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Will Medicare Provide Coverage for Medical Transportation?

Some Medicare beneficiaries may need emergency medical transportation during a life-threatening event or non-emergency transportation if they find it hard to get to their primary care physician. Here’s what you need to know about Medicare and medical transportation if you ever find yourself in these situations.

Will Medicare Cover Medical Transportation?

During an accident or sudden health issue, you may need emergency transportation to a medical facility if your life is in danger. For example, an unconscious individual or one in shock from an accident or health condition will need emergency medical transportation to a medical facility and medical care while on the way to the facility.

Keep in mind that medical transportation is not limited to ground transport. It also includes emergency airlifting if the beneficiary is in a place that cannot be accessed by a ground ambulance.

If you are enrolled in Original Medicare, you can get coverage for emergency medical transportation such as ambulance rides, but Medicare Part B provides coverage for medically necessary medical transportation if other means of transportation could jeopardize the enrollee’s health. 

Part B also only covers non-emergency transportation if a doctor recommends it and deems it medically necessary. However, many Medicare Advantage plans cover emergency and non-emergency transportation as part of their additional benefits.

Eligibility and Cost

Under Original Medicare, you can receive coverage for emergency medical transportation that is deemed medically necessary. To receive coverage, you must meet your deductible first, after which Medicare will cover 80% of your approved costs for approved services, including medical transportation.

Under Original Medicare, you will typically cover 20% of the costs after meeting your deductible. To receive help with your out-of-pocket costs, you can consider enrolling in Medigap.

Need Medicare Help? 

If you want to understand your Medicare coverage options even further, give us a call today. We are here to help you find the coverage you deserve so you can be properly covered.