What It Is
Nonemergency transportation of a patient to and from home
What's Covered
Neither Medicare Part A nor Medicare Part B covers routine transportation for a patient to or from home in nonemergency situations. However, Medicare Part B sometimes covers nonemergency ambulance transportation between home and a hospital or other place of treatment or diagnosis if the patient's doctor certifies in writing that transportation in something other than an ambulance would endanger the patient's health (see Ambulance Services).
A written statement by a doctor is necessary for Medicare Part B coverage of nonemergency ambulance coverage, but it doesn't guarantee Medicare coverage. To be certain of coverage for nonemergency ambulance transportation, ask the treating physician's office to get prior approval from Medicare Part B. If a patient hires ambulance transportation but it isn't approved by Medicare Part B, the patient could be personally responsible for the full cost.
If you have a Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plan: Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plans, also called Medicare Advantage plans, must cover everything that's included in original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. But sometimes a Part C plan covers more, with extra services or an expanded amount of coverage. (Co-payments for Part C plans may also be different than those for Part A or Part B.) To find out whether your plan provides extra coverage or requires different co-payments, contact the plan directly.
What Medicare Pays
Medicare pays nothing for most nonemergency transportation. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for nonemergency ambulance services if it approves those services based on a written statement of medical necessity from the patient's doctor.
Important: Regardless of the rules regarding any particular type of care, in order for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or a Medicare Part C plan to provide coverage, the care must meet two basic requirements:
The care must be "medically necessary." This means that it must be ordered or prescribed by a licensed physician or other authorized medical provider, and that Medicare (or a Medicare Part C plan) agrees that the care is necessary and proper. For help getting your care covered, see FAQ: How Can I Increase the Odds That Medicare Will Cover My Medical Service?
The care must be performed or delivered by a healthcare provider who participates in Medicare.
It only mentions ambulance I need to know about a van that comes to your home and takes you to the hospital and back home
I just wanted to know if a medicare patient could get a medical van to take them back and forth from her home to the hospital for lung treatment,
An interesting info. I wonder where and how did you base all these? these are all catchy and I had a great time reading your entire post. Thanks!
This information is misleading. According to Medicare publication 11021 "Emergency and Non-Emergency Transportation", pg 5 states "In some cases Medicare may cover ambulance services from your home or a medical facility to get care for a health condition that requires you to be transported only by ambulance." It further states "Non-emergency ambulance transportation may be provided, in some cases, when you need ambulance transportation to diagnose or treat your health condition and use of any other method of transportation could endanger your health." "In some cases, Medicare covers limited non-emergency ambulance transportation if you’re confined to your bed, and you have a statement from your doctor or other health care provider saying that ambulance transportation is necessary because of your medical condition. Even if you aren’t confined to your bed, in some cases, Medicare may still cover your non-emergency ambulance trip if you have this statement." So check your information and quit misleading the elderly.