4 NEMT Fast Facts The global non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) industry is driving the care-economy well into the future. Many factors come into play for this booming billion dollar business that sits at the crossroads of healthcare and transportation. We summarized three reasons, of what we believe to be the biggest for this boom.
Check out these four must-know NEMT stats to get a hand on the wheel of this four-letter acronym’s upward trajectory.
1 | There’s a Strong Correlation Between Well-Being and Wheels People — from at-home patients of medical practices to folks with one-off medical needs — need NEMT. Too many Americans do not receive the care required because they cannot make it to their medical appointments — and the reason being: they simply don’t have access to transportation that will get them from A to B. This not only affects their own health and well-being, but that of the entire healthcare system, too.
21% of adults in the US did not receive the medical care they needed last year due to lack of access to a vehicle or public transit. (Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2023 ) Every year, six million Americans put off or miss their non-emergency medical appointments because of transportation obstacles, potentially worsening their health, which ultimately causes financial setbacks for the healthcare system. (Source: Hughes-Cromwich & Wallas research, 2006 ) Black adults (8%), adults with low family incomes (14%), and adults with public health insurance (12%) were all more likely to forgo needed care due to difficulty finding transportation. (Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2023 ) 2 | The NEMT Market Growth is Accelerating, Globally reaching an estimated value of USD 15.58 billion by 2028 . Sadly, the demand for NEMT services is on the rise due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and a growing geriatric population. (Source: GlobeNewswire, 2023 ). This underscores the need for additional NEMT providers and an increase in the quality of current NEMT trips to bridge the gap and prepare for this massive additional wave of demand. This is a massive need and opportunity for NEMT providers, governments, care providers, and citizens to unite and ensure this critical service for the next decade.
3 | More Investment in NEMT Means a Bigger ROI for all Stakeholders There are clearly demonstrated cost benefits linked with NEMT services (i.e. faster recovered and healthier patients, less hospital overhead and human resources to name a few). And soon enough, healthcare providers and policymakers will see that it makes sense to consider boosting investments in NEMT in order that providers, patients and the general population benefit wherever and whenever NEMT services are available.
From the healthcare system people and the planet — everyone benefits when NEMT services are provided. It really does increase well-being and accessibility for all. The investment and integration of NEMT service into the healthcare system not only saves lives and money, it makes money, too!
Research indicates that NEMT proves to be financially advantageous when incorporated into a care management approach for individuals with chronic illnesses. This integration results in a net positive return on investment exceeding USD 40 million monthly (USD 480 million annually) per cohort of 30,000 Medicaid beneficiaries.Source: Medical Transportation Access Coalition, 2018 ) 4. Increasing NEMT Coverage and Payments, Slowly Insurers and governments are becoming more aware of the critical link that NEMT plays in the healthcare ecosystem. The awareness that Investing in quality transportation for citizens and patients continues to proliferate for public options like Medicare and Medicaid at the state level in the US, especially with Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) . Rates for trips are set at the individual state and program level depending on several factors like distance, rural or non-rural, and equipment needs (wheelchair, stretcher, etc.).
Currently, unfortunately many states and regions are not providing adequate trip reimbursement rates to truly incentivize and reward NEMT providers for their efforts. However, we think that this is going to change, and forward-thinking NEMT providers and organizations like the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Accreditation Commision (NEMTAC) and The Transportation Alliance are lobbying local, state, and federal governments to push for industry change.
Conclusion: NEMT is an Industry Driving our Future
Whether you’re a new or veteran NEMT business owner looking to streamline your service, we’ve got the scheduling and management-optimization software for you!
And if you’re keen to get into this lucrative caretaking business, it’s quite obvious that it’s one that’s going to keep driving the economy forward, always providing that job security while you provide security for the clients you take care of.
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