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Transportation To Medical Appointments

Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)

Regional public transit provider for greater Columbus and Central Ohio. Riders can use the Transit app, pay exact change, or purchase a physical pass at a COTA office or vending machine to ride. Rides are free on days the National Weather Service has issued a heat or cold advisory or warning. Visit the website for routes, fares and program details. They offer several programs to help make transportation accessible:

  • COTA Mainstream/Paratransit: Offers shared-ride or private door-to-door service for those whose disabilities prevent them from riding a COTA fixed-route bus. Customers must complete an application for services.
    (614) 275-5833
  • COTA Plus: Download the app to request on-demand rides from Grove City, Westerville, the South Side, or Franklin County Corrections Center.
    (614) 308-4400
  • COTA C-Pass: An employer-sponsored benefit for downtown businesses and their employees. Downtown employees may access free bus rides and e-bike rides.
    (614) 591-4184
  • Zoo Bus: Provides rides to Columbus Zoo and discounted admission to the Zoo or Zoombezi Bay for all ages from May through October.
  • Discounted Fares: Individuals who receive income assistance (such as Medicaid, TANF, WIC, SNAP/EBT), people ages 65+, persons with disabilities, and veterans receive half-price fares. Customers must apply in-person at the COTA Customer Experience Center and bring proper documentation.
  • Educational Pass: Students grades 9-12 at Columbus City Schools can receive a Student Success Card for free, unlimited access to COTA transit and Columbus Metropolitan Library.
    cota.com/ccs

COTA Customer Experience Center: 33 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 228-1776
Mobility Services Office: 1330 Fields Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 275-5833
cota.com

Do More Foundation

Offers financial assistance for families who need financial help due to their child’s medical needs. Includes help with utility/rent bills, meal expenses while at the hospital, gas expenses for travel to and from hospital or doctor visits, non-covered medical expenses, non-covered supplies that would aid the child in their treatment and funeral expenses related to the death of a child. Go online for additional contact information and to apply for assistance.
PO Box 1981, Pompano Beach, Florida 33061
(954) 857-9059
thedomorefoundation.org

Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services (JFS) Medical Support Transportation Services

Transportation services are provided to non-emergency medical appointments for disabled children and adults on Medicaid. Families may use the transportation services multiple times once they are approved. Call the number below to get started.
314 North Wilson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 233-2381
jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/medical-support-services

Health Insurance Managed Care Plans (MCP) Medicaid Hotlines & Transportation to Medical Appointments

In Ohio, most individuals who have Medicaid must join a Managed Care Plan (MCP) to receive their health care. These plans provide a toll-free Member Services phoneline for help coordinating care for individuals with special health care needs, medical advice, transportation, and other plan benefits. Ohio has a general hotline for advice about all managed care plans.

Ohio Medicaid 24/7 Hotline: (800) 324-8680
medicaid.ohio.gov/families-and-individuals/srvcs/transportation

  • AmeriHealth Caritas
    Members with a medical appointment over 30 miles away can call Member Services to schedule free transportation. Members should call 48 hours in advance to schedule transportation.
    Member Services: (833) 764-7700
    Transportation: (833) 664-6368
    amerihealthcaritasoh.com/member/benefits/transportation
  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
    Members can receive free rides to and from their doctor’s office, pharmacy, and other providers of covered services through Access2Care. Call a minimum of 2 full business days prior to your appointment to schedule. For an urgent/same day appointment or facility discharge, members may call and Access2Care will try to find a ride for the member. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance.
    Member Services: (844) 912-0938
    Access2Care: (800) 282-9720
    anthem.com/oh/medicaid/benefits/transportation
  • Buckeye Health Plan
    Provides round trip coverage for covered services 30+ miles away. Offers 15 round-trip visits per member per 12-month period for healthcare appointments, WIC appointments, JFS renewal/redetermination appointments, and pharmacies. Members can call 2 business days in advance to schedule.
    (866) 246-4358
    buckeyehealthplan.com/members/medicaid/benefits-services/benefits-central-southeast.html
  • CareSource
    Provides trips to and from any healthcare visits, JFS renewal appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, and food pantries. Call Member Services at least 2 business days before the appointment to schedule a ride.
    Member Services: (800) 488-0134
    caresource.com/oh/plans/medicaid/benefits-services/additional-services/transportation
  • Humana Healthy Horizons
    Provides 30 one-way (15 round) trips each calendar year for members. Rides are available for JFS appointments, healthcare appointments, baby showers, food banks, GED classes, job interviews parenting classes, and more. Additional trips are available for circumstances such as intensive outpatient treatment or visiting children in residential facilities. Unlimited trips are available for treatments such as chemotherapy, dialysis, and urgent care. Transportation is provided through Access2Care. Call 48 hours in advance of needing a ride if needing access to wheelchair transportation or non-medical transportation.
    Member Services: (877) 856-5702
    Access2Care: (855) 739-5986
    humana.com/medicaid/ohio/coverage/transportation
  • Molina
    Provides 30 one-way trips each calendar year for healthcare appointments, WIC appointments, pharmacies, food pantries, and grocery stores. Unlimited rides are available for transportation from the emergency room, doctor’s appointments 30+ miles away, prenatal care and after-birth check-ups, and newborn well-visits. Transportation may be provided through rideshare services (Lyft, Uber), taxis, bus passes, gas money, or other providers. Call the transportation line at least 48 hours before needing transportation to schedule.
    Transportation: (866) 642-9279
    Member Services: (800) 642-4168
    molinahealthcare.com/members/oh/en-US/mem/medicaid/overvw/coverd/services/transport.aspx
  • United Healthcare
    Provides 30 one-way (15 round) trips per calendar year to medical appointments, dental and vision appointments, pharmacies, WIC visits, and JFS offices. Members should call Member Services 2 days in advance to schedule a trip.
    Member Services: (800) 895-2017
    uhc.com/communityplan/ohio/plans/medicaid/community-plan

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) 211 Central Ohio

Faith-based organization providing a wide range of services across Ohio. Services include Faith Mission homeless shelter, food, health care, affordable senior living and domestic violence help. Visit the website for detailed program information and for programs in Fairfield County. The LSS 211 Information and Referral network can connect you to food pantries and other social services across Franklin County and Ohio.

  • LSS 211 Referral Line & Online Database
    Call 211 or (614) 221-2255
    lssnetworkofhope.org/211centralohio
  • Central Ohio Main Office
    1105 Schrock Rd, Columbus, OH 43229
    (614) 228-5200
    lssnetworkofhope.org
  • Champion Avenue Food Pantry
    1460 South Champion Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206
    (877) 577-6325
    All Pantry & Produce Locations: lssnetworkofhope.org/foodpantries/locations
    Pantry Registration: lssfoodpantries.org
  • LSS Health Center
    Offers primary care, dental, vision, HIV/STD testing, pharmacy, behavioral healthcare, and substance use disorder (SUD/MAT) treatment.
    245 North Grant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
    (614) 224-0747
    lssnetworkofhope.org/lsshealthcenter
  • Faith Mission Franklin County Homeless Shelter
    Must call Homeless Hotline in advance to be assigned a bed: (614) 274-7000
    217 North Grant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
    Men’s Shelter: 599 East Eighth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
    lssnetworkofhope.org/faithmission
  • Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
    Offers emergency shelter beds for veterans and help with housing stability for veteran families.
    (614) 224-6617
  • CHOICES Domestic Violence Services
    Offers temporary housing, counseling, legal services, and peer support for survivors of domestic violence.
    24-hour Domestic Violence Crisis Line: (614) 224-4663
    General: (614) 224-7200
    lssnetworkofhope.org/choices/services

Miracle Flights

Provides free commercial airline tickets for children and their families traveling for specialized medical care within the United States. Families must meet financial guidelines, have a child under the age of 17 seeking medical care, and have a confirmed medical appointment scheduled at least 14 days in advance to qualify. All flyers must be able to safely board and travel on a commercial airline. Approved families may receive up to 2 round-trip flights per month during the course of treatment. They also offer flights for service dog training and retrieval. Visit the website to request an application.
(800) 359-1711
miracleflights.org

Ohio Department of Medicaid Waiver Services

Ohio Medicaid Waivers help eligible customers with disabilities or chronic health conditions pay for healthcare costs and access care at home or in the community rather than a long-term care facility. Covered services may include personal care, transportation, respite services, supported employment, nutrition services, assistive devices, home modifications and interpreter services. Each state has its own waiver program with distinct eligibility requirements, and there is typically a waiting list. Contact your local Board of Developmental Disabilities or Department of Job and Family Services to start the waiver application process.

Job & Family Services Offices: cap4kids.org/columbus/franklin-county-jfs
County Boards of Developmental Disabilities Offices: cap4kids.org/columbus/department-of-developmental-disabilities
Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities Service Coordination Department: (614) 464-2743
Franklin County Job and Family Services: (844) 640-6446
Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline: (800) 324-8680

Oracle Health Foundation

Provides financial grants to help cover costs related to children’s healthcare needs. Grants are provided for clinical costs, equipment costs, displacement, or vehicle modification. Examples of expenses covered include lodging and transportation related to a child’s care, clinical procedures, medicine, care devices/medical equipment, and assistive equipment. The grant recipient must be 21 years of age or younger, be under the care of a physician, and have no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses. Families may request funds once per 12 months, with a maximum of three times in a child’s lifetime. Visit the website to complete an application.
(816) 573-6050
oraclehealthfoundation.org/pediatric-grants

Private Companies that Transport Children with Wheelchairs & Special Needs

1st Advanced EMS
Provides 24/7 emergency and non-emergency medical transportation. Services include wheelchair, stretcher, and long distance transport.
723 North James Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 348-9991
1stadvems.com

Courtesy Ambulance
Provides 24/7 emergency and non-emergency medical transportation in Licking County, Ohio. Services include wheelchair and stretcher transport.
1890 West Main Street, Newark, Ohio 43055
(740) 522-8588
courtesyambulance.com

Critical Care Transport
Provides EMS services to any patient regardless of acuity.
2936 East Fourteenth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 775-0564
criticalcaretransport.net

ValueCare Ambulance Service
Provides 24/7 emergency and non-emergency ambulance/medical transportation. Services include wheelchair and stretcher transportation. Their service area includes almost all of Ohio, and they have several locations across the state.
2572 Setter Court, Lancaster, Ohio, 43130
valuecareambulance.com

Note: CAP4Kids cannot recommend or endorse any specific company. We encourage families to carefully review and evaluate all services.

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