Latest news with #NonEmergencyMedicalTransportation
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Why Leaders Should View Transportation As A Healthcare Strategy
Miguel McInnis, President/CEO of Coordinated Transportation Solutions (CTS), a non-profit Non-Emergency Medical Transportation provider. From a public health perspective, transportation isn't top of mind when discussing care strategies for good health outcomes—but it should be. When patients miss regular doctor appointments, it can lead to worse health outcomes and higher healthcare costs—particularly for those who depend on Medicare or Medicaid to cover their healthcare expenses. Whether you're a health plan executive, benefits administrator or transportation provider, rethinking transportation can go a long way toward strategically improving compliance, return on investment and, most importantly, the overall public health of a community. The Access Imperative: The Long-Term Cost Of Missed Appointments When patients miss their appointments because they have no way of getting to them, this can have devastating effects on their health over time. Let's imagine a scenario with a patient we'll call Mrs. Jones. If Mrs. Jones isn't getting to her regular appointments to check her HbA1C levels, the consequences could be an exacerbation of her diabetes that will necessitate more serious care. This means Mrs. Jones will be more likely to utilize the emergency room. While Mrs. Jones will get the care she needs at that moment, it will likely be exponentially more (e.g., a co-pay of $1,000 compared to, say, a $30 primary care appointment). Plus, her situation could lead to repeated readmissions. How Leaders Can Help Improve Access Many people are unaware of what the appropriate use of the emergency room (ER) is—and that's understandable. Consumers aren't being told when going to the emergency room is actually inappropriate, so they may think that something like a bad cough warrants a visit to the ER. To help tackle this challenge, there needs to be a concerted effort to educate people on emergency room utilization. Businesses can help. Companies can create employee education to help workers learn how to use their benefits effectively. Likewise, health plans can incorporate a telehealth component into their coverage so when patients can't make it to an appointment in person, they can still get help from their doctor. Also, healthcare professionals can actively dissuade the use of the emergency room as a form of primary care. Together, employers, insurers and physicians can invest in solutions that encourage routine care and decrease no-shows, which can, in turn, reduce the need for high-cost interventions while supporting value-based care. Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is a service provided to Medicaid beneficiaries, and this can help ensure that patients are getting the care they need. Unfortunately, this area of compliance can be a minefield. Transportation can, sadly, be rife with fraud, waste and abuse. One option to mitigate this is to use third-party brokers to handle the management of transportation logistics, scheduling and compliance reporting. These are not necessarily health plan providers' area of expertise, so having support available can help them meet regulatory requirements while lifting administrative burden, along with the risk of fraud, from their business operations. To ensure that the patients who need care most are able to access it, health plans can also partner with NEMT organizations to address the transportation-related social determinants of health with those transportation providers that specialize in underserved communities. Finally, supporting philanthropic organizations dedicated to reducing inequity and improving community metrics can help reduce missed appointments, boost disease control and lead to measurable population health benefits by funding project initiatives that incorporate transportation as part of an access to care solution. Why Leaders Should Act Now Reductions in public funding for healthcare could put already marginalized patients at risk of getting even less access to care than they currently have. However, this provides an opportunity for private businesses to lead in building access-driven care models. Filling this gap can lead to reduced emergency room visits and inpatient costs, new value-based care incentives, improved member satisfaction and plan retention and increased employee wellness and productivity. Transportation should not be treated as an afterthought. I believe businesses that make a strategic investment in this area will be ahead of the curve in terms of managing costs, making customers satisfied, increasing the wellness of their workforce and contributing to health equity. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Associated Press
18-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Diamond Care Transportation Expands Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services Across South Carolina and Beyond
Ladson, SC June 18, 2025 --( )-- Diamond Care Transportation, a leading provider of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT), has officially expanded its wheelchair-accessible ride services across South Carolina. This expansion marks a milestone in the company's mission to improve mobility and healthcare access for elderly and disabled individuals. Following increasing demand for reliable, compassionate transport options, Diamond Care Transportation now serves patients in South Carolina, Florida, Washington, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. This strategic move ensures more patients can access critical medical appointments safely and on time. 'Our expansion across these regions represents our deep commitment to accessible healthcare,' said a Diamond Care Transportation spokesperson. 'We've invested in top-tier vehicles, staff training, and new technology to make the ride experience seamless and stress-free.' The newly added service zones come with upgrades to booking convenience, including phone scheduling, online booking, and a dedicated customer support team. Diamond Care Transportation offers: Wheelchair-accessible vehicles with trained drivers. On-time pickups and courteous service. Transportation to clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and dialysis centers. Medicaid-approved and private pay ride options. This service update follows the company's recent milestones, including securing new broker partnerships and hiring additional trained drivers across service areas. For families seeking dependable, compassionate transportation for their loved ones, Diamond Care Transportation is now accepting new bookings. About Diamond Care Transportation Diamond Care Transportation provides non-emergency medical transportation with a focus on seniors, individuals with disabilities, and patients requiring wheelchair-accessible rides. Serving South Carolina, Florida, Washington, Maryland, and the DC area, the company is committed to patient safety, punctuality, and comfort. Contact: Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 (864) 335-9824 Website: Contact Information: Diamond Care Isabella Masters 564-668-4966 Contact via Email Read the full story here: Diamond Care Transportation Expands Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services Across South Carolina and Beyond Press Release Distributed by
