When people need medical attention and are incapable of transporting themselves, as with some elderly people or the disabled, they rely on medical transport companies to get them to the clinic, treatment facility or hospital. Medical transportation companies provide safe and quick transportation for emergency and non-emergency situations. An entrepreneur looking to start his own medical transport company would need enough capital to provide an effective transportation system and secure vehicle.
Instructions
1. Identify a need and write a business plan. A medical transport company would do well in an area with a high population of elderly or disabled people, nursing homes and hospitals. Consider sticking to non-emergency services. If you intend to provide emergency services, you will need significantly more training than you would to provide non-emergency services. Watch competitors, take note of how many vehicles they own, services they provide, advertising methods and their service areas.
2. Enroll in state-approved training. Learn deal with the handicapped, general safety, CPR, defensive driving, HIPAA regulations, infection control and vehicle management. Contact your local EMS agency for information on where to attend training.
3. Contact your state department of public safety to learn what additional licenses and permits are needed to start your company. Obtain a business license and liability insurance. Contact your state Department of Human Services (DHS) to get on a list of approved medical transport providers in your area. Since the majority of your clients will pay via Medicaid, their transportation will usually need to be pre-authorized through your state's DHS, who will refer them to approved providers. Contact your state's Medicaid department to learn the process for submitting a Medicaid request. Review the rules on medical transportation reimbursements to ensure that you don't get left footing the bill.
4. Select a location for your medical transport business within a reasonable radius of the clientele you will serve, including nursing homes and hospitals. Since gas will be your biggest expense, proximity is important. Set up a merchant account for accepting credit cards over the phone.
5. Purchase a vehicle. If purchasing used vehicles, have someone on hand who can conduct regular maintenance and repairs cheaply and quickly. Look for a van that can accommodate ambulatory patients and those in need of wheelchairs or stretchers. Implement GPS tracking on every vehicle. Install a hydraulic lift. Provide automobile collision and comprehensive insurance coverage. Your vehicle must meet state regulations, such as being smoke-free and clean, and be equipped with the required safety gear. Stay up to date on vehicle regulations.
6. Hire friendly drivers with clean driving records, and put them through training. Conduct background checks and drug testing. Establish policies for what to do in the event that a non-emergency situation becomes an emergency situation.
7. Create detailed brochures that highlight the advantages of using a non-emergency medical transport service over an ambulance or taxi, which are the only other options for someone in need of transportation. Non-emergency medical transport is not only cheaper than using an ambulance, but it also reduces the burden on ambulance services. Take these to nursing homes, senior centers, hospitals and dialysis centers.
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