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How much does NEMT dispatch and scheduling software cost

Pricing is one of the most critical factors in choosing non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) software.  

When you’re setting up a business, every dollar counts, and saving money wherever you can is essential while also getting the most out of every purchase. 

The US Medicaid program first offered NEMT as a benefit in 1966. Under this benefit, the federal and state governments cover rides for eligible individuals to and from doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities for Medicaid-approved care. 

At first, the benefit was just for low-income beneficiaries who didn’t have reliable, affordable transportation methods to healthcare appointments, had extensive travel times in rural areas, lacked public transit alternatives, or had disabilities. 

These days, states have different rules about who is eligible to receive rides, which rides are covered, and if trips need pre-authorized. 

In this article, we will focus on pricing for NEMT software. We’re going to look at average costs, what you should charge for your services, and what your options are when it comes to the distinct kinds of NEMT software

Initial Costs 

Let’s start by discussing the initial costs of establishing an NEMT business.  

Here is a detailed breakdown of approximate expenditures: 

  • $725 – the fee for registering an NEMT business in the United States 
  • $5,000 – legal fees, insurance, permits, and licenses 
  • $100,000 – the cost of leasing a facility 
  • $10,000 – the amount needed to renovate a facility for operations (electrical, furnishings, plumbing, painting, and landscaping) 
  • $9,000 – the cost of furniture and equipment (flat-screen TVs, computers, printers, desks, etc.) 
  • $1,000 – other start-up expenses (i.e., stationery, etc.) 
  • $600 – the cost of setting up a website 
  • $3,500 – phone and utility deposits 
  • $150,000 – the price for ambulances 
  • $50,000 – salaries for the first three months of operations  
  • $5,000 – additional expenditures (i.e., business cards, signage, advertising, promotions, etc.) 

You will need to consider all of this as you start your business.  

Create a budget and make it exhaustive. Get granular about what you need and what you can live without. The idea isn’t to go bare-bones; however, you want to save money while getting the best bang for your buck. 

It costs an average of $350,000 to start a standard, somewhat smaller NEMT business in the US, so it’s a hefty investment.  

But don’t despair; the average NEMT business makes between $36,000 and $55,000 per year in profit.  

You can make money back quickly with the right strategy. 

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What You Should Charge 

Now that we’ve discussed some expenditures let’s consider what you should charge. 

This table shows the average rates for NEMT services across the US. Prices vary from area to area. 

Types of ChargeWeekday Business HoursWeekends & Off Hours
Ambulatory – Base Rate$25-$30$30-$40
Wheelchair – Base Rate$45-$50$75-$90
Stretcher Base Rate$100-$200$125-$225
Additional Mileage Fees$3-$5 per mile$5-$7 per mile

The idea here is to have some guideposts in place as you begin. You may adjust pricing as you evolve and gain new insights into your business from experience.  

Monitor other NEMT providers in your area to keep your rates competitive. 

NEMT Software Alternatives and Pricing 

There are some popular NEMT software providers NEMT transportation companies can consider: Tobi, NEMT Cloud Dispatch, RouteGenie, Mobisoft Infotech, and TripSpark. They all have different price points and business models. Read more about them here or check the table below for a quick overview. 

Tobi

Tobi offers a simple, transparent flat-rate charge of $50 per vehicle/month plus a variable fee of $0.10 per trip. There is a minimum charge of $100 per month (a minimum of two vehicles) after the 30-day trial ends.

For a small fleet of five ambulettes completing around 250 trips per month, the average cost will be $275.

There are no hidden charges, like signup fees or charges for specific features, and NEMT owners can add as many drivers and admin staff to the application as they want.  

NEMT providers get access to its entire gamut of features, and the system can quickly scale to match different fleet sizes. It’s excellent value for NEMT operators of small, mid-sized, and large fleets.

NEMT Cloud Dispatch 

NEMT Cloud Dispatch offers three packages: Essential, Advanced, and Premium.

Essential is for no more than five vehicles. It costs $79.99 per month. The Advanced package is for up to ten vehicles. It costs $149.99 per month. It also comes with some extra features not included with the Essential package.

It lists 20 plus as the vehicle threshold for the Premium package. The amount listed is $249.99 per month but more pricing specific is not available. So NEMT providers should call to inquire further about this package and find out if it fits their needs. The software, however, seems to be popular with small-sized businesses with under 10 vehicles.

RouteGenie

RouteGenie does not have a specific page that discusses their pricing outright. They do outline their pricing in a blog post and an FAQ.

They mention a flat rate SaaS based pricing of $50 per vehicle/month. RouteGenie does not offer a free trial, however. It’s predominantly popular among mid-sized companies within the 51-200 employee range.

Momentm (formerly TripSpark)

Momentm also doesn’t disclose specific pricing information. Instead, they have a blog post about their discovery process and the importance of customizing each customer’s experience. The brand is an established name in the transportation management industry and thus it has experience working with large enterprise clients. However, this might not be an accurate representation of how well their NENMT software works. Speaking to the Momentm team might be the best way to figure out if it will suit specific needs.

Mobisoft Infotech: It does not provide pricing details. Providers will need to submit a business inquiry to learn more.

This table gives a quick overview of some of the popular NEMT software providers.

ProviderPriceIdeal ForAdditional Notes
TobiFlat rate pricing. $50 per vehicle/month + $0.10 per tripSmall, Mid-sized, Large fleetsMinimum charge of $100/month. No hidden fees. Add unlimited drivers and admin staff to the platform.
NEMT Cloud DispatchTiered pricing. Essential: $79.99; Advanced: $149.99; Premium: $249.99Small-sized businesses (under 10 vehicles)Essential is for ≤5 vehicles; Advanced for ≤10 vehicles; Premium for >20 vehicles.
RouteGenie$50 per vehicle/monthMid-sized (51-200 employees)No free trial offered. No other pricing details available.
Mobisoft InfotechNANARequires a business inquiry for pricing details.
Momentm (formerly TripSpark)NALarge enterprise clientsNo specific pricing information. Contact team for details.
Popular NEMT software providers

These are the main NEMT software solution in the industry. NEMT providers should check the different features of each software solution listed here. NEMT software isn’t a one size fits all solution. NEMT providers must consider the prices, features, access and more before deciding.

Making the Right Choice 

While choosing the wrong NEMT software won’t ruin your business, it can significantly impact your bottom line and cause you needless headaches.  

As with any significant investment, it’s critical to do your research. Separate the features you need from the “nice-to-have” features, and then figure out what you can afford without straining your budget. 

If you’re still planning your NEMT business, know what starting the business costs, what other NEMTs in your area charge, and what profit you can expect if you set your rates competitively.  

Again, knowing the numbers can help determine which software solution makes the most sense for your business. 

If you’ve done your homework and are looking for the right software for your non-emergency medical transportation business, check out Tobi today to learn more about our NEMT software’s exceptional features.  

Tobi can help make your business better at every turn.