What Medicare covers
Original Medicare covers ambulance transportation, not rides. Part B covers a ground ambulance when traveling in any other vehicle could endanger your health and you need care at a hospital, critical access hospital, rural emergency hospital or skilled nursing facility. You pay $20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible. For a non-emergency ambulance ride, Medicare may pay if your doctor writes an order saying it's medically necessary. See does Medicare pay for an air ambulance.
SoonerRide for SoonerCare members
- Call ahead. Call SoonerRide at 877-404-4500 (TTY 800-722-0353) at least three business days before your appointment. The line is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
- Write down your confirmation number. You'll need it if your ride is late or you have questions.
- Ask about mileage. If a relative or friend drives you, ask the reservation line about getting a trip authorization number in advance for mileage reimbursement.
- Long trips. For specialty care at least 50 miles away that lasts 18 hours or more, call OHCA's Population Care Management at 877-252-6002 about meals and lodging.
SoonerRide is not for emergencies; call 911. See SoonerCare and Medicare.
Area Agencies on Aging
OKDHS says Older Americans Act services, including transportation, are provided through local Area Agencies on Aging for Oklahomans 60 and older. Call the Aging and Disability Info-line at 1-800-211-2116 to be connected to your local agency and ask what rides are available in your county.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover, such as dental, vision, hearing, fitness or transportation. Extra benefits vary by plan and county, may have limits and costs, and not every plan offers them. Check a plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage. If rides matter to you, ask how many trips are allowed and how far ahead you must book.
Other ways to save a trip
- Telehealth: some visits can be done by video or phone from home. See rural hospitals and telehealth in Oklahoma.
- Your clinic, hospital or tribal health system: ask whether it helps patients arrange rides. See tribal health and Medicare.
Get help
A licensed insurance agent who works with Benefits Life can explain how transportation fits with your coverage and compare plans from the companies they work with, at no cost to you. You can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or see plans for your ZIP code. See also Medicare basics.
Related questions
Does Medicare pay for an air ambulance?
Emergency flights in rural Oklahoma.
Does Medicare cover dental?
SoonerCare and other options.
Can I keep my doctor?
Networks and assignment.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Ambulance services
- Oklahoma Health Care Authority — SoonerRide
- Oklahoma Human Services — Older Americans Act programs
- Oklahoma Human Services — Community Living, Aging and Protective Services
More questions in this guide
- Can I keep my doctor when I go on Medicare in Oklahoma?
- Does Medicare cover dental in Oklahoma?
- Does Medicare cover hearing aids or glasses in Oklahoma?
- Does Medicare pay for an air ambulance in Oklahoma?
Part of the guide: Medicare basics for Oklahomans · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare pay for a ride to my doctor's office?
Not with Original Medicare, unless you need an ambulance. Medicare may cover a non-emergency ambulance ride if your doctor writes an order saying it's medically necessary. If the ambulance company thinks Medicare may not pay, it must give you an Advance Beneficiary Notice before the ride.
Who can use SoonerRide?
OHCA says SoonerRide serves SoonerCare Traditional and SoonerCare Choice members. If you have Medicare and SoonerCare, call the reservation line or OHCA to confirm that your coverage includes SoonerRide before you book.
What if my SoonerRide driver is late?
If your ride is 15 minutes late, call Where's My Ride at 800-435-1034, or 711 for TDD. Have your confirmation number ready.
Medicare in your Oklahoma county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Oklahoma · Tulsa · Cleveland · Canadian · Comanche · Rogers · Wagoner · Payne · Pottawatomie · Creek · Muskogee · Garfield · Grady · Washington · Logan · Bryan · Le Flore · Carter · Cherokee · McClain · All 77 counties →
