Every week, case managers and social workers at Denver-area nonprofits field the same question from clients: "How do I get to my appointment?"
For seniors who no longer drive, patients with disabilities, and dialysis patients who need rides three times a week, transportation is not a minor logistical detail — it is the difference between receiving care and missing it. And the organizations that serve these populations are often the first place patients turn when they need help navigating the system.
This post is for the staff at those organizations: the case managers, discharge planners, social workers, and program coordinators who spend real time helping clients find rides. Here is how non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) works in Denver, which patients qualify, and how a direct referral relationship with a vetted NEMT provider can save your team significant time.
What Is NEMT and Who Qualifies?
Non-emergency medical transportation is a benefit that covers rides to and from medical appointments for patients who have no other means of transportation. In Colorado, NEMT is covered under Medicaid (Health First Colorado) for eligible members — meaning the ride is billed directly to Medicaid, at no cost to the patient.
Qualifying patients typically include:
The key distinction from emergency medical transport (ambulances) is that NEMT is for scheduled, non-urgent medical appointments — primary care visits, specialist appointments, dialysis, chemotherapy, physical therapy, and similar recurring needs.
The Challenge Denver Organizations Face
Most nonprofits, senior centers, and disability advocacy organizations in Denver are not transportation providers. But their clients need transportation, and staff end up spending hours each week:
This is time that could be spent on direct client services. The root problem is that there is no single, authoritative list of vetted NEMT providers in the Denver metro area — so every organization builds its own informal referral list through trial and error.
How a Direct Referral Relationship Changes Things
When your organization has a direct relationship with a NEMT provider, the process becomes significantly simpler. Instead of searching from scratch each time, your staff can:
For dialysis patients in particular, a direct relationship with a NEMT provider who already coordinates with DaVita and Fresenius facilities in Denver can eliminate most of the coordination burden entirely.
What Denver Organizations Should Look for in a NEMT Partner
Not all NEMT providers are equal. When evaluating a provider to refer your clients to, look for:
Medicaid and Medicare billing capability. A provider that bills Medicaid directly means your clients pay nothing out of pocket. Confirm the provider is enrolled with Health First Colorado and can verify eligibility before the ride.
Wheelchair-accessible and stretcher-capable vehicles. Many of your clients will need more than a standard sedan. Confirm the fleet includes MV-1 or equivalent accessible vans and stretcher transport for patients who cannot transfer to a seat.
HIPAA compliance. Any provider handling patient information — even just a name and appointment time — should be HIPAA-compliant. Ask directly.
Dialysis coordination experience. Dialysis patients need rides three times per week, often at early morning hours, and the schedule must coordinate precisely with the treatment center. A provider with existing relationships at Denver-area DaVita and Fresenius facilities will handle this far more smoothly than a general rideshare service.
Service area coverage. Confirm the provider covers the specific neighborhoods and suburbs where your clients live. Denver metro is large — a provider that only covers central Denver may not serve clients in Aurora, Lakewood, or Thornton.
Reliability and communication. Ask for references from other organizations. A provider that consistently shows up on time and communicates proactively when there are delays is worth far more than a lower price.
The Role of Denver's Nonprofit Network in Patient Access
Organizations like the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Area Agency on Aging, the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC), and the Seniors' Resource Center play a critical role in the NEMT ecosystem — not as transportation providers, but as connectors. Their case managers and program staff are often the first point of contact for patients who need help navigating benefits and services.
When these organizations have reliable NEMT referral relationships in place, the entire system works better:
This is why we built the D.I.A. Medical Transportation Resource Hub — a free, curated directory of 40+ Denver-area organizations serving patients who need transportation assistance. It is designed to be a reference tool for case managers, social workers, and caregivers navigating the system.
How to Set Up a Referral Partnership
If your organization regularly refers clients who need NEMT, a formal referral relationship is worth establishing. Here is what that typically looks like:
Step 1: Identify your client population's needs. How many clients per month need NEMT? What types of transport do they need (ambulatory, wheelchair, stretcher)? What are the most common destinations (dialysis centers, hospitals, specialist offices)?
Step 2: Vet the provider. Ask about Medicaid billing, fleet capabilities, HIPAA compliance, and service area. Request references from other organizations.
Step 3: Establish a direct contact. A named contact at the provider — not just a general phone number — makes coordination significantly easier for your staff.
Step 4: Create a simple referral process. Document the information your staff needs to collect from clients before making a referral (name, Medicaid ID, pickup address, appointment details) and share it with the provider.
Step 5: Review periodically. Check in with the provider every few months to address any issues and confirm the relationship is working for your clients.
A Note on Backlink Partnerships
If your organization has a website with a resources or transportation page, a reciprocal link exchange with a vetted NEMT provider is a straightforward way to add value for your clients while building your site's authority on transportation-related searches.
We list 40+ Denver-area organizations on our NEMT Resource Hub, and we actively seek reciprocal partnerships with organizations whose clients need transportation assistance. If your organization is interested in a referral partnership — with or without a link exchange — we'd welcome the conversation.
Getting Started
DENa Medical Transportation serves the Denver metro area with wheelchair-accessible vans, stretcher transport, ambulatory rides, and airport medical transfers. We bill Medicaid and Medicare directly and coordinate with dialysis centers across the metro.
If your organization refers clients who need NEMT, we'd like to be your go-to provider. Reach out through our partnership page or call us directly at 720-210-0058 to discuss how a referral relationship would work for your team.
No cost, no obligation — just a shared commitment to making sure Denver patients get to their appointments.