If you or a loved one has trouble getting to medical appointments — whether due to age, disability, or a medical condition — non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) may be exactly what you need. But many Phoenix-area patients don't know what NEMT is, whether they qualify, or how to book a ride. This guide covers everything.

Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is a specialized transportation service that helps patients get to and from medical appointments when they are unable to drive themselves or use public transit safely. Unlike an ambulance, NEMT is for patients who are medically stable but need assistance getting to their appointment.

Common NEMT trips include:

• Dialysis appointments — often three times per week, every week
• Outpatient surgery — where rideshares are not permitted post-procedure
• Doctor and specialist visits — for patients with mobility limitations
• Hospital discharge — getting home safely after a procedure or stay
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation — ongoing treatment appointments
• Mental health appointments — for patients who cannot drive

NEMT services are available to a wide range of patients. You may qualify if you:

• Have a physical disability that prevents you from driving or using public transit
• Are a senior who no longer drives or has limited mobility
• Are recovering from surgery and cannot operate a vehicle
• Have a chronic condition (like kidney disease requiring dialysis) that requires frequent medical visits
• Are a Medicaid/AHCCCS enrollee — Arizona's Medicaid program (AHCCCS) covers NEMT for eligible members who have no other means of transportation to covered medical services

If you're an AHCCCS member in Arizona, you may be entitled to free or low-cost NEMT rides to covered medical appointments. Check with your managed care plan for details on how to request a covered ride.

This is one of the most common questions we hear — and it's an important one.

For many medical trips, rideshares like Uber and Lyft are simply not appropriate or permitted:

• Post-surgery patients are often required by their surgical center to use a licensed medical transport provider, not a rideshare
• Wheelchair users may not be able to safely board a standard rideshare vehicle
• Patients with medical equipment (oxygen, IV lines, etc.) need trained drivers who understand how to assist
• Liability and insurance — rideshare drivers are not trained or insured for medical transport

A dedicated NEMT provider like Tiger Transports employs trained drivers, maintains accessible vehicles, and carries the appropriate insurance for medical transportation.

When you book with Tiger Transports, here's what the experience looks like:

1. Book in advance — call or submit a ride request online with your pickup location, destination, date, and time
2. Confirmation — we confirm your booking within 1 business hour
3. Day of your ride — your driver arrives on time at your pickup location
4. Door-to-door service — we assist you from your door to the vehicle and from the vehicle to your appointment entrance
5. Return trip — we can schedule your return ride at the same time as your outbound trip

Tiger Transports serves Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Surprise, and 8+ additional cities across the Phoenix metro. Booking is simple:

• Call us directly for immediate assistance
• Submit a ride request online and we'll confirm within 1 business hour

Whether you need a one-time ride or recurring transportation for dialysis or therapy, we're here to help.

Book your Phoenix NEMT ride today — it takes less than 2 minutes to request.