Extra Help Getting a Ride

You can get a ride at no cost to a medical appointment, urgent care, pharmacy, dentist and more. Just make sure to request your ride at least 2 days in advance. Your plan does not cover rides for non-medical reasons.

• Adult members 18 or older 
• Minor (member) parent, legal guardian or LAR 
• Service coordinator, member advocate or customer advocate 
• Medical providers 
• Behavioral health coordinators or providers

• Member’s full name, current address, date of birth and phone number
• Member’s BCBSTX Member ID number 
• Date and time of appointment 
• Type of appointment 
• Wheelchair van if needed or other additional help

When using VAS Transportation (all plans):

• An adult member and more than one child.
• Member and attendant (pre-approved). This means a parent or caregiver may come along if the child or member has special needs. 
• Member and service animal. 

When using Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Benefit* (STAR and STAR Kids):

• Adult member and one child only. 
• Member and attendant (pre-approved). 
• Member and service animal. 
• Minor (member) and parent or Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) with written permission of parent. 

Call Modivcare if you have questions about who is eligible to ride with you.

• For VAS Transportation, all plan members call 1-855-933-6993.
• For NEMT, STAR and STAR Kids members call 1-866-824-1565.

* CHIP plan members do not have NEMT as a covered benefit. Transportation benefits for CHIP members are covered only as a VAS. 

A parent with one child may ride with Modivcare. Also, if the child or member has special needs, a parent may ride with Modivcare. If you are a member who is a single caregiver and you have more than one minor child, you can ask the Customer Advocate Department to approve VAS transportation for additional minor children through Modivcare. Caregivers or other children must be approved by BCBSTX when the ride is scheduled. If your child requires a car seat, make sure to have it ready before your scheduled pickup.

• You can use the Modivcare app to make changes to your ride.
• You also can call ModivCare to change a reservation, cancel a trip or ask questions. Call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Try to call as far in advance as possible. But you must cancel at least one hour before the pick-up time. 
  • CHIP members call 1-855-933-6993 (TTY: 711)
  • STAR and STAR Kids members call 1-866-824-1565 (TTY: 711)
• For transportation after a hospital discharge or for urgent care trips, the Modivcare reservation line is open 24/7. 

If the trip is covered, here are ways you may request to get reimbursed:

• Use the Modivcare app. Just download it from Google Play^® or the Apple App Store^®.  Make sure to have an email address handy to create your account. You will need to add a driver by calling Modivcare to complete your first trip. 
• Use the Mileage Reimbursement Form. Follow these instructions on how to complete the form and mail it in. Use the form to get reimbursed for trips to your medical appointments when you drive your own car. Trips must be approved. You must be driving to get covered health care. Your provider will need to sign the form to show you went to the appointment.