Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
A Mileage Reimbursement Program for transportation of the disadvantaged in our community.

Program Overview

The Eastern Sierra Transit Authority offers Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) mileage reimbursement for the transportation of the disadvantaged in our community. Our goal is to enhance transit services for local residents needing access to healthcare. Eligibility factors include physical or mental disabilities, income status, age, or additional factors that prevent transportation access/affordability.

Participants must be a resident of Inyo or Mono County. Reimbursement is contingent on availability of grant funding.

Program Eligibility

In all cases, the total circumstance of each applicant will be considered. A determination of eligibility will be decided with the final and overriding intent being the necessity of transportation to access healthcare.

The design of the Program is very simple. An NEMT applicant will be approved if he/she meets the following eligibility requirements:   

•        Must be a resident of Inyo or Mono County.

•        Must be receiving medical care from a medical facility.

•        Cannot make the trip because of financial challenges.

•        The applicant is not able to drive him/herself. Volunteer Drivers

Volunteer Drivers

Eastern Sierra Transit Authority does not recruit or maintain volunteer drivers or vehicles. Rider’s must recruit their own volunteer driver. Passengers may recruit more than one volunteer driver. Volunteer Drivers are required to sign a release from liability. Driver must agree to indemnify and hold harmless Eastern Sierra Transit Authority.

It is the Volunteer Driver’s responsibility to have a valid California’s Driver License, to carry the minimum motor vehicle insurance required by the State of California, and to abide by all laws and regulations.

Reimbursement payments are mailed to riders. Riders are responsible for distributing payments to their volunteer driver. Eastern Sierra Transit will only reimburse one passenger per trip. If more than one passenger is transported on the same trip, only one of the passengers will be reimbursed.

Scheduling Trips

All trips are to be arranged between the passenger and the volunteer driver during mutually convenient times. 

Mileage Reimbursement

The rate of reimbursement is currently $.21 per mile (2023 IRS Mileage Rate for medical). To be eligible for reimbursement, each one-way trip must begin or end in Inyo or Mono County. Again, reimbursement payments are mailed to riders for distribution to their volunteer driver.   Standard mileage allowances permitted: 

•        300 miles per one-way trip

•        600 miles per round trip

Maximum and minimum monthly reimbursements for existing funding sources:

•        Maximum monthly reimbursement $600.00

•        Minimum reimbursement $10.00

 Forms Are Available Below: