Life
can be difficult for those with mobility issues, either caused by the after
effects of surgery or illness or of a more permanent form. The ability to
travel away from home and resume as much as possible of normal social and
professional activities goes a long way towards building up the quality of
life.Unfortunately, driving is often not an option and the use of public transport
is not a practical or viable alternative,
for a variety of reasons.This is why the availability of Non-Emergency Medical
Transportation (NEMT) has become both so important and so widespread. NEMT, to
put it simply, is a service that uses specially equipped and modified vehicles
and trained drivers to transport those who are unable to use other forms of
transport or for whom it may be unsafe. As the name says, the service is not
meant for use in emergencies but for all kinds of other transportation such as doctor’s
appointments, visiting friends, going to events etc. As anyone who uses NEMT
knows, using the right NEMT company can make the difference between a safe and pleasant
trip and an unsafe and bad one. Finding the right NEMT is a matter of know what
to look for. Here are some questions which can help in identifying a good, professional NEMT with whom you can travel
in safety and comfort.
What to Ask
![]() |
Image Courtesy : https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com |
What to Ask
- Check on safety – ask about the drivers’ qualifications. What are the procedures to deal with emergencies? Ask for references. A good NEMT company will not hesitate to give you the information you want.
- Licensing – Is the company licensed and bonded? If not, it may not be professional or reliable.
- The time factor – is the company known for being prompt and on time? Waiting for them to come can be a pain and if you get delayed you will miss an appointment for something that could be very important.
- Specifics – ask about their experience in transporting people with your kind of medical issues. If they have only limited experience, are they willing to listen to you and accommodate your special needs?
- Doorstep service – Is the service door to door? Will you be picked up from home (or wherever you are) and taken to the door of your destination?
- Long and short distances – Your traveling may vary from short trips to longer ones. A single dependable company that will handle both is the best. Find out about any distance limitations on their services.
- Are the drivers trained in the care and transportation of those with mobility issues? This is not the same as transporting people in a taxi or limo – drivers need special training to ensure passengers are safe.
- Does the company have different types of vehicles so that they can give you one that is best suited for your needs?
- Returning home from an event can be a problem. Is event standby available?
Of
course, you should go to the company website to check out who and what they
are. The more information provided the better. Look for references that will provide
and insight into the experiences of other users. Don’t compromise on the NEMT service you use. Find and use the
best – it is often much more economical than you may think.
Comments
Post a Comment