Medicaid Transportation
Title XIX of the Social Security Act does not specifically mandate provision of transportation as a Medicaid service. However, federal regulations and interpretations of the Act authorize states to cover transportation as either an optional service and/or as an administrative service. North Carolina has federal approval to claim transportation as an administrative service reimbursement for transportation arranged and paid by the county Department of Social Services (DSS) as an agent for the state.
Medicaid is required to assure transportation to medical appointments for all eligible individuals who need and request assistance with transportation. Transportation will be available if the recipient receives a Medicaid covered service provided by a qualified Medicaid provider (enrolled as a NC Medicaid provider). Medicaid only pays for the least expensive means suitable to the recipient’s needs.