In recent years, the demand for non-emergency medical transport services has seen a significant rise. It is driven by an aging population and increased healthcare needs. Starting a non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) business can be a rewarding venture. The business not only serves a critical societal need but also provides a viable business opportunity. This comprehensive guide outlines the key steps to launch a successful NEMT business.
Non-Emergency Medical Transport is an essential service. If you take up providing this service as your business, you will earn good profits. Moreover, there is a good prospect in this area of business.
What is a Non-Emergency Medical Transport Service?
It is a kind of medical transport service provided to the elders who need transport to reach doctors’ chambers, medical centers, or diagnostic centers. These senior adults are either prevented from driving due to age or have certain physical problems or disabilities. Hence, they need this service.
You will need specially designed vehicles for this type of medical transport business. These vehicles should have facilities for wheelchair accommodation, toilet, oxygen, and so on.
Considering the rising number of senior adults, the medical transport business has a lot of growth opportunities. You have to plan well, abide by the laws and market your services extensively to have a good client base.
14 Steps to Start Non-Emergency Medical Transport Business
1. Choose an Area Based on Research
Choosing the right area is the first step in your non-emergency medical transport business. Don’t go for a random choice. Do your market research well before you choose the area. You have to choose an area with a good elder population.
Get the data about the elders, their affordability, availability of medical facilities, and the number of similar service providers in the area. Based on these facts and figures choose your area of business. Keep in mind, that your findings will help you in growing the client base for your business.
2. Find Your Office
Your medical transport business must have its own office. Find office space in a convenient location where people can come and enquire. Apart from that, you will need a parking space for your vehicle. Furthermore, an accounts set-up is also needed at the office.
3. Select the Vehicle
The main investment of your non-emergency medical transport business is the specially designed vehicle. Your vehicle must be equipped with facilities as follows:
- Wheelchair
- Ramp for wheelchair
- Oxygen facilities
- Toilet
- Dialysis facilities
- Air conditioning/heating arrangements
- Jerk control arrangements
Check all these facilities before you buy the vehicle. Also, use the vehicle for a few test drives to see that all the amenities are working well.
4. Write a Business Plan
Write down the business plan for your medical transport business. Put all the details of your business in the business plan. This will help you in organizing the different parts of the business as well as growing it. The points in your business plan should cover the following topics:
- Mission and Vision of the business
- Importance of non-emergency medical transport business
- Your Prospective Clientele
- Vehicles & their specifications
- Staff, you will hire
- Legal Formalities
- Licenses and Permits
- Insurance Coverage
- Money needed to start the business
- Where you will arrange startup funds?
- Expenses
- Expected Profit Margin
- Marketing Plan
Discuss each point clearly and give supporting facts and figures.
5. Name your Business
Choose a good name for your medical transport business. You do not have to be very creative or artistic about the name. It must be direct and easy to understand. Along with that, the name should signify the nature of the service you are going to provide.
Get the website domain in the name of your company. This is important for the sake of your website. If you don’t get the domain, you have to change the name. Getting the domain is a great priority for your business.
6. Register your Business
Register your medical transport business and give it legal status. There are different forms of business organizations offered by different states and countries.
For example, if you are from the United States, popular structures are sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or S Corp. One can form an LLC if interested in protecting personal assets. Check each form thoroughly and decide on the legal status of your business.
7. Licenses and Permits
Being a medical service-providing business, your non-emergency medical transport business needs several licenses and permits at the Federal as well as State levels. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, drivers, vehicles, and medical staff should be competent and trained properly to handle patients with non-emergency conditions.
The driver should have the least negative points, no drunk-driving cases, negative drug tests, and basic knowledge of first aid. The specifications of the vehicles include a wheelchair, ramp, oxygen, toilet, dialysis, etc. The medical staff should have certified first aid training.
8. Apply for Taxes
Register your medical transport business for the necessary taxes that apply to it. Also, you have to get the EIN through the proper application.
9. Buy Insurance
Insurance coverage of your non-emergency medical transport business is a must. You will need Business Liability Insurance, Workers’ Compensation Insurance, and Automobile Insurance to start with.
10. Open a Business Bank Account
You have to open a bank account in the name of your non-emergency medical transport business. This is necessary for making your accounting system work efficiently from the beginning. Get a business credit card also.
11. Hire Manpower
You will need several trained and specialized staff for your non-emergency medical transport business. This staff includes:
- Doctors
- Trained Nurses
- Caregivers
- Office Staff for giving information directly or over the phone
- Accountant
- Drivers
12. Arrange Fund
Getting a bank loan or a mortgage loan can be a solution to starting your non-emergency medical transport business. You can also try crowdfunding or apply for grants under several government schemes.
13. Technology Integration
You must implement a reliable dispatch system to efficiently manage trips, track vehicles, and optimize routes. Consider incorporating GPS technology for real-time tracking. Consider developing or investing in an easy-to-use online booking system for clients and healthcare facilities to schedule rides conveniently.
14. Have a Marketing Plan
Your target group for the non-emergency medical transport business is mostly elders, you have to plan the marketing strategies accordingly.
a) Publish Ads
Give ads about your non-emergency medical transport business in local newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, etc. Also, give ads in digital media.
b) Posters and Others
Print attractive and eye-catching posters, banners, hoardings, and glow signs on your non-emergency medical transport business. Use them at prominent places to attract the attention of your prospective clients.
c) Pamphlets, Flyers, and Brochures
Distribute flyers, pamphlets, and brochures to prospective clients as well as local medical centers, community centers, living facilities, etc. Do not forget to create an attractive logo for your business.
d) Make Presentations
Make informative and attractive presentations on your non-emergency medical transport business at various community centers, living facilities, or diagnostic centers. This will help your business to get noticed and known.
e) Enlist your Business
Enlist the name of your non-emergency medical transport business on several websites, directories, and yellow pages. Also, mark your office location in Google Maps.
f) Create a Website
Make the website of your non-emergency medical transport business an information center for your services. Update the website regularly. Mention all the details of your service along with the facilities offered and the rates. It will publicize your business far and wide.
g) Explore Social Media
Use social media handles to reach more people. Create pages in the name of your non-emergency medical transport business on social media. Give recent news and views of your clients on these pages. Also, share the link to the website on these pages.
Direct Contact
Direct contact is very important for any business. Your non-emergency medical transport business is no exception. Visit prospective clients with prior appointments and explain your service. Also visit community centers, living facilities, and medical centers to meet several people and talk to them. Distribute brochures to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Expenses of Starting a Non-Emergency Transport Business?
You have different types of expenses in your non-emergency medical transport business. They include:
- Rent/Lease of Office
- Salaries of Staff
- Fuel for Vehicle
- Maintenance of Vehicle and Equipment
- Taxes
- Insurance Premiums
- Licenses and Permit Fees
- Marketing Expenses
Is Non-Emergency Medical Transport Business Profitable?
The medical transport sector is a growing area of business. According to the statistical figures, this sector will reach more than $25 Billion by 2026.
If you charge $40-50 per hour for a patient and serve 4-5 customers per day, you can earn $24000-$30000 per week working 5 days a week. At this rate, you can earn $1000000-$1500000 a year. With proper marketing and publicity, your income will rise in the following years. Hence, after all the expenses, you can enjoy a comfortable profit.
What is the cost of starting a Non-Emergency Medical Transport Business?
To sum up all the expenses, costs, and others, you will need an amount of $350,000 to $400,000 to start your non-emergency medical transport business. This covers your fixed as well as variable costs.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.
