How To Start Medical Transport Services
The awareness of treating patients, especially the elderly population afflicted with chronic ailments, through efficient and safe transportation facilities is currently growing around. It might be non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), dialysis appointments or wheelchair transportation in order to get patients with mobility issues to medical procedures, etc. That industry carries both financial opportunity and contribution to the community.
A medical transport business is an excellent idea to have; and like maintaining any business, it will have to be planned and operated to reap the benefits as well as its maintenance. We take you through everything you should be aware of to begin with your own medical transport service of nothing.
1. Learn About the Market of Medical Transport
It is important to know what kinds of medical transport services you will be dispensing, and how popular these services can be before you start up your business:
Non-Emergency Medical Transport (NEMT): The transportation of the patient that does not involve urgent care, including dialysis, physiotherapy, and a visit to the doctor.
Stretcher Transport: It uses the primitive technique to transport wheelchair patients.
Emergency Ambulance Services: Requires higher level of licensure, EMT staffing and very high level of compliance.
To conduct research and analyse:
- Competing providers
- Target demographics
- Average prices and the services provided
2. Your Service Model
You should start with a service that you can control and develop in the future. The typical types are common.
- NEMT Private Business
- Wheelchair/Stretcher Lift Assisted Living Facilities
- Partnership with Hospitals, Clinics, and Nursing homes.
- Medicaid/Medicare Certified Provider
Decide on whether you want to attend to individual Clients, whether you want to affiliate yourself with care-facilities, or whether you want to contract to insurance programs.
3. Create a Medical Transport Business Plan
An effective business plan assists to outline the way to profitable situation and acts as a guide. It should be:
· Executive Summary
· Market Analysis
· Company Description
· Services Offered
· Marketing Strategy
· Operations Plan
· Financial Projections
· Compliance requirements and Licensing
This will be required when you are in need of financing, investors and business partners.
4. Legal Form and License to Operate
Select type of business organization
- Sole Proprietorship
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Corporation
Register the business with the local and state government. And you will require:
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- State business license
- Motor Carrier Permits
- HIPAA Certification
- Driver licensing & Training (CPR and first aid)
- Insurance (Auto-Liability-Workers comp etc.)
5. Buy the Correct Medical Transport Vehicles
You have vehicles as the hub of your business. Common choices are, for instance:
- Wheelchair
- Vans having ramp and locking mechanism
- Stretcher Vans for bed-ridden patients
- Advanced medical transportation (by ambulance)
Maintain vehicles in such a way that they are:
- ADA-compliant
- Provided with the safety (oxygen tanks, restraints, monitors in case of a necessity)
- Maintained and clean on a regular basis.
You are at liberty to lease, purchase new ones, or purchase used cars of legitimate sellers.
6. Get Trained Certified Employees
A well-hired and professional personnel promotes credibility and security:
- Drivers: CDL or Medical Transport Endorsement holders.
- Medical Personnel: (In necessity) EMTs, paramedics, or nursing assistants.
- Administrative Worker: Dispatcher, Billing specialist and Coordinators.
Every personnel is supposed to go through:
- CPR and First Aid Course
- HIPAA Training
- Sensitivity Training in working with patients
7. Develop Dispath and Schedulers Software
Good operations are based on technology. Use software tools to:
- Scheduling and Route Optimisation
- Real Time GPS Tracker
- Medical and Patient Records
- Billing and Invoicing
Some of the software solutions that are often used are:
- MediRoutes
- TripMaster
- RouteGenie
- NEMT Cloud Dispatch is the leader.
8. Billing and Payment Systems
Develop the billing systems to control the payment of:
- Paying Clients
- Insurance Companies
- Medicaid and Medicare
- Facility Contracts
You’ll need:
- NPI Number (national provider identifier)
- Medicaid/Medicare Enrolment
- Safe payment sites
Billing mistakes can be quite expensive, and it is advisable to use NEMT billing software or hire a billing specialist.
9. Advertise Your Transportation Medical Company
You will require a good neighborhood marketing strategy. Start with:
- Dedicated Web Site with Search Engine Optimized text
- Google My Business Listing
- Local Search and Paid Advertisement
- Hospitals and Clinics Flyers
- Healthcare Provider Referral Networks
Do not miss out on networking with:
- Social workers
- Case managers
- Directors of nursing homes
- Hospital discharge planners
10. Be Compliant and Never Stop
Medical transport is a very controlled industry. Be at knowledge of:
- DOT regulations
- ADA requirements
- HIPAA laws Insurance renewals
- Vehicle inspections
Ask customers to give feedback and monitor the performance rates to ensure quality service. Create a safety, empathetic and professional culture.
Final Thoughts
Establishing a medical transport business is more than a life-changing business, it can also transform the lives of the people you are serving. Your service can have a very real impact, as you can take seniors to dialysis check-ups and transport pregnant mothers safely.
Equipped with proper planning, equipment, personnel and legal expertise, it is possible to create a legal medical transport business that creates a win-win situation by not only being profitable but serves with purpose.
It does not matter whether you start small with one van or have a vision to expand to counties on the map, Infina Health is at your service to assist transport providers and match patients with transport people can trust.
Want to become a partner of the Infina Health or have difficulties getting started? Enquire to us now, to find out how we can make new transport providers flourish.
