Patient transport is an essential part of the medical treatment process. Patients who don’t have access to vehicles in order to get to their appointments, treatments, and clinic visits rely on transport that is arranged and paid for by their health insurance. Two of the most common insurance plans that use NEMT transport are Medicare and Medicaid, both of which have patients who are on the medically fragile and vulnerable side. This is just one of the many reasons why having your NEMT vehicles properly insured is crucial.

Non-Emergency Medical Transport

Also known as paratransit or NEMT vehicles, these converted minivans, SUVs, and full-size vans are run by specialty livery companies that only transport people in need of non-emergency medical care. As a result, emergency vehicles, like ambulances, do not qualify for this particular type of specialty insurance.

In order to qualify as a non-emergency transport vehicle, it must meet the following conditions:

  • No emergency lights or sirens
  • No emergency equipment kept on board
  • No oxygen tanks or other supplies

However, an NEMT vehicle can have:

  • Electricity hookups for patient’s oxygen tanks
  • Wheelchair ramp or lift
  • Other accessibility options for people with disabilities

Insurance for NEMT Vehicles

Due to the specialty transport requirements of NEMT vehicles, yours will not qualify for standard auto or emergency vehicle insurance. As a result, you’ll need a specific NEMT insurance policy designed for companies who manage this type of transit. There are many things that the insurance company will look at in order to determine your premium amounts, including:

  • Number of vehicles registered to the company and placed on the policy
  • How long the NEMT company has been operating
  • Age and driving record of employees who will be driving the vehicles
  • Number of previous insurance claims made by the company
  • Average distance traveled on a yearly basis to pick up and drop off patients
  • Age, make, and model of the NEMT vehicles
  • Specialty additions like wheelchair lifts and ramps

What Does NEMT Insurance Consist Of?

Getting into an accident with patients onboard is not ideal. Even an accident with only the driver onboard can lead to an NEMT vehicle that’s out of commission until it’s repaired. As a result, protection from paying for physical vehicle damages, patient hospital bills, and potential property damage should your company be found liable for the accident can be quite expensive. This is why having an NEMT insurance policy in place is a good idea.

NEMT insurance can consist of the following:

  • Auto Liability Coverage
  • Physical Vehicle Damage
  • General Liability
  • Professional Liability

The actual coverage amounts, as well as the types of insurance included in an NEMT policy, can vary. It all depends on your company’s needs, as well as what policies your insurance company offers.

Have Questions? Contact Charlotte Insurance

Want to learn more about NEMT insurance for Non-Emergency Medical Transport vehicles? Contact Charlotte Insurance. Our agents can explore and explain all available options and put together the insurance coverage plan your business needs.