When driving is no longer safe, free senior transportation services keep older adults connected to care and community. Here is where to find them.
Where can I find free senior transportation services?
The main source of free or low-cost senior rides is your local Area Agency on Aging, which funds transportation under the Older Americans Act. To find programs near you, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov. Other sources include senior centers, faith-based and volunteer driver programs, public transit reduced-fare and paratransit services (required under the ADA), and Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation for those who qualify. Many communities also have ride networks coordinated through 211. A specialist at 1-800-MEDIGAP can help you sort through these and check your Medicare benefits.
Does Medicare cover senior transportation?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine, non-emergency rides to appointments — it only pays for ambulance transport when medically necessary. However, many Medicare Advantage plans now include a supplemental transportation benefit, offering a set number of one-way trips to medical visits or the pharmacy each year. Coverage varies widely by plan and region. If reliable rides matter to you, it is worth comparing Advantage plans that include this perk. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427) and a licensed specialist will check which plans in your area offer transportation, free of charge.