Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

Driscoll Health Plan is now offering medical transportation through our new partnership with SafeRide Health, a leading medical transportation management company.

In order to better serve our members, Driscoll Health Plan has partnered with SafeRide Health to offer transportation benefits to and from your medical appointments. SafeRide Health, with its extensive network and quality assurance practices, is committed to providing the highest standard of care for our STAR and STAR Kids members’ transportation needs. Now, medically necessary, routine transportation is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For a quick reference on NEMT, click here.

Your transportation benefit will continue to be a covered service under your Medicaid benefit, and will not cost you anything. 

Driscoll Health Plan’s transportation benefit offers:

  • Curb-to-curb or door-to-door services, depending on member’s needs
  • Transportation to physician’s office, pharmacy, lab, and radiology appointments
  • The option to bring a family member, caretaker, or service animal
  • Long distance trips, out-of-area transport, and out-of-state/long-distance transport
  • Meals and lodging for long-distance trips, when needed
  • Public transit and mileage reimbursement if family or friends drive
  • Vans that accommodate wheelchairs are available based on members need

Please keep in mind that your transportation benefit also comes with a Family and Friends reimbursement option. This means that a friend or family member can drive you to your scheduled medical visit and they will get paid by the mile. 

**Please note that standard-distance medical transportation should be requested 48 hours in advance and long-distance trips should be requested 5 business days in advance.

SafeRide Health offices are open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. 

How do I schedule a ride?
To schedule a pick-up, call SafeRide Health at: 1-833-694-5881

 Please provide:

  • Member ID number
  • Pick-up Address
  • Drop-off Address
  • Appointment Time

Where’s my ride?
To check the status of your ride, call SafeRide Health at: 1-833-694-5881

SafeRide Health
 1-833-694-5881

Hearing-impaired:
(800) 735-2989 (TTY) toll-free

Q:  Who will provide transportation for Driscoll Health Plan (DHP)?

A: Driscoll Health Plan has partnered with SafeRide Health to provide transportation services to DHP members.

Q:  How do I schedule a ride?

A: The SafeRide Health transportation phone lines will open on March 1, 2022. You will need to call SafeRide Health at 1-833-694-5881 at least two business days before your appointment. Call five days before your appointment if it is outside your county.

Q:  How much will the rides cost?

A:  Rides will continue to be provided to members at no cost.

Q:  What information do I need to have when calling for transportation?

A:  You will need to provide:

  • Your full name
  • Member ID number
  • Date of birth
  • Home address
  • Doctor’s name and address
  • Date and time of your appointment

You should also let us know if you have any special needs, such as someone riding with you or if you have a wheelchair. You may be asked additional questions during the phone call so that we may determine best mode of transportation for you.

Q:  When may I call to schedule a trip?

A:  You may schedule a trip Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Q:  How timely are the drivers?

A:  Drivers should arrive 15 minutes before scheduled pickup times.

Q:  What happens if the driver is running late?

A:  If the driver is running late, SafeRide Health receives an alert and contacts the member via phone. If the member is late to their appointment because of SafeRide Health, SafeRide Health will ask the member if the arrival time is flexible.

If the appointment time is not flexible, SafeRide Health will contact the provider to let them know that the member is currently traveling to their facility. SafeRide Health will determine if the appointment time is flexible and if it can be changed to line up with the member’s new arrival time.

Q: What happens if the member is running late?

A:  Member, or Member’s representative, should contact SafeRide Health and they will adjust the ride time with the driver.

Q:  What happens if the member is not there when the driver arrives?

A:  The driver will contact SafeRide Health. SafeRide Health will attempt to reach the member via phone. For safety reasons, SafeRide Health drivers do not approach a member’s homes unless requested and necessary for the transport.

Q:  How are return trips scheduled?

A:  Return trips are made at the time of scheduling. SafeRide Health recommends that members schedule return trip times, even if tentative because last-minute requests can result in long wait times (up to three hours).

Q:  How many days in advance does a trip need to be scheduled?

A:  Two business days in advance is requested, up to 24 hours in advance may be accommodated. Call five days before your appointment if it is outside your county.

Q:  Can same day transportation needs be scheduled for urgent appointments? 

A:  SafeRide Health will make best efforts to accommodate all urgent requests. Urgent or last minute scheduling needs can result in long wait times (up to three hours).

Q:  How does the Family and Friends Reimbursement work?

A:  When a friend or family member drives you to your covered doctor’s visit, they can get paid for their mileage. Our hope is that this program will not only reduce the time that you spend waiting for rides, but also pays your friend or family member for their time, too. Your provider will just need to sign a form to confirm that you made it to your appointment. Call SafeRide Health to get this form for your doctor.

Q:  How much is the Family and Friends Reimbursement?

A:  Your driver will be paid the current federal mileage reimbursement rate.