From emergency situations that require quick action and medical attendants, to finding a ride to a doctor's appointment, traveling long distances for special occasions or even vacations when you aren't physically able to travel by the usual methods, you can find companies that will provide specialized transportation, no matter how far you need to go. Finding this type of medical transportation might take a little time and effort. The good news is that more transportation providers are offering more travel options than ever before.
Instructions
Meeting Your Medical Transportation Needs
1. Determine whether your trip will be covered by health insurance. Read your policy carefully. Most health insurance only covers medical transportation under specific circumstances, usually classified as medically necessary. You're probably covered if you need to travel to a hospital by ambulance, but you probably aren't covered if you need a ride to an appointment with your family doctor.
2. Start locally. Check the Yellow Pages or do an Internet search for "medical transportation" along with your city and state. If you live in a rural area or small town, local options might be limited. You'll probably find ambulances and van transport services. Depending on the number of miles you need to travel and the reason for the trip, these services might meet your needs. For example, if you need to be admitted at a hospital in another city or town and need to travel by ambulance, you can make arrangements through a local ambulance association or company. The trip probably will be covered by insurance if you can document the necessity.
If you must travel out of town to see a doctor, you won't be able to go by ambulance. You might be able to use a van transport service if you use a wheelchair or a walker, or if you have another type of disability and are unable to sit upright for the trip.
If you have Medicaid and need to consult a doctor in another city, you're probably eligible for travel reimbursement. If a family member or friend drives you and, as long as you can document the number of miles driven and keep receipts for parking and, in some cases, even meals and lodging, you can request reimbursement. Be sure to have the doctor's receptionist verify that you kept the appointment.
3. If you're traveling a long distance, go beyond local providers who offer services in a limited area. If your trip is medically necessary, it might be covered by your insurance. Look for air ambulances or long-distance medical transport vans. Air ambulances and helicopters mainly provide medically necessary services, such as emergency hospital admissions. Usually, a doctor makes the decision to use these services when a patient must be transferred from a local hospital to a distant one.
Some medical transportation companies offer long-distance services using transport vans. They typically provide services to people unable to sit for long periods, those moving from one nursing home to a more distant facility or patients transferring from one medical center to another.
4. If your trip is long-distance but not medically necessary, and you need transportation because of a medical condition or disability, you'll probably pay the charges.Many companies offer nationwide service; search online for "medical transportation, long distance." The trend for this type of travel is toward using RVs equipped with all the comforts of home, plus a nurse. You can enjoy hot meals, cold drinks, TV and movies, and you can sleep while in transit. If you can't climb the RV steps in front, a special lift in back will take you and your hospital bed or wheelchair up into the vehicle.
5. If you must pay for the trip, be sure to get charges upfront. Most companies will be happy to give you a quote and explain all the options available.
Tags: medically necessary, medical transportation, need travel, your trip, another city
