In the world of medical transport, there’s more than just ambulances (although that’s usually what comes to mind). While most people are familiar with these emergency transport vehicles, they neglect to notice a second option, called Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, or NEMT for short. These transport vehicles are quite different from the ones designed for emergency purposes, and they can take passengers to non-emergency parts of the hospital or clinic. An added bonus is that they are often covered by most insurance plans.
But there’s a catch. These vehicles require a special kind of insurance, called NEMT Insurance. Let’s explore your NEMT insurance options.
What is a NEMT Vehicle?
Also known as medical transport, these vehicles work kind of like cabs, only their passengers are very different from those heading home from bars or traveling to or from the airport. Instead, these vehicles, many of which are handicap friendly and wheelchair accessible, have comfortable seating, air conditioning, and sometimes even hookups for powered oxygen machines. They are run by private companies who have contracts with Medicare and Medicaid, along with other health insurance companies, and are hired to take patients without transportation to appointments, clinical tests, and treatments.
What About NEMT Insurance?
Since NEMT vehicles are different from private ones and standard business cars, they don’t qualify for regular auto insurance policies. Instead, they need one that’s set up for their specific purpose, known as NEMT insurance. These policies contain all of the protections that the NEMT company needs in order to protect themselves just in case something should happen.
What’s Involved in a NEMT Policy?
When you apply for an NEMT policy, your insurance company is going to look into a number of factors. These include things like:
- Vehicle Age – How old is the NEMT vehicle? Older vehicles may cost more to insure than newer ones, based on the age of the vehicle.
- Drivers – Who is going to be driving the NEMT vehicle? Their driving records count towards the insurance premiums. Those who are older and have solid driving records will usually cost less to insure than those who are younger or have questionable driving records.
- Vehicle Features – Since NEMT vehicles aren’t ambulances, there are some requirements for qualifying for one of these policies. For example, a vehicle with lightbars, emergency medical equipment, and oxygen tanks doesn’t qualify for an NEMT policy. However, those without equipment, oxygen tanks, and lightbars usually do.
- Wheelchair Accessibility – Since many of the patients who use NEMT transportation need mobility devices, it’s common for NEMT vehicles to have wheelchair ramps and lifts. Whether or not the vehicle has these features factors into the overall insurance costs since these devices can be expensive to repair if they break.
- Claims History – What is the NEMT company’s history of claims? If they have a lot on their record, they more than likely will have to pay a higher premium than a company with a clean record.
Have Questions? Contact Charlotte Insurance
Want to learn more about NEMT insurance? Contact Charlotte Insurance. Our agents can explore and explain all available options and put together the insurance coverage plan your business needs.