How to apply for Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP)

Who it's for

MATP gives free rides to medical appointments for Pennsylvania residents who have Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and no other way to get there. You can use it for any care Medicaid pays for — a doctor, dentist, psychologist, psychiatrist, drug and alcohol treatment, or any other Medicaid provider. You can also use it to pick up a prescription at a pharmacy, to go to a hospital or other place for testing, or to a medical equipment supplier. Call your county MATP office and have your ACCESS card number ready. Tell them if you need a wheelchair or walker, an individual ride, or an escort. Rides can start while your application is still being processed, but the county office must receive your signed form within 30 days of your eligibility being verified. Once you are registered it lasts as long as you have Medicaid.

What you'll need

• ACCESS card number
• Signed MATP application form (county office must receive it within 30 days of eligibility verification)
• Details of the medical appointment and any accommodation needed (wheelchair, walker, individual ride, escort)

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm you have active Medical Assistance (Medicaid) in Pennsylvania and no other way to get to your medical appointments — both are required to use MATP.
2. Locate your ACCESS card and have the card number ready before you contact your county MATP office.
3. Think about any special needs you have for your ride — for example, whether you use a wheelchair or walker, need an individual ride, or need an escort to come with you.
4. Apply online through the official Pennsylvania MATP application. You can also call your county MATP office directly to start the process.
5. Complete and sign the MATP application form. The county office must receive your signed form within 30 days of your eligibility being verified, so return it promptly.
6. When scheduling a ride, be ready to share the details of your medical appointment — the date, time, location, and provider — along with any accommodation needs.

What to expect: After you contact your county MATP office and begin the application process, rides can start even while your application is still being processed — as long as the county office receives your signed form within 30 days of your eligibility being verified. Once you are registered, your MATP enrollment lasts as long as you have Medical Assistance, so there is no renewal required. Keep in mind that rides are free, but you must have an unmet transportation need, and the county MATP office decides whether any limits apply to how far you can travel to an appointment depending on your situation and the providers you see. Processing times vary, so contact your county MATP office if you have questions about your application status.

Renewals

none