How much does non emergency medical transport cost

Non-emergency medical transportation is vital for seniors, the disabled, and other disadvantaged citizens. Scientists predict a substantial increase among these categories of the population, and it, in turn, will impact the need for both emergency and non-emergency providers. That’s why creating an NEMT business is a perfect investment! Whether or not the economy is increasing, patients must get to and from their healthcare appointments, making NEMT business recession-proof. The need for this kind of service won’t go anywhere. Demand and opportunity will only increase with time.

In this post, we’ll provide you with targeted information on the NEMT profit margin. Read on to find new opportunities!   

What is NEMT?

NEMT stands for non-emergency medical transportation. It’s an industry focused on helping people with special needs to get to and from hospital and nursing facilities, ambulatory and general medical appointments, pharmacies, rehabs, physical therapies, dialysis, critical treatment centers, and more. NEMT vehicles allow easy wheelchair or stretcher access, and they must have a lifting ramp. Besides, drivers have to be qualified and certified to assist their passengers effectively. 

Who can be an NEMT passenger? Anyone who doesn’t have access to public transportation/car, or can’t drive due to physical or mental conditions (e.g., disabled students traveling to and from school, those who live in a rural area and can’t get to and from healthcare appointments, etc.).      

Furthermore, Medicaid insurance plans cover NEMT services for seniors, older adults living in rural areas, those with temporary or permanent disabilities, and other low-income citizens. 

NEMT drivers pick up passengers, provide assistance during a trip, and get them back home if necessary. None of the public transportation can provide such a level of hands-on service like NEMT companies. That’s why they are invaluable in modern society.

Becoming an NEMT provider is not that difficult. Although regulations vary from state to state, you can check requirements in the local Health Care Services Department and the Department of Driver Services. Also, you’ll have to ensure that drivers are well-trained and certified to serve individuals with disabilities, know various assistance techniques and what to do in emergency situations. Make sure you arrange legal documentation properly. To get business up and running, you have to deal with various certificates, NEMT licenses, and permits.

NEMT Rates

Is an NEMT business profitable? What is the average profit margin for NEMT business per month? These are the most common questions for those who are going to open the NEMT company. Below, you’ll find answers to these questions and more.

Speaking about NEMT rates, we should understand that numerous factors influence the rates of reimbursements. Here are some of these factors:

  • A type of patient
  • A location and mode of transport
  • Private pay vs. Medicaid
  • Required assistance
  • Time of day
  • Mileage

Besides, there are different forms of reimbursements: service agreements, workers’ compensation, contracted pay, private pay, disability insurance, Medicaid, and Veterans Administration.  

All in all, NEMT company owners can expect to earn between 40.000$ and 60.000$ annually, this is the average profit margin for NEMT business per year.  

Although there aren’t standard NEMT rates set up across the U.S. and costs on the NEMT services vary from provider to provider, we’ve created a chart where you can see the average level of prices. This chart is aimed to help you develop a general idea on how to set rates for your NEMT service. 

Kind of chargeWeekday feeOff-hours/weekends feeHoliday feeBase fee – ambulatory patient25$ – 30$30$ – 40$35$ – 45$Base fee – wheelchair 45$ – 50$75$ – 90$85$ – 100$Base fee – gurneys100$ – 200$125$ – 225$150$ – 250$Additional fee for mileage3$ – 5$ per mile5$ – 7$ per mile5$ – 10$ per mileWait-time fee per 30 min.15$ – 30$15$ – 30$15$ – 30$Additional attendant fee5$ – 10$5$- 10$5$ – 10$

You can set your own, unique services and prices for them. However, we do encourage you to monitor the local NEMT providers for their quotes so that you offer reasonable prices for your clients.

How You Can Increase Your Nemt Business Profitability 

Usually, the longer NEMT owners are in business, the more they earn. That’s because they get better known in their communities and have lots of regular customers. 

However, there are several ways to increase NEMT business profitability right from the start. 

  • The location of the company and the region of your performance greatly influence the prices. For instance, you’ll earn more if you work in Washington D.C., California, or New York since living expenses are higher in these areas. It means that you can charge more for your services in those regions. Higher prices will boost your profit.   
  • Promote your business more to hospitals, nursing care, doctors’ offices, lab facilities, retirement communities, adult daycare, etc. Leave your marketing materials there and try to set long-lasting relationships with these organizations. That’s how you’ll be able to acquire new clients, hence, fatten your profit. 
  • Design an intuitive, user-friendly website where you’ll tell about your company, its services, and how passengers will benefit if they choose it. Discuss all information about the types of transportation you provide and tell about your special services. Remember, that most people look for NEMT services online, so a well thought out  website is a must-have for you. 
  • Last but not least, you have to use the right NEMT software. If you do all operations manually, it’ll lead to numerous human errors which cost a lot of money for the company. Besides, it’ll badly affect the service and you can lose your clients. 

Contrary, when you use high-quality software, it’ll eliminate all errors and simplify the overall workflow. Providers, drivers, and other specialists won’t overwork with piles of documentation on their desks since all operations will be automated and digitized. There will be more clean claims, therefore, you’ll get reimbursements faster. Besides, all payers process electronic claims before paper ones. That’s why software must be a prioritized investment for the NEMT company.      

If your aim is a premium-quality service for your clients and high profits right from the start, we recommend using RouteGenie NEMT software. It was created by the talented and experienced team for NEMT companies of any size and location. This software will automate and streamline such operations as dispatching, routing, scheduling, vehicle and driver management, billing, and more. 

RouteGenie is a single-source software solution for NEMT providers. Let it run the entire practice for you and rev up your profits with it!

We hope that with the help of this post you’ll be able to create your own profit estimator calculator for your NEMT business and believe you’ll run your company smoothly. The possibilities are limitless in NEMT!

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31 thoughts on “NEMT Rates: Is an NEMT Business Profitable?”

  • J.V. Eichelberger says:

    February 3, 2021 at 10:25 am

    I’ve enjoyed the information provided in this article. Will continue to look for more helpful information on NEMT.

    Reply

    • Sami Qadri says:

      February 25, 2021 at 8:08 pm

      More information

      Reply

      • Jameela Simpson says:

        March 11, 2021 at 4:56 pm

        Thank you so much for this information. I was intriguing and thought provoking. I am inspired to go forth in building my NEMT business even more after reading this article. Thanks again.

        Reply

        • RouteGenie says:

          March 12, 2021 at 4:32 am

          Jameela, we wish you all the best. Hard work and soon you will be running a huge company.

          Reply

        • michael sanders says:

          June 25, 2021 at 1:26 am

          Think hard on this. And all that’s involved its not a piece of cake handling non emergency medical needs in transporting them,I have done it for 5yrs and face two lawsuits

          Reply

          • RouteGenie says:

            July 5, 2021 at 6:05 am

            At the same time many of our customers are growing rapidly, they are happy with the industry they’ve chosen. It depends on many factors, including the time when you launch and area.

          • Medina I Jenicca says:

            July 28, 2021 at 8:15 pm

            Sorry to hear about the lawsuits. Could you please tell us the type of lawsuits they are? Hope you get passed that
            Thank you

          • jim says:

            March 31, 2022 at 12:58 pm

            hi, how much was the car insurance that you were using. was it a van? I am thinking of doing this in the future in Florida.

          • Rena says:

            July 20, 2022 at 6:21 am

            Hi Michael
            please elaborate on what type of lawsuit I am a company that just getting started, I don’t need this type of hassle in my life please explain, so zI will know whether to stop now before I invest anymore money in it. or tell me how to avoid a lawsuit.
            Sincerely,
            Rena

      • Tanya Brown says:

        May 26, 2021 at 5:15 pm

        Where to start?

        Reply

      • David says:

        August 18, 2021 at 2:59 am

        where do i need to go to register for it…..how do i get client,

        Reply

        • RouteGenie says:

          August 26, 2021 at 3:38 am

          David, try to review our blog a bit, we’ve got some articles related to your question.

          Reply

  • Joe Moore says:

    February 6, 2021 at 10:19 pm

    I thank you for all the information that has been afforded to me on NEMT. It will be very useful as I move forward in my business adventure.

    Reply

    • RouteGenie says:

      February 8, 2021 at 4:22 am

      Joe, we hope the information is useful and helps you! Once you feel a need for software – let us know, out Team will schedule a demo with you.

      Reply

      • Christina Kamunde says:

        April 8, 2021 at 8:45 pm

        Transportation business

        Reply

  • SHERRY HENDRICKS says:

    February 21, 2021 at 6:55 am

    DOES LOGISTICARE SOLUTIONS STILL HAVE THE MISSOURI NEMT CONTRACT

    Reply

    • RouteGenie says:

      March 9, 2021 at 1:24 pm

      Sherry, better contact them directly. We would appreciate it if you post the answer here so that your colleagues could know the answer.

      Reply

  • Shamil Abdurakhmanov says:

    March 25, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    Thanks for the priceless information!!! Can I start as a subcontractor under a company just having a couple cars?

    Reply

    • RouteGenie says:

      March 26, 2021 at 3:30 am

      Hi Shamil!
      Definitely, contact NEMT companies in your area.

      Reply

  • Ereen says:

    April 3, 2021 at 2:47 am

    I’m a new provider and I did not advise any one start this business the price list it’s not true at all and the insurance price monthly very expensive and not covered by the revenue

    Reply

    • RouteGenie says:

      May 18, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      Ereen, our readers would appreciate it if you could share real numbers.

      Reply

    • Shauna says:

      August 12, 2021 at 3:08 pm

      As far as what? Insurance?

      Reply

    • Alex says:

      January 30, 2022 at 6:11 pm

      Thanks for being candid about it all. I have been in the industry for about 4years not and I have made an profit at all and the insurance is VERY HIGH and the sole broker in NJ makes it more difficult for smaller providers.

      Reply

  • KWAN H LEE says:

    May 20, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    Hello, my name is KWAN
    I bought the CA NEMT license 5 years ago
    It wasn’t open until now, but now I’m going to try it.
    But I don’t know anything about running it
    can you help me

    Reply

    • RouteGenie says:

      July 5, 2021 at 6:14 am

      Kwan, we are a software provider, but we have some articles that might help you. Check out this one: https://routegenie.com/starting-a-nemt-business-the-complete-guide/

      Reply

  • Tanya Brown says:

    May 26, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    Where to start?

    Reply

    • RouteGenie says:

      July 5, 2021 at 6:12 am

      Have a look at this article, hope this will help you.
      https://routegenie.com/starting-a-nemt-business-the-complete-guide/

      Reply

  • Shinikki says:

    August 12, 2021 at 8:24 am

    Hi am actively reading and searching for any new info I can. I brought a bus a couple months ago and am intending on having it up and running soon. I am just trying to soak up as much information as I can before I dive in head first. Any tips, suggestions or information that ANYONE has to offer would be useful and I am very thankful and grateful for it! Thanks and wish me LUCK and blessings!!

    Reply

    • Carlotte says:

      February 12, 2022 at 10:23 am

      Hi Shinikki. I’m in MD. Where are you?

      Reply

  • YVETTE ROCCO says:

    June 17, 2022 at 6:11 am

    Hi I am looking into this business as well. I want to work for myself and have my daughter and sister in on this too. I have been in the medical industry 30 plus years I know what insurance companies pay and I can get many clients but I am scared. I have a mortgage and other people to look out for. Exactly how much do I need to start?

    Reply

    • RouteGenie says:

      June 23, 2022 at 8:11 am

      Hi Yvette, to understand exactly how much you need to start an NEMT business you need to create a business plan. Since everything varies based on state, county, types of services you are performing, etc.

      How much does it cost to call 1777?

      Is ambulance free in Singapore? If you are facing an emergency, the SCDF emergency ambulance that conveys you to a hospital will be free. However, for non-emergency cases, SCDF charges $274. For non-emergency ambulances in Singapore, you can call 1777.

      How much is an ambulance ride in Florida without insurance?

      Without insurance, the average cost of an ambulance ride is around $1200. However, factors like ground mileage and severity of services affect the final prices of ambulance services. Ambulance rides are not protected under the No Surprises Act, which aims to reduce surprise medical billing.

      Is 995 ambulance free?

      Calling 995 for non-medical emergencies could cost lives. The SCDF EMS is always on stand-by for true emergencies where every second counts. ... What is a Non-Emergency? ..

      Is 1777 ambulance free?

      For cases which do not require emergency response, you can call 1777 for a non-emergency ambulance at a fee. Note: Charges are subjected to additional costs that will be informed by the Private Ambulance Operators to the caller/patient.