Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services
Non-emergency medical transportation providers offer a broad range of services. In addition to getting patients to appointments, NEMT offers improved access to healthcare for individuals living in rural areas where public transportation is unavailable or difficult to come by.
Depending on the NEMT program, an individual may ride share with others going to the same or a nearby facility. This service helps further reduce costs and can provide a great opportunity to spend time with others, which is incredibly important for people who don't socialize much in their daily lives.
However, NEMT does much more than simply ensure members make it to their healthcare appointments. It acts to improve mental and physical health outcomes that are seemingly unrelated to a patient's diagnosis. The National Institute of Mental Health states, "Chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes may make you more likely to have or develop a mental health condition."
People who have chronic health conditions often need to adapt to living an unfamiliar lifestyle. They may feel uncertain about the future, their favorite hobbies may be difficult or impossible to do, and they might feel upset about needing to rely on assistance from others for things they could once do themselves.
NEMT providers take away much of the stress associated with chronic illness and disease. Patients can enjoy a carefree process that requires nothing of them aside from getting in and out of a vehicle. They don't need to worry about family members or friends disrupting their schedules to provide transportation or be concerned that public transportation will prevent them from making it to appointments on time.
Additionally, an individual who needs a ride from NEMT will be assigned a vehicle that has everything they need to be comfortable. This might mean someone to assist them with sitting and standing, wheelchair access, stretchers for people who are bed-bound, and ample room for health equipment, like oxygen tanks.