How Does NEMT Software Operate?

Non-emergency medical transportation software aka NEMT management software, is critical in assisting individuals in getting to medical appointments.  

The goal of any non-emergency medical transportation service provider is to be prompt, diligent and help improve the quality of life for their clients and the community as a whole. Technology continues to boost NEMT software. It brings with it new efficiencies to help the brokers and transport professionals work more effectively and efficiently. 

What is the Need for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation? 

Lack of transportation options is a barrier to healthcare access. The population in the United States continues to get older. By the year 2060, 25% of all Americans will be over the age of 65. The number of Americans over the age of 85 will triple in that time. As they get older, these are individuals who will find it harder to drive a car, get up and downstairs, and get to doctor’s appointments timely. Preventative care with a doctor is critical to identify health issues early and address them before becoming a crisis. 

Non-emergency medical transportation exists to help folks be prompt in getting their appointments done, talking to their doctor about their health, and getting the care they need. When you cannot go see your doctor due to not having a car or a disability, it could lead to more medical issues down the line. 

Not every trip to the doctor requires a 9-1-1 call. It could just be that you do not have a car. It is for these reasons that non-emergency medical transportation providers exist and thrive in the aging population. 

The Landscape: Non-emergency Medical Transportation Technology 

Fleet management and healthcare technology, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, healthcare wearables, and nanotechnology, have rapidly evolved. However, the NEMT industry lags behind in technology adoption; fleet operators still rely on antiquated, manual systems.  

To remain competitive and partner with diverse payers, you must prioritize NEMT technology adoption in the near term. Technology-driven NEMT solutions offer benefits like improved cash flow, reduced expenses, and decreased billing errors.  

Modern Technology in Non-Emergency Medical Transportation 

You may be considering or have already decided on becoming a non-emergency medical transport service provider. Jumping into this market means you must understand the business. The industry goes far beyond just getting a vehicle and picking up, dropping off patients from one appointment to the next. Technology is leading the charge as this industry evolves with the times.  

Medical transportation software, or NEMT software (or non-emergency medical transportation dispatch software, in fleet operator lingo) is one such technology with widespread adoption. 

Advances in NEMT technology 

It was not long ago that non-emergency medical transportation companies did everything by phone. Someone would call to get an appointment, and they get on the schedule. The car would show up, drive them to the appointment, and move on. 

Things are different now, though, and it is far easier to do all this and manage a growing fleet via software rather than manual processes.  

Non-emergency medical transportation software for providers simplifies and streamlines all these processes. 

Using data, GPS technology, and scheduling solutions allows you to increase your ability to change the game for patients. 

Benefits of NEMT Software 

There are considerable benefits to moving to NEMT software solutions for patients, dispatchers, as well as care facilities. Understanding where the benefits come into play for each of the core parties to non-emergency medical transportation gives you the complete picture of the solution. 

Patient benefits start with ease of scheduling, promptness, and communication. If you are a patient trying to make an appointment for a non-emergency medical transport, you may not have the foresight to call and schedule weeks in advance. With smartphones and software solutions, you could use software to request a vehicle on-demand. You can see what is available to you, make the request, and get a communication response instantly. There may be no need for you ever to pick up the phone. Patients can use the software to enter their medical insurance information, contact details, and more. 

Dispatchers love NEMT software as it allows them to be effective and precise in what they do. If a dispatcher gets a request for transport to a doctor’s appointment, the software gives them the schedule right in front of them. On top of that, they can see where all the vehicles in the fleet are at this time. If one vehicle is running behind, they will know that thanks to the software, they can quickly pivot to send another vehicle for that next pick up. It allows for improvements to promptness and diligence, letting the software help you execute the task. 

Care facilities get a lot of information from non-emergency medical transport software to help them with their patients. Transport providers can give insights to care facilities if the patient will be late due to an issue with the fleet. On top of that, care facilities can also subscribe to the software to help refer patients to the service. The care facility may even use the software to help set up the appointment for the patient. 

It is all about making things easy, transparent, and efficient across the board. 

NEMT and the Need for Software 

The industry for non-emergency medical transportation continues to grow. As the population gets older, more will need medical transportation to get to doctor’s appointments timely. By the year 2026, according to Zion Market Research, the healthcare transportation industry will grow by $10 billion to become a $31 billion industry. Non-emergency medical transportation is the fastest-growing segment of that, with a growth rate of over 4% during that time. 

With integration into the healthcare system, Medicaid insurance covering transports, the need is rising, and demands increase. Your business needs to be ready to handle the demand. 

NEMT software takes all the management of the business and puts it into the automation funnel. It takes in requests for transport, does automatic scheduling, allows patients to manage reservations, and more. Drivers get automation when it comes to maps and routes with traffic information in real-time. Billing and reports with relation to the invoices are also one-to-one.  

The integration of disparate functions, like scheduling, dispatching, route planning, and billing, is the reason non-emergency medical transportation software for providers is revolutionizing the NEMT industry. 

As a non-emergency medical transport service provider, you need technology and software to help you grow with the demands. Managing schedules, your fleet, increasing flexibility, and communication are all critical components. 

Software solutions like Tobi continue to make it easier to execute your mission and provide the best possible service to clients with each ride. Our solution includes NEMT vehicle scheduling technology within the NEMT dispatch system. It is an all-in-one non-emergency transportation software.