What Medicare covers
Original Medicare covers ambulance transportation, not rides. Part B covers a ground ambulance to a hospital, critical access hospital, rural emergency hospital or skilled nursing facility when traveling any other way could endanger your health. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible. For a scheduled, non-emergency ambulance ride, Medicare may pay if your doctor orders it as medically necessary. See does Medicare pay for an air ambulance.
Ohio Medicaid rides through your county
Federal law requires Ohio Medicaid to make sure members can get to covered care. Under OAC 5160-15-10, Ohio does this largely through each county Department of Job and Family Services (JFS). Each county picks the type of help that is suitable and cost-effective for you: a ride, or in some counties, such as Morrow County, gas vouchers if you have a car.
- Call your county JFS. Ask for non-emergency transportation (NET). Find your office in the county directory on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website.
- Call early. Counties set their own notice rules, so ask how far ahead to book. Have the appointment date, address and provider name ready.
- If you're in a Medicaid plan, call it first. When a Medicaid managed care plan, including a MyCare Ohio plan, is required to provide your ride, the county can send you to the plan.
- Nursing home residents: the facility arranges transportation.
Rides are for Medicaid-covered care only, not emergencies. In an emergency, call 911. Questions about your Medicaid coverage: Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline, 1-800-324-8680.
Area agencies on aging
Ohio's 12 area agencies on aging arrange services for older adults, including transportation in many communities. Call 1-866-243-5678 to reach the agency serving your county. PASSPORT waiver members can also get non-medical transportation as a waiver service. See the PASSPORT waiver.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing or fitness. Extra benefits vary by plan and county, may have limits and costs, and not every plan offers them. Check a plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage. Some plans also offer transportation; if rides matter to you, ask how many trips are allowed and how far ahead you must book.
Get help
Telehealth can save some trips; see does Medicare cover telehealth in rural Ohio. A licensed insurance agent who works with Benefits Life can explain how transportation fits with your coverage, at no cost to you. You can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Does Medicare cover home health care?
Skilled care at home.
Can I keep my doctor with Medicare?
Networks and Ohio's billing law.
Does Medicare cover mental health care?
Counseling, telehealth and 988.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Ambulance services
- Ohio Administrative Code — Rule 5160-15-10, Non-emergency transportation through a county department of job and family services
- Ohio Department of Medicaid — Next Generation MyCare Member Frequently Asked Questions (April 2026)
- Morrow County Job and Family Services — Non-emergency transportation
- Ohio Department of Aging — Find services
- Ohio Department of Medicaid — PASSPORT 1915(c) waiver amendment (March 2026)
More questions in this guide
- Can I keep my doctor when I go on Medicare in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover assisted living in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover dental in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover diabetes supplies in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover eye exams and glasses in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover hearing aids in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover home health care in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover mental health care in Ohio?
- Does Medicare cover nursing home care in Ohio?
Part of the guide: Medicare basics for Ohioans · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare pay for a ride to my doctor's office?
Not with Original Medicare, unless you need an ambulance. Medicare may cover a non-emergency ambulance ride if your doctor writes an order saying it's medically necessary. If the ambulance company thinks Medicare may not pay, it must give you an Advance Beneficiary Notice first.
I'm in MyCare Ohio. Who do I call for a ride?
Ohio Medicaid's MyCare guide says to contact your MyCare plan or your county Department of Job and Family Services for help with transportation. Call your plan if you use a wheelchair that doesn't fold, need to ride in your wheelchair, or must travel 30 miles or more for care.
Can the county turn down a ride request?
Yes, in some cases, for example if your Medicaid plan is responsible for the ride, the service isn't covered by Medicaid, or there wasn't enough notice. If the county reduces or ends your transportation help, it must tell you about your right to a state hearing.
Medicare in your Ohio county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Franklin · Cuyahoga · Hamilton · Summit · Montgomery · Lucas · Butler · Stark · Lorain · Warren · Delaware · Lake · Mahoning · Clermont · Trumbull · Licking · Medina · Greene · Fairfield · Portage · All 88 counties →
