Quick Answer
Yes. Medicare Part B covers 80% of eligible emergency medical transport costs between hospitals when the transfer is deemed medically necessary, after your annual Part B deductible is met. You are responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance. A Medigap plan like Plan G can eliminate that coinsurance entirely.
Coverage Comparison by Plan Type
| Plan Type | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare (Part B) | Covered (80%) | Covers 80% of approved amount after Part B deductible; you pay 20% coinsurance |
| Medicare Advantage | Covered | Must cover emergency transport; prior auth may apply for non-emergency transfers |
| Medigap (Plan G) | Covers Coinsurance | Covers the 20% Part B coinsurance - $0 out of pocket after deductible |
| Medigap (Plan F) | Full Coverage | Covers deductible and coinsurance; only available to pre-2020 Medicare enrollees |
Understanding Your Coverage Options
Original Medicare (Part a & B)
Medicare Part B handles medical services including ambulance transport, while Medicare Part A focuses on inpatient hospital stays. When you are transferred from one hospital to another, the ambulance service itself falls under Part B, even if both facilities are billing Part A for your inpatient care.
Once you meet your 2026 annual Part B deductible ($283), Medicare pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for the transport. You are responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance. There is no cap on that 20% under Original Medicare alone.
Medicare requires that the transport be to the nearest appropriate facility that can provide the care you need. If a closer facility offers the same level of specialty care, Medicare may not cover transport to a more distant hospital, even if you or your family prefer it.
What It Covers
- Emergency inter-hospital transport when medically necessary
- Ground ambulance transport (standard level of care)
- Air ambulance when ground transport would endanger health or terrain/distance makes it impractical
- Transport to the nearest appropriate facility with required capabilities
What It Doesn't Cover
- Transport to a more distant hospital when a closer facility offers equivalent care
- Air ambulance for stable, routine transfers
- Transport to a doctor's office or outpatient clinic (only hospitals, critical access hospitals, or SNFs)
- Transfers not ordered by a physician with proper documentation
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to cover at least the same services as Original Medicare, including emergency ambulance transport. For emergency transfers, network restrictions generally do not apply.
The practical details can differ significantly between plans. Cost-sharing structures, copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles vary by plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans may require you to use preferred ambulance providers within their network for non-emergency transports.
Prior authorization is a common requirement in Medicare Advantage plans for planned or non-emergency inter-hospital transfers. Even if a transfer is medically necessary, your plan may require approval before the transport takes place. Always review your specific plan's Evidence of Coverage document to understand how inter-hospital transfers are handled.
What It Covers
- Emergency inter-hospital transport (same as Original Medicare)
- Non-emergency transport when medically necessary (may require prior auth)
- Out-of-network ambulance services in genuine emergencies
What It Doesn't Cover
- Non-emergency transport without prior authorization (if required by your plan)
- Out-of-network non-emergency transport (may result in higher cost-sharing)
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
For those with Original Medicare, the 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible can add up quickly, especially for air ambulance transports which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. A Medigap plan is designed to pick up exactly those kinds of gaps.
Plan G covers 100% of Part B coinsurance after you pay the annual deductible, making it the most popular comprehensive option for new enrollees in 2026. With Plan G, your out-of-pocket cost for a covered emergency inter-hospital transport after meeting your deductible would be $0.
Plan F covers both the Part B deductible and coinsurance but is only available to beneficiaries who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan N covers Part B coinsurance with some copayments, offering lower premiums at the cost of slightly higher point-of-service costs.
What It Covers
- Plan G: 100% of Part B coinsurance after annual deductible
- Plan F: Part B deductible and coinsurance (pre-2020 enrollees only)
- Plan N: Part B coinsurance (with some copayments)
- Part B excess charges (Plans F and G) when provider doesn't accept Medicare assignment
What It Doesn't Cover
- Medigap does not provide standalone coverage - it supplements Original Medicare
- Services not covered by Original Medicare
2026 Cost Breakdown: Emergency Inter-Hospital Transport
| Scenario | Medicare Pays | You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Ground ambulance (Original Medicare, after deductible) | 80% of approved amount | 20% coinsurance (no cap) |
| Air ambulance (Original Medicare, after deductible) | 80% of approved amount | 20% coinsurance (can exceed $6,000) |
| Ground ambulance (Medigap Plan G, after deductible) | 80% of approved amount | $0 coinsurance |
| Air ambulance (Medigap Plan G, after deductible) | 80% of approved amount | $0 coinsurance |
| Medicare Advantage (emergency) | Varies by plan | Plan copay/coinsurance |
| Non-assignment provider (excess charge) | 80% of approved amount | 20% coinsurance + up to 15% excess charge |
✦ Exceptions and Limitations
Nearest Appropriate Facility Rule
Medicare only covers transport to the nearest facility that can provide the required care. Choosing a more distant hospital - even for personal preference - may result in denied coverage for the extra mileage or the entire transport.
Air Ambulance Restrictions
Air ambulance is only covered when your medical condition is so serious that ground transport would endanger your health, or when terrain or distance makes ground transport impractical. Routine stable transfers between facilities typically do not qualify for air transport coverage.
Provider Assignment Requirement
For the Part B benefit to apply fully, the ambulance provider must accept Medicare assignment. Non-participating providers can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount, which becomes your responsibility on top of the standard 20% coinsurance.
Documentation Requirement
The treating physician must provide a written order explaining why the transfer is necessary and why the current facility cannot meet the patient's needs. Without thorough documentation, Medicare may deny the claim during review.
Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization
Medicare Advantage plans may require prior authorization for non-emergency inter-hospital transfers. Failing to obtain prior authorization in non-emergency situations can result in denied claims or reduced benefits.
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
David Haass
AuthorDavid Haass is the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Elite Insurance Partners and MedicareFAQ.com.
Ashlee Zareczny
ReviewerAshlee Zareczny is a licensed Medicare agent in all 50 states dedicated to educating those eligible for Medicare.