Does Medicaid cover ambulance rides?
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Yes. Emergency ambulance transport is covered in every state as part of the mandatory transportation benefit and emergency care. Federal rule: mandatory.
What federal law says
Transportation to medical care is a mandatory Medicaid benefit under section 1902(a)(4), and 42 CFR 440.170 lists ambulance among the means a state may pay for. An emergency ambulance ride, ground or air, is covered when the condition required it; states apply a medical necessity test after the fact, and the ambulance company bills Medicaid, not you.
Non-emergency ambulance transport, for example a stretcher transfer between facilities or a ride home from the hospital for someone who cannot sit, is also covered when a physician certifies that no other means is safe, usually with prior authorization.
Balance billing is prohibited: a provider that accepts Medicaid may not bill you the difference between its charge and the Medicaid payment. If you receive a bill for a covered ambulance ride, send it to the plan rather than paying it.
Children under 21
Covered for children as for adults.
What to ask your state plan
- Keep the ambulance run sheet or hospital record; it is the medical-necessity evidence if the claim is questioned.
- Out-of-state emergencies are covered too; see the urgent care and ER page.
- Find your state's agency, program name and phone on Medicaid by state.
Related questions
- Does Medicaid cover transportation to appointments?
- Does Medicaid cover nursing home care?
- Does Medicaid cover assisted living?
Common questions
Does Medicaid cover ambulance rides?
Yes. Emergency ambulance transport is covered in every state as part of the mandatory transportation benefit and emergency care.
Does Medicaid cover ambulance rides for children?
Covered for children as for adults.
How do I find out whether my state's Medicaid covers ambulance rides?
Three places. Your plan's member handbook or benefit summary, which lists the covered services and limits; the state Medicaid agency's provider manual for the service, which is public and states the medical-necessity criteria; and the member services line on your card, which can run a coverage check for a specific procedure code. Our state pages list each agency's phone and portal.
Sources
- 42 CFR 440.170 (transportation)
- 42 CFR 431.53 (assurance of transportation)
- CMS: Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act
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