Get ready to call
California Department of Health Care Services
Medi-Cal Medical Transportation
What you get
Rides to covered healthcare, including a wheelchair van or other medical transport when needed. Ask whether requests are open.
- Who starts it
- You, by phone
- How it’s sent
- A phone call
- Your time
- A phone call
- Last checked
- Aug 27, 2026
Before you start, check you fit
- Each trip must be connected to a covered service and meet the applicable rules.
- A provider must verify the patient or diagnosis.
- A health care provider must prescribe NEMT.
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What to sayShort is fine. They will ask for what they need.
Hi, my name is [your name]. My child is being treated for cancer at [hospital]. I’m calling about Medi-Cal Medical Transportation from California Department of Health Care Services. We’re hoping for rides to covered healthcare, including a wheelchair van or other medical transport when needed. [child’s name] was diagnosed on [diagnosis date]. What do you need from me, and what happens next?
Copying is the only thing this page does with your text. Nothing is saved.Have by the phone
- Your child’s diagnosis and the date.
- The hospital’s name and your social worker’s name.
What they’ll send next
- Determine whether the child needs ordinary NMT or medically necessary NEMT because a car, bus, taxi, or other ordinary vehicle cannot be used.
- If NEMT is needed, ask a licensed provider for the required transportation prescription.
- Confirm authorization, pickup time, vehicle type, return-trip instructions, and the transportation vendor’s contact information.
After the call
Ask for multiple known appointments in the same call when appropriate, and confirm all ride details before travel. If you have not heard back in two weeks, write and ask whether it arrived.