Follow
Share

With my mom‘s insurance plan it no longer covers medical transportation. I don’t know who in the area does or that could accommodate her. She is paralyzed waist down at the. Moment, the HOME HEALTHCARE agency that we are using basically said just lie and call 911 and they’ll have to pick her up and take her any advice. I’m willing to accept thank you very much.

Calling the 911 line for a non emergent pick up does have a Medicare copay involved with it, for most insurance plans. Mom's was $100 each way. You don't call pretending your mom has an emergency, you make it clear up front she does not. My mother was wheelchair bound and too much for me to handle, so there were many times I used 911 non emergent services. It's ridiculous that home health doesn't realize this and tells you to lie!

The other thing you can do is Google search medical transportation services in your area. It may be more expensive to use one of those services than 911 however. Call and find out, and then find out what her insurance copay is with Medicare.

Good luck to you.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

Calling 911 w/o an emergency to the ER would not be a plan IMHO. I have never tried, although I suppose you could look for your non emergent number for the police department or 911 and ask them who does provide these services.

If it is a medical emergency then I would call 911.

Ideas you could try.
Put your city, state, medical transport into your browser..you might even try non emergent transportation your city, state.

Put your City, State, area agency on aging and contact them for advice.

Here is information on what Medicare.gov covers.

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/ambulance-services

You might ask the doctor if a Telemed appointment is available and skip the ride altogether.

Oh, you could also see if AI has a suggestion.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to 97yroldmom
Report

No 911 does not and will not take her anywhere unless there is an emergency.
Whoever told you this is not only a little mistaken and misinformed, but very much so. They should be reported for this lack of knowledge about the great expense and the great need for 911 to be used for emergencies only.

You should speak to the doctor regarding getting this loved one to needed treatments/tests/medical appointments/etc. Let those scheduling her appts know that she doesn't have transportation in her condition and cannot keep said appointments without it.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report
lealonnie1 Oct 28, 2024
I've used 911 non emergent many times to take my folks to the ER without a problem, but there is a copay.
(0)
Report
If there is a medical necessity to transport her even if the insurance does not cover the transport it is a medical expense and can be deducted on taxes (depending on how much and what the regulations are for amounts that can be claimed)
there are some communities that have Volunteers that will transport BUT you would have to let them know in advance that the person is in a wheelchair. I would think that no volunteer would take the responsibility to transfer the person.
If it is not possible to get the person to medical appointments look for doctors that will make house calls. (make sure they accept the insurance that your mom has)

This is a very good time to talk to a SHIP counselor to see if there is an insurance plan that would be better suited for your mom.

You can call 911 for a Lift Assist but unless there is transport to the hospital they are not going to take her anywhere else. (there generally is no charge for a Lift Assist if there is no transport to the hospital)
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

Can she not just pay out of pocket for Trans-Aid to come pick her up and take her where she needs to go?
Or there may be some financial help available if money is an issue for your mom to help pay for their services.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report

Contact her county's social services and see if they have subsidized transportation that she will qualify for. If she needs anything more than wheelchair transport, then she'll need a medical transportation company and must pay out of pocket.

The only place 911 will take her is to the ER.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter