No matter why you need Non-Medical medical transportation services – to take you or those you’re taking care of for regular medical checkup, an unexpected non-emergency hospital visit, consultation with specialists, for physiological or psychological sessions & therapies, pathology or x-ray labs, or simply to the pharmaceutical shop to buy monthly stock of medicines. Whatever be the reason, there are certain aspects of non-emergency medical transportation that you ought to know about in order to know how you can take full and optimum advantage of these NEMT services.
NEMT is a Part of Modern Treatment Programs
NEMT services help non-emergency patients to lead a healthy & better quality of life by facilitating transport for visiting doctors from time to time as prescribed, as well as keeping up medicine prescriptions. Thus, transportation has become an important aspect of all modern treatment programs. The flip side is that this service comes for a cost that has to be borne by the patient. The cost is recurring in nature and sometimes beyond the reach of a retired individual, who may be living off pension or government aid, or may not have a decent income, belong to economically weak sections, and so on.
Medicare in NEMT Service
Medicare is a type of insurance a patient or family member opts for that covers, besides the cost of treatment, also the cost of hiring NEMT service that may be prescribed as part of post-surgery or treatment program. While you choose insurance plans, you have to know that there are some plans that cover NEMT service and some don’t. You ought to be cautious while choosing your plan.
What is NEMT Service?
Let’s first have clarity on what Non-Medical Emergency services include. Non-emergency medical transportation also popularly referred to as NEMT can be a ride-sharing or exclusive ride hiring conveyance to transport individuals to their location of medical care. An ambulance on the other hand is for emergency situations, NEMT service is hired for above mentioned situations, like doctor appointment, inpatient/outpatient transport services, and many others.
There are many kinds of hi-tech NEMT vehicles available for different costs depending on facilities inside the vehicles for patients with different kinds of conditions. Medicare sometimes also air lifts a non-emergency patient if doctor thinks it necessary.
If patients choose Medicare plan that includes NEMT service the rides are covered by Medicare and they end up saving quite a substantial amount. Cost of transportation is no more a burden on the patient undergoing treatment if covered by Medicare plan that includes NEMT rides.
Who Does NEMT Covered Under Medicare Benefit the Most?
NEMT service topped with Medicare as a concept since its launch has been fast on the uptake. Especially by those belonging to the low income and ageing population that is too frail to drive. NEMT is booked by people who either do not have the means, i.e. a vehicle or and more important, a chauffeur to drive them to their place of appointment. For them NEMT covered under Medicare has proved to be a boon.
Sometimes people may own a vehicle, but their condition may be too fragile to self-drive through all the pollution and traffic, they can’t take public transport as they’re too frail to drive. Also they may be physically disabled to drive. Not just an economically or physically weak patient, a pregnant woman in her third trimester going for a regular medical check-up may also fall in this category of hiring NEMT service for herself.
With Medicare Patients Can Lead a (emotional and financial) Stress- Free Life
Opting for Medicare with NEMT service benefit helps the patient to lead an independent life and keeps up with his/her doctor’s appointment; without stress of bearing cost of paying for the transportation, no matter what their disability is. There are many types of NEMT vehicles available for different costs. Each is differently and uniquely equipped in terms of man & machines to tackle unique patient disabilities. Personnel are also trained to help patients with complex physical medical condition.
When non-emergency patients have access of NEMT service and its cost is covered by Medicare they no more have to miss visiting a doctor, or put it off for now because family members are not free, they can’t bear the cost of transportation, or feel awkward to ask for help from friends, neighbors, relatives to carry them to the car or help them to sit in the vehicle etc., each month year after year. These may look like small issues but they put the patient in a stressful spot as the day for doctor’s appointment draws close. A patient or one who has to seek favor can understand this. Medicare that covers NEMT saves the situation.
Relief for Family Members
NEMT rides reduce physical as well as financial strain on members of the family as they don’t have to bear the transportation cost. Other inconveniences can also be avoided as they are not required to call late or take leave from office every few days to take senior or disabled member of the family to meet the doctor. Thus while working members can carry on with their office or routines without worrying about seniors missing their routine doctor’s appointment, seniors feel relieved that that they can handle situation on their own and the financial aspect of NEMT is also covered via Medicare.
NEMT service is very easy to book. It can be booked via mobile phone app, and these NEMT rides can also be tracked.
Things to Keep in Mind While Opting For Medicare Covering NEMT
It is not enough to take that Medicare plan that covers NEMT services and forget about it. You should read all the different clauses beforehand and know about all the documentations you may be required to produce to the hospital in order to avail of the services covered under it or get a reimbursement later from insurance. Speak to those using the program to their advantage or see a consultant who can show you how to. Medicare does ease the financial burden associated with hiring NEMT services, especially if you are required to use it for an extended period of time. So go for Medicare, without overlooking the fine-print.