Medicaid’s Transportation Benefit and Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)

Transportation is essential for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) to regularly access health care and support chronic health conditions that require ongoing treatment. However, CYSHCN are significantly more likely to delay care due to transportation barriers than children and youth without a special health care need. State Medicaid agencies are required to administer the non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) benefit, which provides coverage for rides to and from medical appointments for all Medicaid beneficiaries. States determine when a ride is necessary (e.g., a beneficiary has a mental or physical disability). Knowledge of the NEMT benefit can assist state health officials, including state Title V program staff, in supporting access to care for CYSHCN enrolled in Medicaid.