Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease
Published on: August 9, 2024
Geographic variation in Medicare Advantage nonemergency medical transportation benefits 2020-2024
Chuan Angel Lu1, Lesi He2, Arthur S Hong3,4
1Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, United States.
Introduction:
Nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) is a supplemental benefit in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans that helps individuals overcome transportation barriers to healthcare services. It remains unclear whether these benefits are targeted to communities with greater needs.
Methods:
We analyzed MA plan benefit data from 2020 to 2024 across 2764 US counties. Transportation barriers were assessed using 5 indicators: vehicle ownership, income levels, self-reported health status, avoidable hospital visits, and access to primary care. We examined trends in NEMT availability and its alignment with county-level transportation need, considering MA plan penetration as a modifying factor.
Results:
Nonemergency medical transportation benefit prevalence in MA plans increased by 13.88% points from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, counties with the greatest transportation barriers had a 19.4% point higher prevalence of NEMT offerings compared to counties with the fewest barriers. Alignment was stronger in counties with higher MA plan penetration.
Conclusion:
Medicare Advantage plans increasingly offer NEMT benefits in areas with greater transportation challenges, especially where MA plan penetration is higher. These findings suggest responsiveness to social needs and the potential role of market dynamics. Policymakers can support equitable access by incorporating transportation needs into MA plan evaluations.
Related Concept Videos
Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
Standards of Care I
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
Current Trends in Nursing II
Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:

