By MedTransport Finder||State Guides

How to Get Medicaid Transportation in Florida: Complete Guide

If you have Florida Medicaid, you're entitled to free transportation to medical appointments through Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) services. This benefit helps Floridians who have no other way to get to covered healthcare services—but many don't know it exists or how to use it.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Medicaid transportation in Florida: how to request rides, which phone numbers to call, what's covered, and how to handle problems.

What Is Florida Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation (NET)?

According to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), all Medicaid eligible recipients who have no other means of transportation may receive non-emergency transportation services.

NET is a mandatory covered benefit for all Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) and Long-Term Care (LTC) plans serving Florida Medicaid enrollees. This means every Florida Medicaid health plan must provide transportation to covered medical services.

Who Qualifies for Florida Medicaid Transportation?

To qualify for NET services, you must:

  1. Be enrolled in Florida Medicaid — This includes Managed Medical Assistance (MMA), Long-Term Care (LTC), and specialty plans
  2. Have no other means of transportation — You don't have access to a car, can't drive, and don't have someone who can take you to your appointment
  3. Be traveling to a Medicaid-covered service — The appointment must be with a Medicaid-enrolled provider

What Florida Medicaid Transportation Covers

NET services cover transportation to any Medicaid-covered medical service, including:

  • Doctor and specialist appointments
  • Dental appointments
  • Mental health and behavioral health services
  • Dialysis treatments
  • Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
  • Pharmacy visits (to pick up prescriptions)
  • Hospital visits
  • Lab work and diagnostic testing

Types of Transportation Available

Depending on your medical needs, Florida Medicaid may provide:

Transportation Type When It's Used
Sedan or car service Ambulatory patients who can walk and sit
Wheelchair van Patients who use wheelchairs
Stretcher van Patients who cannot sit upright
Public transit When public transportation is accessible
Taxi service When appropriate for your needs

Personal Care Attendants and Escorts

If you need someone to accompany you due to your medical condition, Florida Medicaid covers transportation for a personal care attendant or escort at no additional cost.

Mileage Reimbursement

In some cases, family members or friends can receive mileage reimbursement for driving you to medical appointments. Contact your health plan to ask about this option.

How to Request Florida Medicaid Transportation

In Florida, your Medicaid managed care health plan coordinates transportation services. Most plans contract with transportation brokers like ModivCare, MTM, or Alivi to manage rides.

Step 1: Find Your Health Plan's Transportation Number

Here are the transportation phone numbers for Florida Medicaid health plans:

Health Plan Transportation Provider Phone Number
Aetna Better Health of Florida Contact Member Services 1-800-441-5501
Children's Medical Services (CMS) Plan MTM 1-844-399-9469
Community Care Plan Contact Member Services 1-866-899-4828
Florida Community Care Contact Member Services 1-833-322-7526
Humana Healthy Horizons ModivCare 1-866-779-0565
Molina Healthcare of Florida Contact Member Services 1-866-472-4585
Simply Healthcare ModivCare 1-866-372-9794
Sunshine Health (Medicaid) ModivCare 1-877-659-8420
Sunshine Health (SMI) ModivCare 1-877-659-8412
Sunshine Health (LTC) Alivi 1-888-863-0248
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan MTM Health (as of 2026) 1-888-716-8787

Source: Florida Medicaid Managed Care Plan Phone Numbers

Don't see your plan? Call the Member Services number on the back of your Medicaid card and ask for transportation services.

Step 2: Know Your Booking Deadlines

Appointment Type When to Book
Routine appointments At least 3 business days before
Recurring treatments (dialysis, chemotherapy) Set up a standing order
Urgent appointments Same-day service may be available

For urgent medical needs: You can call for an urgent ride 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Urgent trips include doctor appointments deemed urgent by your physician, dialysis, wound care, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Step 3: Have This Information Ready

When you call to schedule:

  • Your Medicaid ID number
  • Pickup address and phone number
  • Appointment address and provider name
  • Appointment date and time
  • Type of transportation needed (wheelchair, stretcher, etc.)
  • Any special needs (oxygen, attendant, child safety seat)

Step 4: Confirm Before Your Appointment

The day before your appointment:

  1. Call your transportation provider to confirm pickup time
  2. Verify the pickup location
  3. Get a contact number in case of issues on the day of transport

Step 5: Be Ready for Pickup

On the day of your appointment:

  • Be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time
  • Wait in a visible, accessible location
  • Have your Medicaid card with you
  • Bring the transportation company's phone number

For Recurring Appointments (Dialysis, Chemotherapy, etc.)

If you have regular medical appointments like dialysis or chemotherapy, you can set up a standing order so you don't have to call before every appointment.

How to set up a standing order:

  1. Call your health plan's transportation line
  2. Explain that you have recurring appointments (include frequency and duration)
  3. Provide all appointment details
  4. Ask for a standing order confirmation

For recurring needs like dialysis, wound care, and mental health appointments, the transportation provider will create a standing order in their system, guaranteeing your rides for the duration of your treatment.

Florida Medicaid Regions and Transportation Brokers

Florida Medicaid operates in 11 regions. Different transportation brokers may serve different regions:

  • ModivCare — Serves multiple regions for various health plans
  • MTM Health — Arranges transportation in regions 3 through 8; also serves Children's Medical Services statewide
  • Alivi — Serves Long-Term Care and specialty plan members for some health plans

Your health plan will connect you with the appropriate transportation broker for your region.

What If You Have Problems with Transportation?

Step 1: Contact Your Health Plan First

If your ride doesn't show up or you have problems with your transportation service:

  1. Call your health plan's transportation line immediately
  2. Document the incident (date, time, confirmation number)
  3. Ask to reschedule or get alternative transportation

Step 2: File a Complaint or Grievance

According to AHCA, if you have concerns about transportation services:

  • Complaint: A concern that can usually be resolved by the end of the next business day
  • Grievance: For issues that take longer to resolve
  • Appeal: If your transportation request was denied

You must first use your health plan's internal grievance process before AHCA can take action on your behalf.

Step 3: Contact the Medicaid Helpline

If your health plan doesn't resolve the issue, contact the Florida Medicaid Helpline:

  • Phone: 1-877-254-1055
  • TDD: 1-866-467-4970
  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST

Medicaid Helpline staff can help you submit a complaint and check on its status.

Step 4: Request a Medicaid Fair Hearing

If you disagree with your health plan's appeal decision, you can request a Medicaid Fair Hearing within 120 calendar days from the date of the appeal resolution notice.

Contact the AHCA Fair Hearing Unit:

  • Phone: 1-877-254-1055 (toll-free)
  • Fax: 1-239-338-2642
  • Mail: Agency for Health Care Administration, Medicaid Fair Hearing Unit, P.O. Box 7237, Tallahassee, FL 32314-7237

Common Questions About Florida Medicaid Transportation

Is there a limit to how many rides I can get?

Generally, there is no limit to how many medical transport rides you can get per month, as long as transportation is for medically necessary appointments with Medicaid-enrolled providers.

Can a family member drive me and get reimbursed?

Yes, in some cases. Family and friends can receive mileage reimbursement for driving you to medical appointments. Contact your health plan to ask about this option and any required paperwork.

Does Florida Medicaid cover transportation to the pharmacy?

Yes. Rides to pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy are covered.

Can I get transportation to mental health appointments?

Yes. Transportation to mental health and behavioral health appointments is covered under NET services.

What if I need a wheelchair van?

If you need special assistance, wheelchair vans are available. When scheduling, tell the transportation provider you need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.

What about stretcher transportation?

Stretcher transportation is available for patients who cannot sit upright. Your doctor may need to verify your medical need for stretcher transport.

Can someone accompany me to my appointment?

Yes. If you need a personal care attendant or escort due to your medical condition, they can ride with you at no additional cost.

Tips for Getting the Best Service

  1. Book early — Call at least 3 business days ahead for routine appointments
  2. Keep records — Save confirmation numbers, driver information, and pickup times
  3. Be specific about your needs — Mention wheelchairs, stretchers, oxygen, or other requirements upfront
  4. Set up standing orders for recurring appointments — One call covers weeks or months of dialysis trips
  5. Know your deadlines — Urgent rides may be available 24/7, but routine trips need advance booking
  6. Report problems immediately — Document issues and contact your health plan or the Medicaid Helpline

Need Help Finding Transportation in Florida?

Whether you have Medicaid or need private medical transportation, MedTransport Finder can help you locate NEMT providers throughout Florida. Our directory includes providers in Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and communities across all 67 counties.

Search for Florida providers or contact us with questions.

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