I’ve noticed that many MassHealth members are unaware that the agency provides free non-emergency transportation to-and-from medical appointments that are covered by your MassHealth plan. This covers elderly, disabled, and non-disabled members living in the community. All types of vehicles are available, based on need; passenger car, wheelchair vans, and non-emergency ambulances.
Transportation to MassHealth covered services; including medical, counseling, and day habilitation appointments.
The Human Service Transportation Office (HST) manages non-emergency transportation for MassHealth Standard, MassHealth CommonHealth or MassHealth CarePlus members.
To find out if you qualify for transportation benefits, please contact the MassHealth Customer Service Center (CSC) at 1-800-841-2900
(TTY: 1-800-497-4648 for people with partial or total hearing loss).
How do I utilize my transportation benefit?
- This transportation is provided through a PT-1 form. This form is the authorization to transport a member to a specific location.
- Members will need a separate form for each location or service that they need to go to.
- PT-1 transportation is a curb-to-curb service. This means that the member should be able to get out to the vehicle and in to their appointment without the help of the driver.
- A member may bring an escort to help them get in or out of the vehicle.
Obtaining & Utilizing a PT-1:
- Talk to your health care provider (Primary Care Physician- PCP) if you need transportation to and from a non-emergency medical appointment.
- Your MassHealth provider must complete an online transportation request (PT-1 form) for you.
- You can check the status of your PT-1 form to see if it’s approved.
- If the PT-1 form is approved, you’ll receive a letter from your transportation broker (MART or GATRA) with instructions on how to schedule your ride. When possible, schedule your ride at least 3 days in advance.
- Most PT-1 requests take about 24-hours to approve, but may take up to 3-days in some cases.
- If you require an escort to assist you on your trip, you must ask your medical provider to indicate that on your PT-1.
- Transportation for urgent care appointments that were given on the same day or for the next day will be provided.
Things to know using a PT-1
- Whenever possible, schedule your trips at least three business days before your appointment.
- Drivers cannot leave before your scheduled pick-up time even if they arrive early. They are required to wait until at least 10 minutes after scheduled pickup time before departing without the member.
- Everyone in the vehicle must wear seatbelts throughout the duration of the trip.
- Your ride may be shared with other members, but these additional pickups and drop-offs should not add more than 45 minutes to your trip.
- If you need to be picked up or dropped off at a location besides your home, that information must be added to your PT-1 as an alternate pickup address at the time of submission.
Kris' PCA Services 
Leave a comment