If You Need: A Ride To Treatment

Getting to and from the hospital for treatment can be a major problem for some people. For patients who feel too sick to drive or who do not have a loved one or friend to help them, getting to and from the hospital can be an ordeal. This is especially true for people who receive daily x-ray (radiation) treatments.

Many communities offer transportation services for cancer patients. The services vary from community to community, but most will fall into one of three types: volunteer programs, community agency services, and private transportation services.

Volunteer Programs:

In many communities, local religious and civic organizations offer cancer patients transportation help. Volunteers take people to and from treatment centers and other medical I of 3 facilities. If you want this service, you must call in advance, usually at least two days ahead, to arrange a ride.

Community Social Service Agencies:

Transportation help is often free for those who meet the guidelines of a community agency. The guidelines vary; each community agency has its own requirements.

Ambulance Services: If you are not able to walk, an ambulance service may be available. This help can be private or part of a local city or town program. The rates vary. Check with more than one company to compare rates. Ask also if the ambulance service will bill Medicare, your insurance group or your state or local program for their service.

How Transportation Services Can Help:

How Do You Find These Services?

Helpful Hints

If you use a volunteer service, you may have to share a ride with other people who are being driven to the same place. This may mean a short wait before you return home until the other passengers have received treatment. Also you may not be able to take family members along. Check with the person who will provide the ride.

You may be able to get transportation help from the area agency on aging or Department of Public Welfare even if you do not meet the guidelines for aging or welfare in your state. Check with the agency providing the ride. You may need a letter from your doctor. The letter should say that you aren't able to walk and you can't get to treatment any other way. Some insurance groups will pay for a ride by ambulance. Check to see if your plan covers this service.

Some hospitals provide vans to transport patients to treatment. Check with your doctor, nurse or social worker to see if your hospital provides this service. Medicare will not pay for ambulance service from your home to your doctor's office. If other means of transportation might cause danger to your health, Medicare may help pay for ambulance transportation to the following places:

If you are not be able to walk and need daily x-ray (radiation) treatments, Medicare may cover your ambulance costs. You will need a letter from your doctor stating that ambulance transportation is medically necessary.

Don't hesitate to ask family and friends for help in getting to treatment. Often people who love you are looking for ways to help. They want to feel useful.

Some local American Cancer Society offices can arrange drivers for patients, or they might help pay travel expenses when patients need to go to a cancer treatment center.

This Fact Sheet is adapted from the book, Helping People Cope: A Guide for Families Facing Cancer, written by Joan F. Hermann, ACSW, Sandra L. Wojtkowiak, RN, MSN, Peter S. Houts, Ph.D., and S. Benham Kahn, MD, and supported by the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Program of the Pennsylvania Department of Health; 1990 Revised Edition.

c 1993, American Cancer Society, Inc.

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