Use NEMT when the passenger is medically stable and needs transportation or mobility assistance. Use an ambulance when the passenger has an emergency or requires medical care, monitoring, or treatment during transportation.
Understanding the difference can help families choose the safest and most appropriate option.
What is NEMT?
Non-emergency medical transportation helps passengers travel to and from healthcare destinations without providing emergency medical treatment during the ride.
NEMT may be appropriate for:
Routine doctor appointments
Dialysis
Physical therapy
Specialist appointments
Outpatient procedures
Rehabilitation
Certain hospital discharges
Wheelchair transportation
Recurring treatments
The passenger should be medically stable for transport.
What is an ambulance?
An ambulance is equipped and staffed to provide medical care during transportation.
Medicare describes medically necessary ambulance transportation as appropriate when traveling in another type of vehicle could endanger the patient's health.
Ambulance transportation may be appropriate when a patient:
Is experiencing a medical emergency
Requires medical monitoring during transport
Needs immediate medical treatment
Cannot safely travel using another form of transportation
What about a hospital discharge?
A hospital discharge does not automatically mean an ambulance is necessary.
A medically stable patient who is cleared to leave and can safely travel without medical monitoring may be able to use NEMT.
If the patient requires medical care during transport, the hospital or healthcare provider should determine whether ambulance transportation is necessary.
Can NEMT transport wheelchair users?
Yes. Wheelchair-accessible NEMT vehicles can transport passengers who remain in their wheelchairs during the trip when the provider has the appropriate vehicle and securement equipment.
What if I am unsure which option I need?
Ask the patient's healthcare provider whether the passenger is medically stable and whether medical monitoring is required during transportation.
If there is an active or suspected medical emergency, call 911 rather than an NEMT provider.
The simple rule
NEMT = transportation and mobility assistance.
Ambulance = medical transportation with emergency or clinical needs.
Need non-emergency transportation?
Magnolia Signature Care provides comfortable, dependable transportation for medically stable passengers throughout the Triangle. Contact us to discuss your transportation needs or schedule a ride.