Market Reference Notice: This article covers information from both Korea and the U.S. Each piece of information is marked as 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
As people age, "mobility" becomes more than a matter of convenience — it becomes a lifeline connecting health and social participation. We often meet family caregivers frantically trying to arrange rides after their parent's hospital appointment has been confirmed but no one is available to drive them. Fortunately, both Korea and the U.S. have public systems in place to guarantee seniors' right to mobility. However, the structure and usage conditions of these systems differ significantly between the two countries, so it's important to understand what resources are actually available to you beforehand, regardless of where your parents live.
🇰🇷 Korea Korea's senior transportation support system is divided into two main levels. First is the statutory discount benefit that applies to all seniors aged 65 and older. According to Article 26 of the "Welfare of the Elderly Act" (노인복지법), seniors aged 65 and above can use state or local government transportation facilities free of charge or at discounted rates. The most well-known example is free subway rides for seniors, but as of 2026, this very standard is being questioned. Seoul is pursuing a plan to raise the free subway riding age from the current 65 years to 70 years old, and use the savings to provide partial bus fare support for seniors aged 70 and above. In particular, based on Seoul's analysis, older seniors tend to prefer buses — short-distance transportation — for daily activities such as hospital visits and shopping, which formed the basis for this policy shift.
🇰🇷 Korea Second are special transportation vehicles and voucher taxis for seniors with mobility difficulties. Those aged 65 and older who have been assessed at long-term care rating levels 1 to 3 can use disabled call taxis (special transportation vehicles) if they meet the requirement that they find it difficult to use regular public transportation. These are operated by Transportation Disadvantaged Mobility Support Centers (교통약자이동지원센터) in local governments across the country and are also provided in voucher taxi form. However, supply falls far short of demand, and waiting times for dispatch are often lengthy. Meanwhile, there is a trend of local governments expanding independent benefits, such as Incheon's free city buses for those aged 75 and older, so you must separately confirm the transportation policies of the area where your parents live.
🇺🇸 U.S. In the U.S., regular Medicare (Original Medicare, Part A and B) does not in principle cover transportation for routine hospital visits. Ambulance costs are covered through Part B only in emergency situations, and non-emergency transportation support is applied only in limited cases and requires a physician's certification of medical necessity. This principle remains in place in 2026.
🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are different. As of 2026, approximately 24% of individual Medicare Advantage plans include transportation support as a supplemental benefit. However, for 2026, some plans have announced stricter rules, such as reducing the number of rides or limiting destinations for travel, so if you have been using this benefit, you must review your Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC). If you are a Medicaid recipient, you can separately use the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) program, which is included in Medicaid in nearly all states.
🇺🇸 U.S. Even if Medicare or Medicaid benefits are not sufficient, there are options. Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in communities across the nation can connect you with volunteer driver programs or low-cost transportation services. You can call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or 211 to learn about transportation resources available in your area. If you are a Korean-American senior, some Korean senior centers or Korean associations also operate separate transportation support programs, so it's a good idea to check with your local community first.
The key point for senior transportation support in both countries is that "benefits vary greatly depending on where you live." In Korea, local government discretion is significant, and in the U.S., there are major gaps depending on which plan you have enrolled in and which state you live in. That's why it's important to carefully review, one by one, what programs are available based on your parents' current health insurance, long-term care rating, and area of residence. Even if a system exists, it's useless if you don't apply for it.
Source: Easy-to-Find Living Law Information (easylaw.go.kr, as of April 15, 2026), Seoul Shinmun (June 22, 2026, reporting on Seoul's senior transportation policy), Bravo My Life and ASEM Senior Human Rights Policy Center (2026 Overview of Senior Welfare Policies), BenefitsUSA (Medicare Transportation Coverage 2026), EliteMedFinancials (Medicare Advantage NEMT Benefits 2026), Medicaid.gov (Assurance of Transportation), Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Mobility Support Center Announcement (2026)
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.