Medical Transportation Companies: What They Are
No one enjoys doctors appointments. The reality is that there are times when it becomes a necessity. It becomes even more stressful when a person is ill, elderly, or disabled and without a vehicle. It is said that about 3.6 million patients miss medical appointments every year. This is primarily attributed to a lack of transportation.
The need for effective medical transportation can not be overemphasized. Medical transportation companies exist to assist the elderly, disabled, or critically ill. These patients are comfortably transported from their homes to medical appointments or non-emergency checkups. After the appointment is over, they’ll typically bring the patient back home.
Due to the nature of the patient, different types of transportation is required. Their condition can have a drastic effect on the transportation that is requested. Some companies add a twist to the ride-sharing model to provide on-demand medical transportation. Case managers or healthcare providers request rides on behalf of a patient while they monitor the ride. This helps to ensure a safe trip from start to finish. In these cases, the cost of transportation is covered more often by Medicaid and Medicare.
As convenient as this mode of medical transportation might be, healthcare providers prefer a more professional approach. They would rather have a more conventional transportation where EMTs and paramedics are on hand. This ensures a safe and comfortable transport for the patient. Knowing there is proper medical assistance during transport is always reassuring.
In that regard, medical transportation would be broadly placed under two different categories. Non-emergency medical transportation caters to patients who do not have an immediate threat from their health condition or injury. In this case, ambulance vans, which happen to be the most common form of non-emergency medical transportation, are employed. Other options include the use of wheelchair transport services operated by CPR-trained drivers. This option is for people who are either confined to a wheelchair or require assistance in walking.
Some of these medical transportation companies also offer flight escort services. People who are fit enough to travel but require close medical supervision would choose this option. It is also worth mentioning that courier services are utilized in cases for transporting biological matter. Some examples would be human blood or organs. The drivers used in these cases adhere strictly to privacy and confidentiality standards.
In critical situations, emergency medical transportation routines are employed where paramedics monitor vitals, administer shots, and medication. They stabilize the patient while in transit to an emergency room or trauma unit. Both the Basic Life Support ambulance and Advanced Life Support are vivid examples of the transportation means used.
When it comes to cost, a primary advantage of using non-emergency ground transportation is the savings. Compared to hiring an air ambulance service, the price can be one fourth or even a fifth of the cost. Medical transportation companies are a valuable player in the healthcare sector. They help provide a way to commute effectively, for one of the best healthcare services in the world.
