Medical Travel Financial Assistance — Patient Travel Grants & Aid Programs

IRS Publication 502 allows you to deduct medical travel expenses — including lodging — when you travel away from home primarily for medical care. This is one of the most underused tax benefits available to patients traveling for treatment.

Requirements

• • You must itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040) — the standard deduction does not qualify
• • Travel must be primarily for medical care, not tourism or personal reasons
• • The lodging must not be lavish or extravagant
• • There must be no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation
• • Keep all receipts. Hotel folios, Airbnb confirmations, and payment records are essential documentation

The American Cancer Society offers several programs specifically designed to reduce the financial burden of cancer treatment travel. These are available to cancer patients nationwide.

If the patient has Texas Medicaid, start with Nonemergency Medical Transportation (NEMT). Medicaid provides free transportation for Texas Health Steps patients and other eligible Medicaid clients who have no other way to get to a covered appointment. NEMT covers rides from contracted providers, mass transit fare, ground and airline transportation, advanced funds, and funds for eligible clients' meals and lodging. To request it, clients in a Medicaid managed care plan call their health plan; clients not in managed care call the Medical Transportation Program at 1-877-633-8747 (1-877-MED-TRIP), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central. Schedule rides at least two days before an existing appointment with an enrolled Texas Medicaid provider; children 17 and younger must travel with a parent, guardian or another approved adult, though 15- to 17-year-olds may ride alone with written permission (Texas Health Steps, Texas HHSC, checked October 2026).

Most major hospitals have financial counselors and charity care programs — but you usually have to ask. These programs are not always prominently advertised, and many patients never learn about them until they are already overwhelmed with bills.

At MD Anderson Cancer Center, the social work department can connect patients with multiple lodging and financial aid programs. Similar resources exist at Houston Methodist, UT Southwestern, Baylor, and every major treatment center in Texas.

Ask your treatment center about:

• ✓ Patient assistance funds — direct financial aid for treatment-related expenses
• ✓ Lodging subsidies — partnerships with nearby hotels offering reduced rates for patients
• ✓ Travel reimbursement — some hospitals reimburse mileage, gas, or airfare for out-of-town patients
• ✓ Meal vouchers — cafeteria vouchers or partnerships with local restaurants

Beyond hospital-specific programs and the ACS, there are several national nonprofits that provide financial assistance for medical expenses, including lodging and travel costs.

If you are paying for a hotel or extended-stay accommodation in Texas, you may qualify for a hotel occupancy tax exemption on stays of 30 consecutive days or longer. The combined state and local hotel tax this exempts you from is 6% state tax plus a city/county rate that varies by location — 17% total in Houston and Austin, about 15% in Dallas, and about 16.75% in San Antonio.

This is not a medical-specific program — it applies to anyone staying 30+ days — but it is extremely valuable for medical patients on extended treatment schedules. On a $100/night hotel room, with written notice at check-in, that is $17 a night at Houston's 17%, about $510 over 30 nights; without notice the first 30 nights stay taxed (Comptroller Publication 96-224).

When formal programs are not enough — or while you wait for applications to process — crowdfunding and community support can fill the gap. Medical campaigns are among the most successful categories on platforms like GoFundMe.

GoFundMe medical campaigns

GoFundMe is the most widely used platform for medical fundraising. In the US there is no platform fee to start or run a campaign, but a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 comes out of each donation to cover payment processing, and donors see an optional tip prompt. Budget for that when you set a goal. Be specific about what the funds will cover — "lodging near MD Anderson during 6 weeks of radiation therapy" is more compelling than a vague ask.

Church and community support

If you are part of a church, synagogue, mosque, or other faith community, reach out to your congregation's care team or pastor. Many faith communities have benevolence funds specifically for members facing medical crises. Even if your own congregation is small, they may connect you with larger networks. Community groups, civic organizations (Rotary, Lions Club, Elks), and local foundations are also worth contacting.

Employer assistance programs

Many employers — especially larger companies — offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that include emergency financial support or referrals. Some companies have hardship funds for employees facing medical crises. Check with your HR department. Even if your employer does not have a formal program, coworkers often organize fundraisers or PTO donation pools.

Practical tips for starting a fundraiser

• • Be specific and honest about your diagnosis, treatment plan, and what the funds will cover
• • Share your story — include a photo and explain why you need to travel for treatment
• • Set a realistic goal — calculate actual costs (lodging x nights + travel + meals) rather than guessing
• • Post regular updates — donors want to know how their contribution is helping
• • Ask someone to manage it for you — if you are in treatment, the last thing you need is to run a campaign. A friend or family member can handle updates and sharing