The Lifeline of Our Communities: Why Medicaid and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Matter

By: Paul A. Miller, Legislative Counsel, The Transportation Alliance  

Medicaid is a critical safety net for millions of Americans, ensuring access to essential healthcare services for low-income individuals, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. But one often-overlooked aspect of Medicaid is Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)—a service that saves lives, improves health outcomes, and significantly reduces healthcare costs. Without NEMT, millions of Americans would be left without a reliable way to get to their medical appointments, resulting in costly consequences for both patients and taxpayers. 

NEMT Saves Medicaid Billions Each Year 

Every year, Medicaid provides more than 100 million NEMT trips, helping patients get to doctor visits, dialysis treatments, mental health services, and other necessary care. Studies show that for every $1 spent on NEMT, Medicaid saves $11 in avoided emergency room visits and hospital admissions. That’s because patients who miss critical appointments often end up in crisis, leading to costly ambulance rides and emergency room visits—expenses that ultimately fall on taxpayers. 

According to a study by the Medical Transportation Access Coalition, NEMT saves

Medicaid an estimated $40 billion annually by preventing expensive hospitalizations and emergency interventions. Without this service, millions of people would have no choice but to call 911 or visit the ER for non-life-threatening conditions, driving up costs for everyone. 

The Cost to Taxpayers if NEMT Disappears 

If Medicaid were to reduce or eliminate NEMT services, taxpayers would bear the financial burden. Consider this: 

An average NEMT ride costs Medicaid about $36 per trip. 

An ambulance ride can cost $1,200–$2,500 per trip. 

An emergency room visit costs an average of $2,000–$3,000 per visit. 

Without NEMT, patients will be forced into the most expensive and inefficient parts of our healthcare system, straining hospitals, increasing wait times, and driving up insurance premiums for everyone. 

The Ripple Effect on Healthcare Costs 

Eliminating NEMT doesn’t just hurt patients—it threatens the financial stability of our entire healthcare system. Overburdened emergency rooms and hospitals lead to longer wait times, overworked healthcare providers, and skyrocketing medical costs for insured and uninsured patients alike. When patients can’t access preventive care, chronic conditions worsen, leading to higher Medicaid costs in the long run.

Protecting Medicaid and NEMT is Common Sense 

Medicaid and NEMT programs are not just a service for those in need—they are a smart investment in our communities. By ensuring that patients can access regular, preventive care, we save taxpayer money, reduce hospital strain, and improve health outcomes for millions of Americans. 

The choice is clear: investing in Medicaid and NEMT today prevents billions in avoidable healthcare costs tomorrow. Let’s protect our healthcare system, support our communities, and ensure that everyone—regardless of income or disability—can get the care they need when they need it. 

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