FAQ
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation FAQ
Straight answers about NEMT cost, coverage, booking notice, and what to expect on the day of your ride in the Temecula Valley.
Common questions
- What is non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT)?
- NEMT is scheduled, non-ambulance transportation to and from medical care for people who need more help than a taxi or rideshare provides. It covers ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher-level rides to dialysis, chemotherapy, therapy, doctor visits, and hospital discharges.
- How is NEMT different from an ambulance?
- An ambulance responds to emergencies with paramedics and medical equipment on board. NEMT is planned transport for medically stable passengers, which costs significantly less and is scheduled in advance around an appointment.
- How much does medical transportation cost?
- Price depends on mobility level (ambulatory, wheelchair, or stretcher), distance, time of day, and whether the trip is one-way or round-trip. Use our 2-minute ride estimator for a range, or call (951) 428-9614 for an exact quote.
- Does insurance or Medi-Cal cover the ride?
- Some health plans and Medi-Cal managed care plans cover medically necessary transportation, and coverage rules vary by plan. Check your benefits with your plan or case manager; we are happy to provide trip documentation for reimbursement requests.
- How far in advance should I book?
- 24 to 48 hours notice is ideal, especially for stretcher trips. Same-day rides are often possible when a vehicle is available — call as soon as you know the appointment or discharge time.
- Can a family member or caregiver ride along?
- Yes. A caregiver or family member rides free on standard trips. Let us know when booking so we reserve the seat.
- Do you provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles?
- Yes. Our ADA wheelchair vans use hydraulic lifts and four-point tie-downs, so the passenger stays in their own wheelchair for the entire trip. We can also provide a wheelchair if you don't have one.
- Do you transport patients on a stretcher?
- Yes. Gurney and stretcher trips are staffed with a trained two-person crew for bed-to-bed transfers between hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and home.
- Do drivers help the passenger inside?
- Yes. Every trip is door-through-door: the driver escorts the passenger from their door to the vehicle and into the check-in area, and back again on the return trip.
- Are drivers screened?
- All drivers are background-checked, drug-tested, and trained in safe transfers and passenger assistance.
- Can I track my ride?
- Yes. Live driver tracking is available so families and facility staff know exactly when the vehicle will arrive.
- Do you offer recurring or standing trips?
- Yes. Standing weekly schedules for dialysis, infusion, and therapy are welcome and qualify for recurring trip discounts. Facilities can also open an account with consolidated invoicing.
- What areas do you serve?
- Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Hemet, Perris, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Fallbrook, and surrounding southwest Riverside and north San Diego County communities.
- What are your hours?
- Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday 7:00 am to 12:00 pm, and Sunday by appointment.