According to the Census Bureau the number of people 65 and older in the USA lists as 44.7 million. Projections are that by 2060, people 65 and older will list as 98.2 million. Those over 85 years old or older will rank around 20 million. All of which has happened due to living long healthy lives. No matter how healthy a person ages and with aging muscles weaken along with eyesight and hearing. At some point most older people need help with transportation, and this is where non-medical transport comes into play.
Medicaid
Medicaid does pay for non-emergency transportation if the transportation takes a person to a medical service. It has been deemed by the Federal government to be an obligation of the state. Qualifications involve having no valid driver’s license, no available working vehicle, inability to drive, or a physical, mental, developmental or mental limitation. The state has to make alliances and deals with the various entities in the state such as taxis, buses, or individual companies. Once done, drivers receive specialized training for helping that population.
Scheduling a Ride
Whether an Internet query or in the phone book using the phrase non-medical transport will pull up the necessary companies. The better companies will have certified drivers who have had training. Get fee information up front. Medicaid pays for it, but so do other entities in the county. Call early since they schedule routes for efficiency. Have your name, address, phone number plus Medicaid ID number ready to give when calling to make an appointment. The driver will call to remind about the appointment. Understand for a round trip a person schedules the ride there and the ride back. Know that the company will ask questions about your health and about handling any basic tasks. Permission to contact your health care provided will be asked. All this questioning developed as a way to customize the ride to your specific needs. If by chance the ride is late which is defined as 15 minutes after the agreed upon pick up time, then call for a new ride. Also know if a person does not schedule a ride for returning home that it can be over an hour before a driver arrives.
Conclusion
Urban areas have many of these services in place, but not rural areas. A person with a vehicle that has a lift for wheelchairs and some training could start a small business in non-medical transport. It needs a limited liability corporation status. Take some training and get the correct driver’s license. Check the umbrella policy of your insurance policy. Get Medicaid approval and it can make recommendations. As the population ages, this type of service will become more necessary.
Information Via
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2015/cb15-ff09.html
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-medicaid-coordination/fraud-prevention/medicaid-integrity-education/downloads/nemt-booklet.pdf