Non-Emergency Transportation: Essential Terms You Should Know

Woman Helping Patient in Wheelchair Get into VanNon-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services provide beneficial wheelchair transportation in New York City. If you or someone you care about needs these transportation services, it’s important that you’re familiar with important terms.

NEMT is available to individuals who have a wide variety of disabilities and mobile limitations. Wheelchair and van transportation services include senior transportation services and post-surgery transportation services. NEMT staff work with people of all backgrounds and meet the transportation needs of people when traditional public transportation isn’t an option.

Whether you need NEMT or someone you love needs these services, it’s important to familiarize yourself with certain non-emergency transportation terms. Keep reading to learn more about these terms and what they mean to you.

Curb-to-Curb Service

This service picks patients up from their residences and transports them to the building’s entrance. Although some drivers may assist patients getting in and out of the vehicle, people who use this service should be able to get in and out of the transportation vehicle with little to no help.

Door-to-Door Service

For people who need help walking down steps or have mobility issues that require help, door-to-door service is the better option. This service can include walking alongside a person who’s unstable on their feet to providing stretcher transportation for bed-bound patients. People who need stretcher transportation must make sure the vehicle they book can transport wheelchairs and stretchers.

Bariatric Transportation

This is wheelchair transport or stretcher transport service for heavier patients or those who weigh over 300 pounds. People who fall into this category need NEMT that has specialized equipment to move bariatric patients comfortably and safely. Additional drivers might also be necessary to help with transport.

Field Service Representatives (FSRs)

These individuals are EMTs trained to assist with numerous medical conditions that people with limited mobility may have. FSRs undergo additional ADA training to make sure they deliver safe and comforting services to patients who have disabilities. These individuals undergo background checks and basic lifesaving methods such as CPR.

Long-term Healthcare Transportation

This transportation is for people in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Often, people who fall into this category need to attend medical appointments off-campus. Long-term healthcare transportation gets these individuals to and from doctors’ appointments and other obligations.

Chronic Care Transportation

These transportation services meet the needs of individuals who have ongoing illnesses that need ongoing and consistent transportation. Whether transportation needs are once a month or several times a week, NEMT is more affordable and reliable than other forms of transportation.

Acute Care Transportation

Male Patient Sitting in Non-Emergency Van Acute care transportation services are ideal for people who have sustained injuries and need help to get back to their homes or nursing facilities. When it’s not possible for loved ones to drive the person back home, acute stretcher and wheelchair transportation services are more convenient and affordable than calling for an ambulance.

Stellar Transportation Services

You deserve the best non-emergency transportation services. Depending on a wheelchair taxi in New York City isn’t the best way to get to medical appointments, run errands, or do other things around town. You need professionals who understand your unique transportation needs. To learn more about wheelchair transportation, contact Cathay Express Transportation at (212) 261-5555 for a quote or to reserve a ride.