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Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is one of the pillars of the healthcare industry. These services allow patients to reach their scheduled appointments and checkups. NEMT providers offer transportation services while giving their passengers safe and comfortable rides. They use specialized medical equipment and modified vehicles to achieve this.

The holy grail of non-emergency transportation is a reliable fleet of affordable vehicles with low fuel consumption and minimal maintenance requirements. The most popular NEMT vans like Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Ford Transit, and Chevrolet Savanna do have an outstanding record complying with these criteria, but the time has come for them to yield to the new generation of vehicles.

Medical couriers and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) providers are critical to the healthcare industry.  What’s the difference between a medical courier vs NEMT?

Some prescribed pediatric extended care centers (PPECCs) cooperate with NEMT providers to ensure non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for children. They take care of picking up the kids from home or school and bringing them home at the end of the day.  NEMTs are specially equipped and wheelchair-accessible to ensure that children are safe and comfortable. NEMT drivers are also First Aid, CPR, and PASS-certified. Children will typically be accompanied by a nurse or CNA (certified nurse’s assistant) with the appropriate caregiver training.

Once you make a decision to start the non-emergency medical transportation business, there will be multiple decisions to make. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to go through the most important step at the inception of your business - buying an NEMT vehicle. We have condensed this process into a clear instruction manual with tips about government guidelines and requirements, answers on how to match your ambitions with the needs of your business, and also provided a list of vehicles that you should consider.

On August 1, 2023, The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) made a noteworthy decision in favor of Medicaid-eligible individuals. They entered into a contract with MAS, transitioning the Syracuse-based corporation as the central transportation manager for each of the ten distinct regions of New York State. As of 2024, even Managed Care, MLTC, and Medicaid Advantage Plus members are required to rely on private contractors (MAS) for transportation for medical care.

As an owner or manager of a non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) company, you’ve probably wondered whether to use a stretcher vs gurney. Stretchers and gurneys are extremely useful. After all, they allow passengers in need of medical care to get on and off your vehicles quickly, especially if they face mobility challenges. Since they technically serve the same purpose but to a different extent, which one should you choose?

Self-referral in non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) is when passengers or their caregivers directly make arrangements for your transportation services. This is in contrast to cases where healthcare facilities and other similar organizations contact your NEMT company on behalf of their patients. Self-referrals offer several benefits to your customers and your company. They are a valuable business opportunity. Many passengers who book directly tend to require frequent NEMT services. Hence, self-referral in NEMT has the potential to become a significant market and a steady revenue source for your company.

The public medical transportation system can barely keep up with the ever-growing number of medical emergencies, let alone meet the demand for non-urgent care. As usual, entrepreneurs are expected to step up to the challenge, which opens up a wealth of business opportunities. If you want to help out your community and the healthcare industry as a whole, now is a perfect time to join the growing NEMT sector. According to the latest report to Congress by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), your potential client base would include 4 to 5 million customers and it will only keep growing.

Across the US, transportation barriers constitute a significant hurdle for patients who need access to healthcare. As many as 3.6 million Americans miss or delay non-emergency medical care every year because they lack transportation options. This is where non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services can step in. NEMT providers bridge the gap between doctors and their patients who lack their own vehicles or means of conveyance.

Patient welfare is paramount in the non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) industry. NEMT providers must do everything possible to ensure clients are comfortable during their rides to and from their doctors’ appointments. However, NEMT providers have many other aspects of running the business that demand their attention, which may cause them to split focus and become less efficient.

Even though small-town living may appear idyllic, rural residents encounter various obstacles that their city counterparts do not. A serious example is gaining access to medical care. One of the disadvantages of residing in remote regions of the United States is the challenge of obtaining high-quality healthcare. When fewer local institutions are easily accessible, traveling to urban centers for appointments and consultations becomes necessary.