A TAR is a Treatment Authorization Request. California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) uses TARs when you want to request something that requires authorization.

Insurances usually cover transport by ambulance (ground, air or water) when it is an emergency. If it is not an emergency, you usually have to obtain an authorization in advance (and use the TAR form if that is what the insurance company requires). GENERALLY, authorization would be granted if the patient was not able to be transported by car or other "non-emergency" means. One example might be if the patient was in a full body cast and was not able to sit up in a car.

"Non-emergency transport" is any means of transportation (although usually an ambulance) when it is used for a non-emergency situation.

Sharon