You're already managing doctor appointments, medication schedules, insurance calls, and everything else that comes with caring for someone you love. And now you have to figure out how to get them there, too.
You're not alone. More than seven million Californians — 23 percent of all adults in the state — are family caregivers, providing largely unpaid support to older parents, spouses, and other loved ones, according to AARP California's 2025 caregiving report. Arranging transportation is one of the core responsibilities that comes with that role — and one of the most stressful to navigate.
This guide is for you. We'll break down what's covered, what your options are in Sacramento, and how to make the logistics less overwhelming.
Section 1 — Know What's Covered
If your loved one has Medi-Cal, medical transportation is very likely a covered benefit. The key is understanding which type applies to your situation.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) is for people whose medical or physical condition prevents them from using regular transit. This includes wheelchair van transport, litter vans, and ambulance transport. NEMT covers door-to-door assistance and is appropriate when someone cannot safely use a standard vehicle or public transit.
Non-Medical Transportation (NMT) is broader. It covers a round trip by car, taxi, bus, or any other vehicle to reach any Medi-Cal-covered service — including the doctor's office, pharmacy, dental appointments, and mental health visits. NMT does not require the person to have a physical limitation; it applies when there's simply no other way to get there.
Both benefits are explained in detail by Disability Rights California.
The PCS Form — What It Is and Why You Need to Know It
For NEMT specifically, your loved one's doctor must complete a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) form before the ride can be authorized. Each Medi-Cal managed care plan has its own version of this form.
The PCS form documents:
- Why your loved one cannot use ordinary transportation
- The specific mode of transport needed (wheelchair van, litter van, etc.)
- The dates of service required (up to 12 months at a time)
Once the doctor signs and submits the PCS form to the health plan, the plan cannot change the authorization. For recurring appointments — dialysis, chemotherapy, wound care — ask the doctor to write the dates for the full treatment period upfront. That one step saves you from re-authorizing the ride every single week.
If a ride is urgent and there was no time to submit a PCS form beforehand, telephone authorization is allowed. Just make sure to get the written follow-up confirmation.
Section 2 — The Options in Sacramento
There are three tiers of medical transportation available in Sacramento. Which one you use depends on your loved one's coverage and circumstances.
Tier 1: Medi-Cal Covered Rides (Modivcare)
For most Medi-Cal managed care members in Sacramento, the transportation broker is Modivcare. They coordinate and dispatch rides on behalf of the health plan.
To schedule a ride, call the member number on the back of your loved one's Medi-Cal card. If you're with Health Net Medi-Cal, that number is 1-855-253-6863. Reservations are accepted Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific time. More information on Medi-Cal transportation in California is available at modivcare.com/facilities/ca.
When you call, have the following ready:
- Member ID number
- Appointment date, time, and address
- Type of mobility equipment needed (walker, wheelchair, etc.)
- Whether the member needs a driver escort at the door
Tier 2: Community Options (When Medi-Cal Doesn't Cover It, or as a Backup)
ACC Rides — Operated by ACC Senior Services, this program provides door-through-door transportation for adults 60 and older in South Sacramento zip codes including 95820, 95822, 95823, 95824, 95828, 95831, and 95832, among others. Rides cover medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other errands within a 10-mile radius of their home base. Call (916) 393-RIDE (7433) or email rides@accsv.org to get started.
SacRT GO Paratransit — Sacramento Regional Transit's door-to-door paratransit program is available to individuals whose disability prevents them from using fixed-route buses or light rail. Eligible riders must apply through SacRT's ADA eligibility process. Once approved, rides cost $5.00 each way and can be booked up to two days in advance by calling 916-321-2877, option 2, then option 2. Service runs from 4:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. within 3/4 mile of SacRT's regular routes.
Dial 211 — Sacramento's 211 helpline connects callers to local social services, including transportation programs you may not know exist. If you're hitting a wall with other options, call 211 and describe the situation.
Tier 3: Private Pay NEMT
When Medi-Cal doesn't cover a particular trip — or when you need a ride on short notice that the health plan can't coordinate — private-pay NEMT companies fill the gap. These providers charge per trip or per mile and can typically accommodate wheelchair vans, stretcher transport, and basic medical monitoring. Rates in the Sacramento area generally range from $35 to $90+ depending on the vehicle type and distance.
This is where companies like WeCare916 come in. More on that below.
Section 3 — How to Make It Less Stressful
The logistics of medical transportation are manageable once you build a system. These tips make a real difference:
Set up standing orders for recurring appointments. If your loved one goes to dialysis three times a week, ask Modivcare (or whichever broker handles the plan) to set up a standing order. You shouldn't have to call for every single trip.
Ask to be added to the notification chain. Request that you receive text or call confirmations when a ride is scheduled, and again when the driver is en route. You shouldn't be waiting and wondering.
Build a transportation folder. Keep the following in one place:
- Medi-Cal card (front and back copy)
- Signed PCS form
- Health plan contact numbers
- Appointment calendar
- Backup options (ACC Rides number, SacRT GO number)
Call at least 3–5 business days ahead for one-time trips. Medi-Cal transportation brokers are not on-demand services. Most require advance notice, and same-day rides are usually only available for urgent medical situations.
Always have a backup plan. Even when a Medi-Cal ride is confirmed, delays and no-shows happen. Save the ACC Rides and SacRT GO numbers in your phone. Know which option applies to your loved one before you need it.
Section 4 — When Things Go Wrong
Rides are late. Sometimes they don't show. Sometimes a request gets denied.
If a driver doesn't arrive on time, call the broker's "Where's My Ride?" line immediately. Under Medi-Cal rules, if a Non-Medical Transportation provider fails to arrive at the scheduled time, the health plan must provide an alternative — or reimburse you for out-of-network transportation you arrange yourself.
If a ride is denied, you have the right to appeal. Document the denial in writing, note the reason given, and file a grievance with the health plan. Your loved one's doctor can also submit a stronger justification through a revised PCS form.
We've covered the full denial and appeal process in detail in our earlier post: What to Do When Medi-Cal Denies Your Transportation Request. That's your next read if you're hitting that wall.
We Built This for Families Like Yours
At WeCare916 NEMT LLC, we're launching in Summer 2026 to serve South Sacramento and Elk Grove. We know this community. We know how hard caregivers work, how much coordination it takes, and how much it matters when a ride is reliable.
Whether you're navigating Medi-Cal transportation for the first time or looking for a private-pay option you can count on, we're here.
Learn more and stay in touch at wecare916.com.