Medi-Cal transportation information

As a Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal member you may be able to get transportation to your healthcare appointments at no cost. Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan will work with you and your doctor to find the right transportation for you.

See your Member Handbook (Evidence of Coverage) for more information.
 

Non-emergency medical transportation

You are entitled to use non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) when you physically or medically are not able to get to your medical, dental, mental health and substance use disorder appointment by car, bus, train or taxi, and the plan pays for your medical or physical condition.

NEMT is an ambulance, litter van, wheelchair van or air transport. NEMT is not a car, bus or taxi.

Before getting NEMT, you need to request the service through your doctor. They will prescribe the correct type of transportation to meet your medical condition.
 

Limits of NEMT

There are no limits for receiving NEMT to or from medical, dental, mental health and substance use disorder appointments covered under Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan when a provider has prescribed it for you. If the appointment type is covered by Medi-Cal but not through the health plan, your health plan will provide for or help you schedule your transportation.
 

Non-medical transportation

You can use non-medical transportation (NMT) when you are:

  • Traveling to and from an appointment for a Medi-Cal service.
  • Picking up prescriptions and medical supplies.

Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal lets you use a lot of different ways of getting to your medical appointment for Medi-Cal covered services. You can use public transportation like a taxi or bus. You can also use a private type of transportation like a car. We will give you mileage reimbursement if you arrange your own private ride.

Before getting approval for mileage reimbursement, you have to tell Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal by phone, by email or in person. You have to explain that you tried to get all other reasonable transportation choices and you were not able to. Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal allows the lowest cost NMT type that meets your medical needs.
 

Limits of NMT

There are no limits for receiving NMT to or from medical appointments covered under Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal when a provider has authorized it for you. If the appointment type is covered by Medi-Cal but not through the health plan, your health plan will provide for or help you schedule your transportation.
 

Cost to member

If your transportation is authorized by Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal, then there is no cost.
 

Scheduling your ride

To learn more about asking for NEMT or NMT, or to learn how to schedule a ride, please call us:
 Phone: (877) 433-2178 (TTY: 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To schedule a ride, we recommend you ask at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. For urgent appointments, please call as soon as possible. Please have your Member ID card ready when you call.

Nurse Advice Line

Connect to a registered nurse who will listen to your health problem.

Teladoc

Talk to a board-certified doctor 24/7/365 over the phone or video chat.

Behavioral and mental health services

Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal provides mental health and substance use disorder services through primary care physicians (PCPs), licensed behavioral health providers, and county providers and agencies

Find a provider

Use our online tool to find a provider in your area or download a provider directory.

Health Care Options: (844) 580-7272  {TTY: {800) 430-7077}, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. — 6 p.m. 

For information on Blue Shield Promise Cal MediConnect Plan and other Cal MediConnect options for your health care, call the Department of Health Care Services at (800) 430-4263 {TTY: (800) 735-2922}, or visit https://www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov/.

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, offering Medi-Cal and Cal MediConnect Plans.

© 2002-2023. California Physicians’ Service DBA Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. All rights reserved.

California Physicians’ Service DBA Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is an independent licensee of the Blue Shield Association.

The provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan complies with applicable state laws and federal civil rights laws, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan cumple con las leyes estatales y las leyes federales de derechos civiles vigentes, y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, país de origen, ascedencial, religión, sexo, estado civil, genero, identidad de genero, orientación sexual, edad ni discapacidad.

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan 遵循適用的州法律和聯邦公民權利法律,並且不以種族、膚色、原國籍、血統、宗教、性別、婚姻 狀況、性別認同、性取向、年齡或殘障為由而進行歧視。

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Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, 601 Potrero Grande Drive, Monterey Park, CA 91755.

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