Indiana Medicaid Transportation: How to Get NEMT and Senior Rides

Your parent has a doctor's appointment Tuesday. They can't drive. You can't take the day off work. And the clinic is 40 minutes away. This is the moment most families discover that Indiana Medicaid includes non-emergency medical transportation — but the booking process is anything but obvious.

How Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Works

Every Indiana Medicaid member has a right to free transportation to and from covered medical appointments. This includes doctor visits, pharmacy pickups, dialysis, physical therapy, mental health appointments, and dental care. The benefit covers rides by car, wheelchair-accessible van, or stretcher transport depending on medical need.

Indiana's NEMT is managed through the member's Managed Care Entity (MCE). Under the PathWays for Aging program, the three MCEs — Anthem, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare — each contract with transportation brokers to schedule rides. The member or their representative calls the MCE's transportation line (printed on the back of the Medicaid card) to schedule a ride at least 48 hours before the appointment.

Key details that trip families up:

• Rides must be to Medicaid-covered services only — grocery runs, social visits, and non-medical errands are not eligible
• The 48-hour advance booking window is enforced — same-day requests are only granted for urgent medical needs
• Return trips must be booked at the same time — if you forget to schedule the pickup after the appointment, your parent may be stranded
• Mileage reimbursement is available if a family member drives — submit the request through the MCE with proof of the medical appointment

Beyond NEMT: Other Senior Transportation Options

Medicaid NEMT only covers medical trips. For everything else — groceries, church, visiting friends — you need other options:

Area Agency on Aging transportation is available in most Indiana counties. AAAs coordinate volunteer driver programs and subsidized transit for seniors 60 and older. Contact your local AAA to check availability and scheduling. Coverage and hours vary significantly by county — rural areas often have the greatest need and the fewest options.

CHOICE program transportation covers non-medical rides for seniors enrolled in Indiana's state-funded CHOICE program. Because CHOICE is not Medicaid, it operates under different rules and can include trips to grocery stores, pharmacies, and community activities.

IndyGo Open Door serves Marion County with paratransit service for ADA-eligible riders. The application requires medical certification of a disability that prevents use of fixed-route transit. Fare is $3.50 per one-way trip.

Rural transit systems operate in many Indiana counties through the Federal Transit Administration's Section 5311 program. These demand-response services require advance scheduling and typically charge $2–$5 per ride.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Problem: The transportation broker sends the wrong vehicle type. If your parent uses a wheelchair, specify the exact mobility equipment when booking. Generic requests often result in a standard sedan.

Problem: The driver is late or doesn't show. Call the MCE's member services line immediately — not the transportation broker. Document the date, time, and missed appointment. Repeated no-shows are a valid reason to file a formal grievance with the MCE and can qualify as grounds for a mid-year plan switch.

Problem: Your parent needs rides to a provider outside their MCE's network. If the closest specialist is out of network, the MCE is still required to arrange transportation to the nearest appropriate provider. Request a prior authorization for the out-of-network visit and the NEMT should follow.

Setting Up Transportation as Part of a Broader Care Plan

Transportation gaps are often the first sign that a parent's independence is slipping. If your parent is also struggling with meal preparation, medication management, or daily activities, those needs can be addressed together through Indiana's home care programs.

The Indiana Home Care, Waivers & Support Guide covers how to coordinate NEMT with waiver services, CHOICE enrollment, and caregiver support — so transportation doesn't become the bottleneck that delays medical care or triggers a crisis.

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