As traditional healthcare services face their own challenges, NEMT offers a solution to a variety of problems that healthcare services and patients face. Your services ensure that patients are not missing appointments, care is not delayed, and emergency rooms are somewhat relieved.
The Benefits of NEMT Transportation Providers
There are a number of benefits you offer as an NEMT professional:
- Reducing emergency room visits
- Lowering patient’s medical bills
- Increasing accessibility for patients of all ages
By reducing emergency room visits, all patients can get seen faster, no matter where they are. Emergency rooms are often suffering from the number of patients that they receive, which leads to long wait times and occasional lack of care. This can sometimes be due to patients walking out from waiting too long. NEMT has the potential to help alleviate this.
NEMT services are also cost-effective for both healthcare providers and those seeking healthcare. Getting in an ambulance or going to the emergency room is expensive, and often, cases can be treated outside of an emergency setting. These services allow patients to receive the care they need, in the setting that is right for them and save on their medical bills in the process.
Finally, NEMT coverage under Medicaid and Medicare is expanding, making care options more accessible and patient-friendly. For those who do not have access to a vehicle, this would be a viable solution.
What Studies Say About Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
Software Advice conducted a survey with patients in waiting rooms and found that 97% of people are unhappy with wait times. That same study found that 80% of patients would feel less frustrated if they knew how long the waiting time was, while 41% said they would be willing to see a different doctor from the practice to reduce wait times.
A similar survey showed that 30% of patients end up walking out of the waiting room altogether, and 20% even ended up changing their doctor because of wait times. As many people struggle to find family doctors, they flock to emergency rooms to get some assistance, whether their case is an emergency or not. This is what leads to a backlog of unhappy patients who are waiting for hours on end.
NEMT has the potential to seriously alleviate most of those concerns. The National Library of Medicine published a study that confirmed that these services provide shorter wait times and lower costs. They concluded that the systems were necessary for healthcare to provide quality service and keep emergency rooms for high-risk patients. The study also concluded that it helps patients in rural settings or those who face transportation barriers.
Another study by the Medical Transportation Access Coalition (MTAC) also confirmed that NEMT services help millions in America maintain their health and save on their bills. They learned that 58% of patients wouldn’t be able to keep up with their medical appointments without NEMT, and 10% would be at risk of death without it.
Ways We Can Continue to Be Part of the Solution
While MTAC’s and The National Library of Medicine’s findings demonstrate that our industry is already naturally providing solutions, we know there are ways we can do more.
If you’re looking for ways to be of greater use to local ERs, going straight to the source can be a great starting point. They may be able to share data on the kinds of visits they’re getting and if any of them are the types of crises that could have been avoided with proper preventative care
Implementing NEMT software can have several advantages. It allows you to set a schedule that suits both you and your patients, increase efficiency, and deliver the best possible care. Participants and members can be at ease knowing that they can book and manage the services they require while receiving the care they need in the right setting.
If you have any questions or concerns about NEMT services or want to share your own findings, contact Momentm today.
