If you or someone you love has a medical condition requiring regular doctor visits or hospital visits, then you know how important it is to get there on time. It can be very frustrating if you don’t have reliable transportation and miss appointments due to a lack of transportation access.
This is where non-emergency hospital transportation services come in handy.
Non-emergency medical transport services provide safe and reliable transportation for patients who need medical attention but do not qualify for emergency medical services (EMS). Let’s look at some reasons why you might want this type of service:
What Is Non-Emergency Hospital Transport?
It’s important to note that non-emergency hospital transport is not an emergency service. The provider will not be able to get you to your appointment if you’re suffering from a life-threatening condition or injury or in any other situation where primary medical care can’t be provided at the scene.
Because the services are much more limited than traditional emergency medical transportation, it’s also not a good idea to call a non-emergency transport service instead of 911 if you need immediate medical attention.
Let’s say, however, that your doctor has recommended a follow-up appointment at another location after his or her office hours have ended. In this case, calling for an ambulance may cost more than taking an Uber and be unnecessary when all you need is someone who can drive safely and legally get you there and back again without being charged for an overpriced trip by ambulance company fees.
Non-emergency hospital transport is now a mandatory service the state government should offer, besides the private providers. The US government has included this benefit in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
The Increasing Need for Medical Transportation
The senior population in the USA is growing. According to a Reuters article, around 54 million US population is 65 years or older. As the population ages and more people live with chronic health conditions, the need for medical transportation is growing. More people are mobile than ever before, but they still need to get to their medical appointments.
In addition to these factors, many other developments have contributed to an increase in demand for non-emergency hospital transport services. For example:
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The Affordable Care Act has made it easier for patients who qualify for Medicaid or Medicare coverage to receive transportation assistance. This increases demand by expanding access among those who may not have previously been able to afford such an expense.
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People with mobility issues can now more easily pay for non-emergency ambulance services thanks to new legislation that requires insurance companies and Medicare Part B reimbursements from doctor’s offices. As a result, fewer barriers prevent those who would otherwise be unable to afford these services from getting them when they need them most.
While there is an increased need for medical transportation, only a handful uses non-emergency hospital transportation services. The Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP shows that of 12.3 million people eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, only 10% use non-emergency hospital transport.
Why You Need Hospital Transportation Service
You may be wondering why you need to use a non-emergency ambulance service, and here are three reasons:
You or Your Loved One Is Missing Medical Appointments
Are you or your loved one missing medical appointments? If so, it’s likely due to a lack of transportation. A recent analysis of 26 studies published on the NCBI website shows the importance of travel. The analysis found that the mean rate of missed appointments is 15.2%. Of many reasons, transportation difficulties were cited to be one of the most common problems and reasons for missed medical appointments.
Missing appointments can make it more difficult to receive the care and treatment necessary for optimal health. Hospital transport services are ideal for those who need help getting around when traveling outside of their home city or town. They provide non-emergency medical transportation between two different cities or states.
Many offering this type of service have arrangements with local hospitals to coordinate getting patients there safely while still making sure they’re comfortable during the trip and being treated once they reach their destination.
You Need Transportation Service But Do Not Qualify for Emergency Medical Transportation
If you have a non-emergency transportation need but do not qualify for emergency medical transportation services, you may obtain non-emergency hospital transportation services through your state’s Medicaid program. In most states, this service is only available to those who live in rural areas or have a disability.
Suppose you do not qualify for an emergency transport service or need assistance getting home from the hospital after a procedure or treatment has been completed. In that case, the best place to start looking for help is with your primary care physician or health insurance provider.
Both can point you in the direction of local non-emergency transport providers who can assist with picking up and dropping off patients at their medical appointments and other needs related to receiving care outside their home environment.
Top Benefits of Non-Emergency Hospital Transportation
Here are the top benefits of non-emergency hospital transportation:
Accessibility and Convenience
These types of services are also convenient and accessible. You can schedule a ride in advance, book a ride at any time of day or night, and even book the transport for someone else if you cannot do it yourself.
For example, let’s say you have an elderly parent who lives with you and requires medical treatment at an inconvenient time for your family. In this case, booking a non-emergency hospital transport service is ideal because they can provide transportation and help get your loved one where they need to go without interfering with your busy schedule or causing undue stress on them.
Greater Safety
There are many reasons why medical transport is safer than driving yourself. In addition to the obvious one that you don’t have to worry about getting injured or hurting someone else while transporting, the vehicles we use are equipped with the latest safety features.
You’ll also be riding in a vehicle that’s been thoroughly inspected and maintained by our technicians and engineers, who are constantly researching new ways to improve our fleet’s performance.
Our drivers undergo extensive training in emergency medical situations, including responding appropriately when faced with an unexpected event during your ride. Suppose you’re being moved from one hospital facility to another and need additional support because of your condition. In that case, our team is available 24/7 for non-emergency transportation services in any region throughout California.
Affordability
It’s an important question, especially since non-emergency hospital transportation services can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. To keep costs down, it’s essential to take the time to find a reputable service provider and negotiate your best price.
If you need help finding a reputable service provider, here are some tips:
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Talk with friends and family members who have used similar services. They may be able to recommend someone they’ve previously worked with who they trust and respect.
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Search online for reviews on non-emergency hospital transportation providers in your area and any complaints against them. This will give you some insight into their reputation among their past customers. You’ll also be able to see if anyone else has had issues with this company before deciding which one is right for you.
Conclusion
Non-emergency hospital transportation is a necessity for many people. It’s important to know the benefits of non-emergency transport to make an informed decision about whether or not this service is right for you.
