member Services for your plan for complete details.
In the News: L.A. Care Free Transportation Helps Thousands
The California Health Report talks about L.A. Care's free transportation services that make a difference for members.
Free Rides to Doctor's Offices Help Low-Income Californians Get to Medical Care.
Medi-Cal
As a L.A. Care Medi-Cal member, you are able to utilize transportation services to see your Provider and to obtain medically necessary covered services at no cost. L.A. Care will work with you and your Provider to find the transportation service that best fits your needs and to schedule a ride.
Call L.A. Care Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 to learn more about your transportation options and how to schedule a ride.
Transportation services that are available to L.A. Care Medi-Cal members include:
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) requires that a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) form be completed and signed by your Provider.
This transportation type can include transport by ambulance, litter van, wheelchair van medical transportation services, and/or coordinating with para transit.
The forms of transportation are authorized when:
- Your medical and/or physical condition does not allow you to travel by bus, passenger car, taxicab, or another form of public or private transportation, and
- Transportation is required for the purpose of obtaining needed medical care.
Non-medical transportation (NMT) does not require a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) form to be completed.
This benefit allows for transportation to approved medical services by passenger car, taxi, or other forms of public/private transportation.
- You will have access to an unlimited number of round-trips per year.
- This benefit does not limit your non-emergency medical transportation benefit.
The forms of transportation are authorized when:
- Medically necessary covered services.
- Members picking up drug prescriptions that cannot be mailed directly to the member.
- Members picking up medical supplies, prosthetics, orthotics and other equipment.
To schedule NEMT or NMT services, please call L.A. Care Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY 711) and select the 'transportation' prompt.
L.A. Care Covered™ and L.A. Care Covered Direct
The following transportation services are covered:
- Emergency transportation by ambulance or psychiatric transport van, including emergency transportation provided by non-participating providers. If the emergency occurs outside of the service area emergency transportation would also be covered.
- Non-emergency medical transportation is only covered in specific circumstances in the service area (all of Los Angeles County excluding Catalina Island)
Review your Evidence of Coverage (Member Handbook) for important information about transportation services offered by your plan with L.A. Care Covered™ or L.A. Care Covered Direct™ or you may also call L.A. Care Covered Member Services at 1-855-270-2327 (TTY/TDD 711) for more details.
PASC-SEIU Plan
Emergency transportation benefits are covered to the first hospital which accepts the member for emergency care is covered. This includes ambulance and ambulance transportation services provided through the 911 emergency response system.
Non-Emergency benefits are covered when:
- Medically necessary
- Requested by an L.A. Care provider
- Authorized in advance by L.A. Care.
L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)
As a L.A. Care Medicare Plus member, you are able to utilize transportation services to see your Provider and to obtain medically necessary covered services at no cost. L.A. Care will work with you and your Provider to find the transportation service that best fits your needs and to schedule a ride.
Call L.A. Care Member Services at 1-833-522-3767 (TTY: 711) to learn more about your transportation options and how to schedule a ride.
Transportation services that are available to L.A. Care Medicare Plus members include:
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) requires that a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) form be completed and signed by your Provider.
This transportation type can include transport by ambulance, litter van, wheelchair van medical transportation services, and/or coordinating with para transit.
The forms of transportation are authorized when:
- Your medical and/or physical condition does not allow you to travel by bus, passenger car, taxicab, or another form of public or private transportation, and
- Transportation is required for the purpose of obtaining needed medical care.
This benefit allows for transportation to approved medical services by passenger car, taxi, Lyft or other forms of public/private transportation.
You will have access to an unlimited number of round-trips per year.
This benefit does not limit your non-emergency medical transportation benefit.