Taxis or public transportation are often not viable options for people who have recently undergone medical procedures or who are disabled. Non-emergency medical transportation is always an option for those in need. It’s also not just for the elderly. Clients of all ages utilize the service for a number of reasons.
Don’t let yourself or a loved one miss a doctor’s appointment or be unnecessarily confined at home. With non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), a trained medical professional picks up the client, assists them (from bedside if necessary) outside to the ambulance, car, shuttle, or van, and ensures safe and timely passage to and from a doctor’s appointment or other destination.
Common reasons for non-emergency medical transportation include:
- Traveling to and from outpatient surgery
- Post-surgery follow-up doctor’s appointments
- Getting to physician check-ups without the help of family or friends
- Transportation for errands or other routine tasks
- Much more
Types of vehicles used for non-emergency medical transportation include:
- Fully equipped ambulances (traveling without deploying lights and sirens)
- Wheelchair Vans
- Medical Cars (sedans)
- Shuttle buses (for large groups)
Frequently asked questions about non-emergency medical transportation:
Is this service covered by private insurance?
By law, all insurance carriers must pay for emergency ambulance services, however, not all cover non-emergency transportation. Most private insurance plans will cover non-emergency ambulance transportation if the benefit exists in the subscriber's plan. Your health care provider can assist in providing prior authorization if necessary.
Is this service covered by Medicare?
According to Medicare.gov, "In some cases, you may be able to get limited, medically necessary non-emergency medical transportation if all of these apply:"
- Such transportation is needed to obtain treatment or diagnose your health condition.
- The use of any other transportation method could endanger your health.
- You have a written order from your doctor stating that ambulance transportation is necessary due to your medical condition.
Unfortunately, Medicare does NOT provision for transportation to and from follow-up doctor’s appointments (even when it has been deemed medically necessary), so many patients and their families choose to pay privately.
How is cost calculated?
When paying privately, the cost of non emergency medical transportation will typically be calculated as follows: [Flat pickup rate] + [per mile rate] + [additional charge for oxygen or an extra technician riding along]. Want to know more about the costs associated, read our post on the factors that affect private pay medical transportation. To receive a detailed quote on your specific trip, submit our online scheduling form or give us a call at (908) 298 9500.
You could have the best team of physicians in the world treating you, but it won’t matter unless you can get to the appointment successfully. Also, if you miss an appointment, you’ll miss a key opportunity to update your doctor on your health, or worse, you may have to call 911 if your condition deteriorates.
On Time Transport offers both wheelchair van and medical car services. We’ll make sure that you never miss a key appointment and that you are comfortable throughout your trip.
