The federal Medicaid program has long recognized the critical role of transportation to improving access to healthcare through the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) benefit. The NEMT benefit today, which is administered in Texas by state-contracted Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) that contract with transportation brokers to deliver the service, is a medical assistance service in its own right, offering Medicaid beneficiaries significantly enhanced access to transportation to non-emergency doctor’s appointments, pharmacies, and other medical services through various transportation methods. Modes of transportation offered by NEMT include vans and wheelchair vans, mass transit, individual mileage reimbursement, and commercial airlines.
To understand Medicaid members’ experience in using the NEMT benefit, interviews and focus groups were held with different stakeholders, including staff leaders of MCO NEMT programs, Medicaid beneficiaries, community health workers (CHWs) who work with Medicaid beneficiaries, transportation
providers, and healthcare providers including staff in hospitals, community health centers, and representatives of private physician organizations in Texas.
Findings from the interviews and focus groups found that some beneficiaries were aware of the NEMT benefit, had used it, and expressed appreciation for the service. For these beneficiaries, securing a ride to their medical appointments when they had no other option often made them feel relieved and assured, reduced their stress and blood pressure levels, and helped them adhere to their prescriptions and treatment plans.
However, among the others interviewed, a number of barriers or challenges related to the NEMT benefit were noted. Access the full report to learn more.
