Georgia Medicaid Transportation in 2026: How to Book Rides with Verida

How does Medicaid transportation work in Georgia in 2026?

Georgia Medicaid gives free rides to covered medical care for members who have no other way to get there. As of April 1, 2026, Verida arranges these trips in all five Georgia regions, and Modivcare no longer does.

The program is called non-emergency medical transportation, or NEMT. Georgia splits the state into five NEMT regions: North, Atlanta, Central, East and Southwest. For years Verida (formerly Southeastrans) served the North and Atlanta regions. Now it serves all of them.

If your parent lives in Kennesaw, Marietta, Acworth, Powder Springs, Dallas, Hiram or Douglasville, their county (Cobb, Paulding or Douglas) has been part of the North region on Verida’s county list.

Here is the short version for a family member setting up rides. Georgia Medicaid NEMT is for members with no other means of transportation, and only to services Medicaid covers: medical treatment, evaluations, picking up prescriptions and getting medical equipment. There is no co-pay. You book through Verida at least three business days ahead, by phone from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays or online at member.verida.com. Rides are shared, so plan for other stops along the way. Have the Medicaid ID, appointment date, time and address, and the rider’s mobility needs ready. One adult escort can ride free when it is medically necessary. Urgent same-day trips are handled within three hours, and the broker’s line runs 24/7 for “Where’s My Ride” and hospital discharges. If something goes wrong, the DCH Member Contact Center at 1-866-211-0950 takes complaints.

Who qualifies for a Medicaid ride?

A member qualifies when they have Medicaid, have no other way to get to the appointment, and are going to a Medicaid-covered service. Georgia Medicaid lists treatment, evaluations, prescriptions and medical equipment as covered trip purposes.

“No other means” matters. If a household member has a working car and can drive, the broker may ask about it. Be honest about what is available on the day of the appointment.

How do I book a ride with Verida?

Call Verida or book online at least three business days before the appointment. The Georgia Medicaid FAQ says the day you call counts toward the three days, but the appointment day does not.

Follow these steps:

1. Gather details. Medicaid ID, appointment date and time, the clinic’s name and address, and the doctor’s phone number.
2. Describe mobility. Say whether the rider walks, uses a wheelchair, or must lie flat. Mention a walker, oxygen they carry, or a need for help at the door.
3. Call during booking hours. Verida’s reservation line is open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Verida’s Georgia page lists the North region at 678-510-4555 or 866-388-9844 (toll-free).
4. Or book online at member.verida.com.
5. Ask for an escort if your parent needs one. One escort age 18 or older rides free when medically necessary.
6. Write down the trip number and the pickup window.

Verida runs a shared-ride service, so your parent may ride with other passengers. Plan for some extra time.

Quick reference: Georgia Medicaid NEMT numbers

What you need	Who to contact	Number or link
Book, change or cancel a ride (North region)	Verida	678-510-4555 or 866-388-9844
Book online	Verida	member.verida.com
Ride is late (“Where’s My Ride”)	Verida, option 2	866-388-9844
Urgent same-day care or hospital discharge	Verida (24/7)	Same broker line
Complaints, benefit questions	DCH Member Contact Center	1-866-211-0950
Feedback on service quality	Verida Quality Assurance	678-510-4513

Phone numbers can change. The DCH NEMT page posts the current broker contact chart by county.

What counts as an urgent trip?

An urgent trip is unscheduled care that is not life-threatening but must happen the same day. Georgia Medicaid says valid urgent requests are honored within three hours.

A sick visit the doctor wants today is a common example. A heart attack or stroke is an emergency: call 911.

What should I do if the Medicaid ride doesn’t come?

Call the broker’s “Where’s My Ride” line first, then tell the clinic you are running late. The DCH FAQ says to call the broker and press option 2, and the line is staffed 24/7.

Verida’s page says to call if you have waited more than 15 minutes past the scheduled pickup time. Then:

1. Ask for the driver’s estimated arrival and write down who you spoke with.
2. Call the doctor’s office or dialysis clinic. Some offices will hold the slot if they know you are coming.
3. If the ride never arrives, ask the broker to reschedule.
4. File a complaint with the DCH Member Contact Center at 1-866-211-0950. Give the date, time, trip number and what happened.

A missed ride on a return trip is harder, since your parent may be waiting at a clinic that is closing. Ask the clinic staff to stay with them while you call.

When does private pay make sense?

Private pay makes sense when the timing or the trip falls outside what Medicaid covers. Common cases include short notice, a destination Medicaid doesn’t cover, or a rider who needs the same driver and a set time every week.

Families often book a private ride when:

• The appointment is tomorrow and the three-day window has passed.
• Your parent is not on Medicaid, or is between coverage.
• The trip is not to a Medicaid-covered service.
• A missed or late ride would cost a procedure slot or a surgery time.
• Your parent does poorly in a shared ride with extra stops.
• A hospital discharge is ready and you want a set pickup time.

You can mix the two. Some families use the broker for routine visits and book privately for the trips that cannot slip.

How Naeli Medical Transport can help

Naeli Medical Transport is based at 3070 N Main St in Kennesaw and drives riders across Cobb, Paulding and Douglas counties, including Kennesaw, Marietta, Acworth, Powder Springs, Dallas, Hiram and Douglasville. We run ambulatory, wheelchair and stretcher rides every day from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Our drivers are PASS certified, CPR and First Aid trained, and background checked. We are not an ambulance service and do not give medical care during rides.

Call us to ask whether we can take your Medicaid trip, or book a private-pay ride. Book 24 to 48 hours ahead when you can; we take same-day rides when a vehicle is open. Prices depend on the trip, so call for a quote.

Call (404) 390-9956 or send us a request. For more answers, see our FAQ or the guide on what Medicare pays for.