Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation in Florida

Most Florida Medicaid members are enrolled in a managed care plan, and each plan contracts with a transportation broker that arranges rides. To use the benefit, members call the transportation number on the back of their plan ID card, usually several business days before the appointment, and provide the appointment date, time, address and the provider's name. The broker then assigns whichever transportation company is available in that area.

The benefit generally covers trips to Medicaid-covered services: doctor visits, dialysis, therapy, behavioral health, dental and vision care and pharmacy trips tied to a covered visit. It generally does not cover personal errands, social outings, non-covered services, or trips arranged too late for the broker's notice requirements.

The gaps are where people get stuck. Brokered rides can require booking several days ahead, pickups can run late, return trips can be delayed for hours after treatment, and same-day appointments often are not covered at all. Riders travelling for something Medicaid does not cover — a grocery run, a family event, an airport trip — are on their own entirely.

JAX NEMT is a private-pay transportation company. We are not a Medicaid broker and we do not bill Medicaid. Riders use us when they want a guaranteed pickup window, when a brokered ride falls through, when they need same-day or short-notice transport, or when the trip is not a covered service. Pricing is a simple base fare plus mileage, quoted in advance, with discounts for standing weekly schedules such as dialysis.

If you are unsure whether your trip is covered, call your plan first — and call us if you need a ride that shows up regardless.