Senior Programs

Transportation

Schedule a Ride
Become a Volunteer Driver

Serving Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Steele, Waseca & Winona Counties

Rolling Hills Volunteer Drivers provides coordinated, community-based transportation for individuals age 60 and over, as well as eligible clients enrolled in Medical Assistance, Blue Plus, Medica, South Country Health Alliance, and UCare. Transportation is primarily provided for medical and dental appointments, with health care–related trips receiving priority due to increased demand and a limited number of volunteer drivers.

We recommend providing at least 48-hour advance notice for all ride requests. While every effort is made to accommodate each request, ride availability depends on volunteer capacity. All rides are confirmed no later than 3:00 p.m. the business day prior to the scheduled trip. If a ride cannot be arranged, the client will be notified by that time.

Donation-Based Rides (Age 60+)

Participants receive a monthly statement requesting a voluntary, income-based donation to help offset the cost of transportation services.

Blue Plus, UCare, South Country & Medica Clients

Medica, South Country Health Alliance, Blue Plus, and UCare members must contact the customer service number on the back of their insurance card to obtain ride authorization. Once approved, the health plan forwards the trip information to Rolling Hills Volunteer Drivers for scheduling and coordination.

If you reach our answering service, please leave a detailed message on the dispatcher’s voicemail, and your call will be returned promptly.

Volunteers are needed for this vital service

Volunteer drivers are essential to sustaining this vital community service. Drivers use their personal vehicles to transport neighbors to needed medical care and other approved destinations.

Volunteer Qualifications:

  • Valid driver’s license
  • Proof of insurance
  • Good driving record
  • Age 21 or older

Volunteers may choose to provide local trips within their community or longer-distance trips to regional destinations such as Rochester, La Crosse, Faribault, Minneapolis, Mankato, Austin, Albert Lea, or the greater Twin Cities metro area, based on personal preference and availability.

Benefits of Volunteering:

  • Personal satisfaction from serving your community
  • Mileage reimbursement at the current federal IRS rate when a passenger is in the vehicle (Medical Assistance empty-mile reimbursement may vary by county)
  • Eligible parking and meal expense reimbursement
  • Training opportunities
  • Flexible scheduling — set your own availability and preferred destinations

Rolling Hills Volunteer Drivers strengthens communities by connecting people to essential care. Contact us to request a ride or to learn more about becoming a volunteer driver.

Listen to the audio below to learn more!

FAQs

Just call 1-800-528-7622 and speak with a dispatcher to get enrolled and to see if you qualify.

We will transport you to any appointment that has been approved by the county, or through your insurance.

We will do our best to transport you to all of your medical appointments.

Rolling Hills Volunteer Drivers operates as a volunteer-based service, with drivers utilizing their personal vehicles. As such, these vehicles are not equipped to transport passengers who must remain seated in a wheelchair during transport.

Passengers who are able to safely transfer from their wheelchair into a standard vehicle seat, with minimal or no assistance, may be transported through with the Rolling Hills Volunteer Drivers.

For individuals who are unable to transfer, we recommend scheduling service through Rolling Hills Transit or Rolling Hills Mobility. Both services operate fully wheelchair-accessible vehicles designed to safely accommodate passengers who remain in their mobility devices during transport.

All transportation services are scheduled by calling 800-528-7622. Our staff will assist you in determining the most appropriate transportation option and will coordinate your ride accordingly.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering to give rides! Please call 1-800-528-7622 or email vdpdispatch@semcac.org.

YES you do! You decide which days and times you would like to drive. You also decide where you are able to drive to and where you are not comfortable going/driving. We work with your schedule.

You are reimbursed for your mileage and for parking fees. You may also get reimbursed for meals if they fall within the guidelines. We hold a recognition event for all volunteer drivers at the end of the year. We celebrate your hard work and dedication throughout the year.