Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Rides?

Key Takeaways

• Medicare Part B covers emergency ambulance rides when medically necessary and doctor-certified.
• Air ambulance transport may be covered if ground transport is not safe or timely.
• Non-emergency transport is sometimes covered with a doctor’s order, especially for chronic conditions.
• Medicare Advantage plans may offer lower costs and added benefits like non-emergency transportation, but coverage varies by plan.

When you’re facing a medical emergency, ambulance transportation can be critical. But it can also be expensive, especially if you’re unsure what Medicare will or won’t cover.

If you’re enrolled in Medicare or about to be, it’s important to understand how your benefits cover ambulance rides. Medicare typically helps pay for emergency transportation, but only under certain conditions.

This guide explains when coverage applies, what it includes and how costs can vary depending on your plan.

What is Medicare Part B?

Medicare is made up of four parts:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance)
• Part B (Medical Insurance)
• Part C (Medicare Advantage)
• Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)

Original Medicare includes Parts A and B. Part B is the portion that covers ambulance transportation when it’s deemed medically necessary.

After you meet your Part B deductible, which is $257 in 2025, Medicare typically covers 80% of the approved amount for ambulance services. You’ll pay the remaining 20% unless you have a Medigap policy to help cover costs. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, your coverage and costs will be determined by that plan instead of Original Medicare. 

Other services covered under Part B include:

• Doctor visits
• Preventative screenings
• Durable medical equipment (like walkers or oxygen)
• Some home healthcare services

To enroll in Part B, you must be at least 65 (or meet disability requirements) and a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.

Medicare Part B and Ambulance Transport Coverage

Ambulance coverage through Medicare is designed for medically necessary situations where other transportation could put your health at serious risk. The most common types of transport covered include ground and air ambulance services.

Let’s break down how each is covered under Medicare.

Ground Ambulance Transportation

Medicare will help cover ground ambulance services when certain conditions are met.

To be eligible for coverage:

• The transportation must be medically necessary as determined by your doctor, not by Medicare in advance
• You must need services that can’t be provided in another type of vehicle (like a car or taxi)
• You’re transported to an approved facility

Covered destinations include:

• A hospital
• A critical access hospital (CAH)
• A skilled nursing facility (SNF)
• A rural emergency hospital, if no closer option is available

These transports must be to the nearest appropriate facility that can provide the required care. Transport beyond that may be covered if it’s medically justified.

If the ambulance provider believes Medicare may not cover the services, they must give you an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) before transport.

Air Ambulance Transportation

Air ambulance service—like helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft—is much less common but can be covered in emergencies when ground transportation is not feasible.

Medicare will cover air transport if:

• You’re in a location where ground transport cannot reach you safely or quickly, such as in remote or mountainous areas
• You require rapid transport to a medical facility because of your condition

Examples of scenarios where air ambulance transport may be covered:

• A person suffers a stroke in a rural area where no ground transport can reach them in time
• A trauma patient needs to be airlifted from an accident site

Medicare reviews air ambulance claims carefully, and documentation must show that air transport is the safest and most effective option.

Medicare Advantage Plans and Ambulance Services

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your coverage replaces Original Medicare and includes emergency ambulance services at the same level or better. Some plans may even offer lower out-of-pocket costs or additional non-emergency transportation services.

Check your plan documents or contact your provider to confirm:

• Whether prior authorization is needed (for non-emergencies)
• What copays or coinsurance apply

Your Medicare Advantage plan will also have its own deductible and cost-sharing structure, which may differ from Original Medicare.

Non-Emergency Ambulance Transportation

Even if there are no flashing lights, some non-emergency ambulance rides may still be covered by Medicare.

Medicare may help pay for non-emergency ambulance transport if:

• It’s medically necessary, and
• You have a written order from a doctor stating why ambulance transportation is required

This type of coverage is often used for patients with chronic conditions who need to travel to a facility for treatment but cannot safely use any other form of transport.

Examples include:

• A person with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who requires regular transport to a dialysis center
• A person with severe mobility issues who needs recurring transport to physical therapy

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it may also cover non-emergency ambulance services. Those plans often require prior authorization, so be sure to contact your plan in advance to confirm your coverage.

8 a.m.-8 p.m., 7 days a week.

FAQs

How much does Medicare pay for ambulance services?

After you meet your Part B deductible ($257 in 2025), Medicare typically covers 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for ambulance services. You are responsible for the remaining 20% unless you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan.

Note: The total cost of an ambulance ride varies depending on the distance, location and level of care provided. For example, air ambulance services are significantly more expensive than ground transport.

What should I do if Medicare denies coverage for ambulance services?

If your ambulance claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. Steps you can take include:

• Reviewing your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to understand the reason for denial
• Contacting the ambulance provider to confirm proper documentation was submitted
• Working with your doctor to provide medical justification
• Filing an appeal through Medicare within the allowed time frame

Appeals must be filed promptly, and supporting medical documentation is often crucial to a successful outcome.

Does Medicare Advantage cover more than Original Medicare?

Yes, many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare does not, such as dental, vision, hearing, transportation, and over-the-counter (OTC) allowances.

Note: Benefits vary by plan and location. Always check your specific plan to understand what is included.

Sources

• 2025 Medicare Costs
• Medicare.gov: Ambulance Services
• Medicare Interactive.org: Air Ambulance Transportation
• AARP.org: Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Services?
• Medicare Advocacy: Ambulance Coverage
• Healthline: Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Services?

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Disclaimers