Delaware Medicaid Transportation: How NEMT Works for Seniors

Your parent has a specialist appointment in Wilmington, lives in Sussex County, does not drive, and cannot afford a $150 round-trip ride service. If they are enrolled in Delaware Medicaid, non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is a covered benefit — but you need to know how to schedule it and what qualifies.

What NEMT Covers

Delaware Medicaid covers transportation to and from medically necessary appointments. This includes:

• Doctor visits and specialist consultations
• Dialysis and chemotherapy sessions
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation appointments
• Pharmacy visits when the member must be present
• Mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Dental appointments covered under Medicaid

Transportation is provided through Modivcare (formerly LogistiCare), Delaware's contracted NEMT broker. Modivcare coordinates the actual rides through a network of transportation providers — sedans, wheelchair-accessible vans, and stretcher vehicles depending on the member's mobility needs.

NEMT does not cover trips to the grocery store, social visits, or non-medical errands. It is strictly tied to Medicaid-covered medical services.

How to Schedule a Ride

NEMT rides must be scheduled in advance through Modivcare. For routine appointments, schedule at least 3 to 5 business days ahead. Urgent medical visits can be arranged with shorter notice, but same-day requests are not guaranteed.

When scheduling, have ready:

• The member's Medicaid ID number
• Date, time, and address of the medical appointment
• The member's home address for pickup
• Any special transportation needs (wheelchair, stretcher, oxygen)
• Contact phone number for the day of the appointment

For recurring appointments (dialysis, weekly therapy), Modivcare can set up a standing order so you do not need to call each time.

Who Qualifies

NEMT is available to all Delaware Medicaid members who have no other means of transportation to a covered medical service. This includes members enrolled in:

• Standard Delaware Medicaid
• Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP-Plus) managed care
• The PACE program (Saint Francis LIFE provides its own integrated transportation)

If your parent is enrolled in DSHP-Plus, their Managed Care Organization (MCO) — AmeriHealth Caritas, Delaware First Health, or Highmark Health Options — coordinates NEMT as part of their overall care management. The MCO may have specific scheduling procedures, so check with your parent's care coordinator.

Common Problems and How to Handle Them

Rides arriving late or not showing up. This is the most frequent complaint with NEMT services. If a ride does not arrive within the expected window, call Modivcare immediately to check status. Document the incident — repeated no-shows can be reported to the MCO or filed as a formal grievance.

Denied trip requests. If Modivcare denies a ride, ask for the specific reason. Common causes include the appointment not being with a Medicaid-enrolled provider or the service not being classified as medically necessary. Your parent's physician can provide documentation supporting medical necessity if needed.

Long ride times. NEMT vehicles often pick up multiple passengers on the same route. For members in Kent or Sussex County traveling to New Castle County specialists, rides can take significantly longer than a direct drive. Schedule appointments with buffer time and communicate any time constraints when booking.

Beyond Medical Transportation

For non-medical transportation needs — groceries, social activities, community events — the Delaware ADRC (1-800-223-9074) maintains a directory of senior transit services and community transportation programs. Some DSHP-Plus care plans also include non-medical transit benefits under the 1915(i) Lifespan waiver for qualifying members.

The Delaware Home Care Guide covers NEMT alongside the full spectrum of DSHP-Plus services, including how to coordinate transportation with care plan hours, adult day programs, and medical appointments.

See more Delaware guides →