Calling all Medicaid users
If you have Medicaid and have no way of getting to your appointments… YES YOU DO!!
Most (if not all) Medicaid plans offer free medical transportation services! Yes, FREE. They’re likely called either MTM or Modivcare, the back of your insurance card has a number to call for transportation. You call the number, ask for “something else” to talk to a human instead of the automated phone system, and schedule the ride to your appointment. There is never any fee or co-pay. If the company your Medicaid provider uses has an app you can get the app to schedule your rides there too (I usually use the app because it’s faster). If your Medicaid plan doesn’t cover transportation for a specific doctor (as they sometimes do) just say “specialist” and they will not question it.
ALSO if you have Medicaid and DO have a way to get to your appointments you can be reimbursed for your gas money!
Some services like MTM and Modivcare have a program that offers reimbursement for your gas! You call that same number, ask for “something else” to talk to a human, ask to set up gas mileage reimbursement, follow the agent’s instructions. You will receive a rechargeable visa card in the mail, the company will send you money through that card to fill up your car for trips after you schedule - the amount of money you get is dependent on how many miles you’re traveling for your appointment. You can call the transportation number on the back of your insurance card (or use the app) to set up a trip. You’ll receive the money usually within a few hours. You don’t have to use this money for gas!! You can use it to buy groceries, toiletries, clothes, and pretty much anything! Try to refrain from using it to buy alcohol or nicotine products, I’m not sure if that’s against the rules or not but better safe than sorry! Use the app to click the “I’m leaving” button when you leave and “I’m here” button when you arrive, make sure you’re close enough to the building when you click the button. If you don’t use the app you can instead use a Trip Log that you fill out and send to your company in the mail, it has to be signed by your doctor to receive the money.
