In most cases, yes. Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is a covered benefit under Maryland Medicaid, also called Medical Assistance, for eligible recipients who have no other way to get to covered medical care. For many families, this is welcome news: a ride to dialysis, a specialist, or a regular checkup can be arranged at no cost to the rider. Still, the details matter, and coverage depends on your situation, so it is worth understanding how the program actually works in Maryland.
Who generally qualifies
Maryland's local health department guidance describes three basic conditions that usually must all be true:
- You are an active Maryland Medical Assistance (Medicaid) recipient
- The appointment is for a Medicaid-covered medical service
- You have no other means of transportation to get there
That last point is important. The NEMT benefit is meant to fill a genuine gap, not to replace a ride you already have available. Beyond these basics, exact rules can vary, so if you are unsure whether you qualify, contact your local health department or your managed care plan.
How the benefit is organized in Maryland
Maryland's Medicaid system can feel layered, because there are two main paths a ride may be arranged through.
First, the local county health department administers an NEMT program for eligible Medical Assistance residents. In Prince George's County, the Health Department's Non-Emergency Medical Assistance Transportation Program arranges these trips, and the county lists 301-856-9555 as the contact number for that program. There is no fee for the service for eligible riders.
Second, most Maryland Medicaid recipients are enrolled in a HealthChoice managed care organization (MCO). Maryland has multiple HealthChoice MCOs, and some plans offer their own transportation help, which may include rides arranged through a transportation broker, or extras like bus tokens or taxi service to appointments. Because the specifics differ from plan to plan, the most reliable step is to call the member services number on your insurance card and ask exactly how your plan handles transportation.
How to schedule a Medicaid ride
For the county health department program, you typically contact the NEMT line ahead of your appointment. Maryland's guidance commonly asks riders to schedule non-emergency trips a minimum of 24 hours in advance, while hospital discharge trips may be arranged same-day. If your ride is arranged through your MCO's transportation broker instead, the advance-notice window can be longer, sometimes around 48 hours, with a cap on how far ahead you can book.
When you call to book, be ready to share:
- The rider's Medicaid information
- The date, time, and address of the appointment
- The rider's mobility needs (for example, whether a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is required)
- Pickup address and any return-trip details
Some programs also ask for a copy of the Medicaid card and a signed privacy form, and may obtain a certification from the rider's doctor as part of screening. If you are not sure what your program requires, ask when you call.
What the benefit does not cover
NEMT is for non-emergencies only. If there is a medical emergency, call 911. The benefit is also tied to covered medical services, so a ride to a non-medical errand would not fall under it. And because eligibility and trip rules can change, you should not assume a specific trip is covered until you have confirmed it.
When you are not sure
Maryland's transportation rules genuinely vary by county, by plan, and by individual eligibility. If this article leaves you uncertain about your own coverage, the honest answer is to verify directly: contact your managed care organization, your local health department, or the Maryland Medicaid program. Those are the offices that can confirm what your plan covers.
How Trusted Transit can help
Trusted Transit provides non-emergency medical transportation in Prince George's County and the greater DMV. If you are working through Medicaid coverage questions and want to talk it through, or you need a ride that falls outside what a plan covers, you can call 240-908-4233.