MedicaidCoverageMedium impact
Preventive Care Connections - Transportation
L.A. Care Health Plan·CA·Provider Communication
We identified it
Sep 10, 2026
Summary
L.A. Care Health Plan has launched a new transportation benefits program for Medi-Cal members, offering Non-Medical Transportation (NMT) for ambulatory patients and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) for patients with medical/physical conditions preventing safe use of standard transportation. NEMT requires a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) form submitted within 24 hours. This is an informational policy explaining existing benefits and provider/member resources; it does not establish new billing codes or change reimbursement.
Action Required
Immediately: Educate clinical and scheduling staff about transportation benefits availability. 1) Brief all team members on NMT vs. NEMT distinction and eligibility criteria (ambulatory vs. medical condition). 2) Add transportation barrier screening to patient intake/scheduling workflows—ask patients if they have reliable transportation to appointments. 3) For providers: When NEMT is clinically appropriate, complete the PCS form (https://www.lacare.org/sites/default/files/la6957_pcs_form_202508.pdf) and submit to L.A. Care's UM Department within 24 hours of the NEMT trip. 4) Create practice quick reference: Provider line (877) 431-2273 for scheduling NMT/NEMT; Member Services (888) 839-9909 for member inquiries. 5) Advise patients to request transportation at least 2 business days before appointments. Billing team: Monitor claims for any denial patterns related to transportation-dependent appointments and flag to care coordination. No billing workflow changes required at this time—transportation is a member benefit, not a billable service.