What on earth is a non-emergency medical transportation service? Well, they're often referred to as NEMT, and in the narrowest interpretations, they are a service that offers rides to and from your non-emergency medical services like appointments, checkups, or to pick up prescriptions. They're intended to help people who don't have reliable transportation and access to public transport, mostly. They're also useful if, for example, you are alone and going to have a procedure that you can recover from at home but shouldn't be driving home.

Some NEMT services are run by, for example, your state's department of human services or health department. These can have broader services than just providing a van and driver, such as helping you get money for gas or getting you free rides on the public transportation that's available, as well as being able to branch into providing plane tickets for necessary procedures. Not always, but as they are part of a state-run health service they can have a broader application of how the services can be applied. (This is not to be confused with services intended to help disabled people do their normal errands, which many cities offer as part of their public transportation.)

Others are owned privately. Most states require special licensing for such services, and many of the privately-owned NEMTs will accept a broad range of insurance. While they do not have the same kind of broad application, they're accessible to a larger swathe of people, as often state-run NEMTs are strictly for those who are on the state's Medicaid or disability rolls. Even if you do have to pay, the price is often fairly reasonable.

NEMTs are generally wheelchair accessible, but whether or not the driver has any medical training will likely vary depending on state laws. They're intended to drive, not be medical personnel.

If you are wanting to make use of one, you should first check your insurance coverage. Whether it's state-run or private, you'll want to know whether or not it extends to covering NEMT services. Then, of course, you'll want to check and see what's locally available and what kind of rates they charge.

If you are wanting to start one, you first need to read up on the rules and regulations regarding NEMTs at the state as well as the local level. This can help you a lot in deciding your business model as well as what kind of vehicle you need to obtain.

For more information, contact a local non-emergency medical transportation service.