Do you struggle to get to your routine doctor appointments? Have you hesitated to start your job search because you don’t have reliable transportation? If so, you’re far from the only one. Consistent transportation can be difficult to come by, especially if you’re struggling financially or living with a disability. And this is a massive issue, considering that getting to the doctor, pharmacy, hospital, or job is essential to your health and independence.
Thankfully, there’s good news. Through the right waiver or program, you can get both medical and non-medical transportation. And we’ll tell you how to do so. Be sure to read until the very end, as we cover Medicaid transportation options specifically for waiver participants in Louisiana.
Certain Louisiana Medicaid Waivers Cover Transportation
When you are a beneficiary of a Louisiana Medicaid waiver program, you can get access to free rides. But not every waiver offers transportation as a benefit. You’ll need one of these:
- Residential Options Waiver – This waiver helps qualifying Louisianans transfer out of institutionalized living situations and into their own home in the community. Transportation-community access services are included.
- New Opportunities Waiver – This waiver is designed to assist people 3 years of age and older with services and supports to help them live more independently. Day habilitation and transportation are covered services.
- Family Opportunity Act – This is a plan for children with disabilities who fall outside of the financial qualification criteria for programs like LaCHIP and traditional Medicaid. Transportation is one of the services waiver beneficiaries receive.
Other waivers offer customizable benefits, which may include transportation assistance if needed.
How LA Medicaid Handles Medical Transportation
When you need emergency transportation, Medicaid requires you to call 911 for an ambulance to pick you up and get you to a hospital. There’s no alternative transportation option for these urgent situations.
For non-emergency situations, Medicaid helps through NEMT (non-emergency medical transportation). This is a service you can use when you need to go to a medical appointment or to receive waiver-related services in non-emergency situations. It’s for anyone who is on Medicaid and needs transportation assistance. Learn more about NEMT here.
Types of Transportation Medicaid Waivers Don’t Cover
Just because a waiver offers transportation benefits, it doesn’t mean that you’ll get free rides to wherever you need to go. It also doesn’t mean that all forms of transportation are automatically covered. Here are a few other types of transportation Medicaid would likely deny:
- Long-distance and out-of-state travel for personal reasons like vacations.
- Transportation unrelated to approved medical or waiver services.
- Errands or trips that aren’t essential to your well-being (shopping, theatres, etc.).
How to Schedule a Ride Through Your Louisiana Medicaid Waiver
When you need a ride, the first thing you’ll do is contact your support coordinator and request transportation. You’ll want to schedule your rides as far in advance as possible (at least 48 hours), as availability isn’t guaranteed, especially on short notice. To ensure a smooth experience, be sure to give the:
- Date and time you need to be picked up.
- Your pickup and drop-off locations.
- Why you need a ride.
So, there you have it – the basics of Medicaid transportation for Louisiana waiver participants. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best as you pursue the care and assistance you’re entitled to through the state.
