Washington State Department of Social and Health

Service Information

Services Provided:

Food, cash, and medical assistance, Long-term care services, Behavioral health support, Developmental disabilities services, Vocational rehabilitation, and more. 

Service Area:

Washington State

Contact:

About:

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) provides a wide range of social, health, and safety programs to support individuals and families across Washington. DSHS helps residents access food, cash, and medical assistance, vocational rehabilitation, long-term care, behavioral health treatment, and developmental disabilities services. Through community partnerships and person-centered support, DSHS works to empower people to thrive and live independently in their communities.

How Medstar Supports Washington State DSHS

Medstar partners with DSHS and transportation brokers to ensure eligible clients can access the care and services they need, including:

  • Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) for DSHS Medicaid clients, including trips to primary care, behavioral health, and specialty appointments.

  • Wheelchair-accessible vehicles and trained drivers to assist clients with mobility devices, cognitive disabilities, or other support needs.

  • Coordination with regional transportation brokers like HopeLink and People for People to schedule rides for qualified DSHS members.

  • Transportation for DSHS-covered services such as substance use disorder treatment, mental health therapy, or long-term care assessments.

  • Service coverage across Washington State, including rural and underserved areas where transportation may be a barrier to care.

FAQs:

Q: Does Medstar provide transportation for DSHS Medicaid clients?

Yes. Medstar is a transportation provider for Medicaid-eligible rides authorized through state-contracted brokers such as Hopelink and People for People.

Q: How do I schedule a Medicaid ride with Medstar?

You must contact your regional Medicaid transportation broker. They determine eligibility and assign a provider like Medstar based on availability and location.

Q: Can I choose Medstar as my transportation provider?

Transportation is assigned by the broker, not by personal request. However, Medstar is often selected due to our availability and service reliability in many Washington regions.