What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are private health plans that contract with Medicare to cover enrollees. Original Medicare does not cover routine rides to appointments; Part B covers non-emergency ambulance only when it is medically necessary and a doctor orders it in writing (Medicare.gov). Medicare Advantage plans can add rides as a supplemental benefit, though fewer offer them than a year ago: KFF found 22% of individual-plan enrollees had a transportation benefit in 2026, down from 28% in 2025. Where it is offered, it is typically a fixed number of one-way rides per year to medical appointments, pharmacies or, in some plans, fitness centers and grocery stores.

Why Medicare Advantage matters for NEMT

These benefits are usually administered by the same national brokers that run Medicaid NEMT, or by ride-hailing partnerships, so credentialed providers can pick up Medicare Advantage trips through their existing broker relationships. The rides tend to be shorter, more ambulatory and less regulated than Medicaid trips, and the members skew older, which makes them a good fit for providers looking to fill mid-day capacity.

Related terms

• Managed Care Organization (MCO)
• Private Pay
• Medicaid
• Long-Distance Medical Transport
• Capitation