Medical Transportation Business

The Non-emergency Medical Transportation Services comprises both private and municipal operators that provide basic transportation alongside medical care for patients either by ground or air. These services are provided during a non-emergency situation, but they are not restricted to such instances.

The ambulances or vehicles as the case may be are usually equipped with lifesaving equipment operated by medically trained employees i.e., nurses and doctors et al.

The Global Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Market size was estimated at USD 7,091.56 million in 2020, and the industry is expected to reach USD 7,560.06 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.94 percent reaching USD 10,609.66 million by 2026.

Steps to Start a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business

1. Conduct Market Research

If you are considering starting a non-emergency medical transportation business, you would need reliable market research to be able to maximize profits from the business. The first step in the market research process for your non-emergency medical transportation company should be to develop market-based research questions in line with your overall business goal and objective.

In this regard, you should source information that will help you maximize your business, data that will tell you what your potential market is looking for in a non-emergency medical transportation company, and also help you operate your non emergency medical transportation business with less stress.

a. Who is the Target Market for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?
  • Elderly people
  • Expectant Mothers
  • Injured Sports Men and Women
  • Disable/Physically Challenged People
  • People with mental/psychiatric challenges
  • The aged, and every other age category that falls under the conditions listed by the physician.
b. Is Non-Emergency Medical Transportation a Profitable Business?

Yes, the non-emergency medical transportation business is profitable. In the United States, the services offered by non-emergency medical transportation companies usually range from $25 to $60 per hour, depending on the state. So, if you work 20 hours a week at a rate of $25/hour, you will make about $500 a week or $2,000 a month or $240,000.

c. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

No, there are no existing niches when it comes to the non-emergency medical transportation business because non-emergency medical transportation is a subset of the ambulances services industry.

d. Who are the Major Competitors?
  • Golden Chariot Specialty Transport Service, LLC
  • Royal Medical Transport
  • MedjetAssist
  • BestRideUsa – Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services
  • American Best Care Medical Transportation
  • Aloha Non-Emergency Medical Transport LLC
  • Armstrong Richard Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
  • Stellar Transport
  • MASA Assist
  • MediGistics Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
  • One-Stop MedEx: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
  • InteCare Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
  • Unique hands Nonemergency Medical Transportation
e. Are There County or State Regulations or Zoning Laws for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?

Yes, there are county and state regulations for the non-emergency medical transportation business. As a NEMT provider, it is expected that you know the specific Medicaid rules for NEMT and any general State licensing or certification requirements for vehicles and drivers in the States where you furnish services. Most States publish a provider transportation manual. If you have questions or concerns, call the SMA for assistance.

f. Is There a Franchise for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?

Yes, there are franchise opportunities for non-emergency medical transportation business, and here are some of them;

  • Caliber Care+Transport Franchise
  • Medex Patient Transport
  • Stellar Transport
  • Caliber Patient Care Franchise.
g. What Do You Need to Start a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?
  1. Memorable NEMT Business Names

  • Safe Hands© Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Horse Back® Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, LLC
  • Reliable© Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Medic Solutions® Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Transport King™ Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Green Line™ Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, LLC.
  • Jeffrey Jones© Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, LLC
  • Swift Guys® Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Andrew Tyrone© Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Bolton Clarkson© Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Merry Trans® Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, LLC
  • Noel Line® Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, LLC
  • Convoy™ Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, LLC
  • Brown Williams© Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Morning Rise® Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Emmy Bee™ Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Speed Link™ Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Speed Net© Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  • Metropolitan® Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, LLC
  • Rest Assured™ Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc.
  1. Register Your Business

a. What Type of Business Structure is Best for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Company?

Even though there are several options such as sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation, when it comes to the business structure for a non-emergency medical transportation business, the one that most players consider is an LLC. It is common to consider an LLC because providers want to protect themselves from lawsuits.

Please note that an LLC will need an EIN if it has any employees or if it will be required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below. Most new single-member LLCs classified as disregarded entities will need to obtain an EIN.

b. Steps to Form an LLC
  • Choose a Name for Your LLC.
  • File Articles of Organization.
  • Choose a registered agent.
  • Decide on member vs. manager management.
  • Create an LLC operating agreement.
  • Comply with other tax and regulatory requirements.
  • File annual reports.
c. What Type of License is Needed to Open a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?
  • Non – Emergency Medical Transport Business License
  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) (at least a Class B CDL)
  • Zonal Permits
  • Signage Permit
  • Operational State Facility Inspections for your parking
d. What Type of Certification is Needed to start a non-emergency medical transportation business?
  • The Certified Transport Specialist (CTS)
  • EMT certifications
  • Basic CPR and First Aid Certifications
  • Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) Trainer and Driver Certification.
e. What Documents are Needed to Open a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?

These are some of the basic legal documents needed to legally run a non-emergency medical transportation business in the United States of America;

  • DBA
  • EIN
  • Business and liability insurance
  • Federal Tax Payer’s ID
  • State Permit and Building Approval (For your parking)
  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) (at least a Class B CDL)
  • Non – Emergency Medical Transport Business License
  • Business Plan
  • Employment Agreement (offer letters)
  • Operating Agreement for LLCs
  • Insurance Policy
  • Online Terms of Use
  • Online Privacy Policy Document
  • Contract Document
  • Company Bylaws
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
f. Do You Need a Trademark, Copyright, or Patent?

If you are considering starting a non-emergency medical transportation business, usually you may not have any need to file for intellectual property protection/trademark. This is because the nature of the business makes it possible for you to successfully run it without having any cause to challenge anybody in court for illegally making use of your company’s intellectual properties.

  1. Cost Analysis and Budgeting

a. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?

The startup cost for a non-emergency medical transportation business is not uniform. Factors such as the number of ambulettes, the size, and of course the brand and model of the ambulettes affect the cost. But a non-emergency medical transportation business will cost from $200,000 – $600,000 to start and that can easily go higher depending on the type and number of ambulettes you want to start the business with and of course your overall business goals and objectives.

b. What are the Cost Involved in Starting a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?
  • The Fee for registering the business in the United States – $725.
  • The budget for legal fees, insurance, permits, and license – $5,000
  • The cost of leasing a facility – 100,000
  • The amount needed to renovate the Facility (electrical, furnishings, plumbing, painting, and landscaping) – $10,000.
  • The Cost for the purchase of furniture and equipment (Flat Screen TVs, computers, printers, and cabins et al) – $10,000
  • Other start-up expenses including stationery – $1000
  • Phone and utility deposits – $3,500
  • The Cost for the purchase of ambulettes – $150,000.
  • Cost for payment of salaries for the first 3 months of operation – $50,000
  • Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts, and Promotions et al) – $5,000
  • The cost of launching an official website – $600
  • Miscellaneous – $2,500
c. What Factors Determine the Cost of Opening a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?
  • The size of non-emergency medical transportation business (numbers of ambulettes to start the business with)
  • The choice of location
  • The required licenses and permits
  • The cost of hiring and paying a business consultant and attorney
  • The cost for branding, promotion, and marketing
  • The cost for furnishing and equipping the facility
  • The cost for insurance policy covers
  • The cost for registering the business
  • Cost of recruiting and training your staff
  • The cost for the purchase and customizing of uniforms
d. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will It Cost?

It is not compulsory to build a new facility for your non-emergency medical transportation business, but if you have the required finance, it will pay you to build your parking facility and administrative office. The truth is that building or reconstructing a facility will help you come up with a facility that will perfectly fit into your overall business goals.

e. What are the Ongoing Expenses of a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?
  • Gas and lubricants
  • Essential medical supplies
  • Utility bills (internet subscriptions, phone bills, signage and software renewal fees et al)
  • Salaries of employees
  • Ambulettes maintenance
  • Insurance
  • Marketing and business promotion costs
f. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?
  • Chief Operating Officer (Owner) – $68,000 Per Year
  • Admin and HR Manager – $48,000 Per Year
  • Transport and Logistics Manager – $48,000 Per Year
  • Nurses/Nurse’s Aides/Paramedics – $40,000 Per Year
  • Marketing and Sales Executive (Business Developer) – $38,000 Per Year
  • Accountant $38,000 Per Year
  • Ambulette Drivers – $36,800 Per Year
  • Customer Service Officer (Receptionist) – $26,100 Per Year
g. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business
  • Raise money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
  • Raise money from investors and business partners
  • Sell shares to interested investors
  • Applying for a loan from your bank/banks
  • Pitching your business idea and applying for business grants and seed funding from, government, donor organizations, and angel investors
  • Source for soft loans from your family members and your friends.
  1. Write a Business Plan

a. Executive Summary

Medic Solutions® Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Inc. is a licensed non-emergency medical transportation company that will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah. We are in business to provide transportation alongside medical care for patients who are seeking to access medical facilities. We will provide daily services all around Utah and across the United States of America in the nearest future.

b. Products and Service
  • Non – emergency surface ambulance services
  • Non – emergency air ambulance services (in the nearest future)
  • Nursing aide (CPR and first aid) services
c. Mission Statement

Our mission is to ensure that we build a successful non-emergency medical transportation company that will operate not just in Salt Lake City, Utah but in the whole of the United States of America.

Vision Statement

Our Vision is to become one of the preferred choices for individuals and organizations when it comes to the demand for non-emergency medical transportation in the whole of the United States of America.

d. Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of a non-emergency medical transportation business are to provide transportation alongside medical care for patients either by ground or air. The truth is that non – emergency medical transportation services are highly essential for disadvantaged Medicaid recipients, for the elderly, for those who have one form of disability or the other, and those who have no form of transportation to access healthcare services when the need arises.

e. Organizational Structure
  • Chief Operating Officer (Owner)
  • Admin and HR Manager
  • Transport and Logistics Manager
  • Nurses/Nurse’s Aides/Paramedics
  • Marketing and Sales Executive (Business Developer)
  • Accountant
  • Ambulette Drivers
  • Customer Service Officer (Receptionist)

Marketing Plan

a. SWOT Analysis
Strength:
  • Excellent operational history
  • Attention to detail.
  • Accurate estimates with no hidden costs.
  • Experience and trained professionals.
  • Excellent customer testimonials.
  • Reliable and efficient ambulettes and service.
Weakness:
  • Not enough existing clientele to run at full capacity immediately
  • The owner is new to large scale marketing
  • Will need a loan to purchase ambulettes
  • Lack of economies of scale.
Opportunities:
  • The growing number of disadvantaged Medicaid recipients, the elderly, and those who have one form of disability or the other.
  • Build upon existing clientele
  • Online market, new services, new technology, and of course the opening of new markets.
  • Increase in the services offered by hospitals due to the current coronavirus pandemic
Threat:
  • Loans diminish profitability until they are paid off
  • First-year will be financially tight while we gain customers and pay off loans
  • Competition in the area could increase
  • Management of employees requires time, money, and efforts
  • The transport department could change its regulatory status and decide to enforce strict regulations that can strangulate new business.
b. How Do Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Companies Make Money?

Non-emergency medical transportation companies make money by providing transportation services alongside medical care for patients.

c. Payment Options
  • Payment via bank transfer
  • Payment via credit cards
  • Payment via online bank transfer
  • Payment via check
  • Payment via mobile money transfer
  • Payment via bank draft
d. Sales & Advertising Strategies
  • Introduce your non-emergency medical transportation business by sending introductory letters alongside your brochure to hospitals, clinical labs, medical facilities, households, and key stakeholders in and around your city
  • Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in offices, libraries, public facilities, train stations et al.
  • Use friends and family to spread the word about your business
  • Post information about your company and the services you offer on bulletin boards in places like schools, libraries, and local coffee shops et al
  • Place a small or classified advertisement in the newspaper, or local publication about your company and the services you offer
  • Leverage on referral networks
  • Advertise your business in relevant health magazines, newspapers, TV, and radio stations.
  • Attend relevant expos, seminars, and business fairs et al to market your services
  • Engage in direct marketing approach
  • Encourage the use of word-of-mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied customers

Financial Projection

a. How Much Should You Charge for your Service?

Most non-emergency medical transportation companies charge hourly rates but it is important to state that the cost usually ranges from less than $400 to $1,200 or more plus mileage.

b. How Much Profit Do Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business Owners Make a Year?

It depends, but available reports show that on average, a non-emergency medical transportation company should net between $40,000 to over $60,000 per year assuming they have a steady clientele.

c. What Factors Determine the Amount of Profit to Be Made?
  • The capacity of the non-emergency medical transportation company
  • The location the non-emergency medical transportation company is covering
  • The management style of the company
  • The business approach of the non-emergency medical transportation company
  • The advertising and marketing strategies adopted by the company.
  • The number of years the company has been in business
d. What is the Profit Margin of a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Company?

The profit margin of a non-emergency medical transportation business is not fixed. It could range from 20 to 45 percent depending on the distance of the patients to be transported.

e. What is the Sales Forecast?

First Fiscal Year (FY1):

  • $100,000 (From Self – Pay Clients / Patients)
  • $250,000 (From Health Insurance Companies)

Second Fiscal Year (FY2):

  • $250,000 (From Self – Pay Clients / Patients)
  • $500,000 (From Health Insurance Companies)

Third Fiscal Year (FY3):

  • $500,000 (From Self – Pay Clients / Patients)
  • $1,000,000 (From Health Insurance Companies)
  1. Set Up your Office

a. How Do You Choose a Perfect Location for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?
  • The demography of the location especially as it relates to the number of Medicaid recipients, the elderly, those who have one form of disability or the other, etc.
  • The demand for the services offered by non-emergency medical transportation companies in the location
  • The purchasing power of residents of the location
  • Accessibility of the location
  • The number of non-emergency medical transportation companies in the location
  • The local laws and regulations in the community/state
  • Traffic, parking and security et al
b. What State and City are Best to Open a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?
  • Salt Lake City, UT
  • Saint Joseph, MO
  • Port Allen, LA
  • Rock Hill, MO
  • Atlanta, GA
  • West Sacramento, CA
  • West Chester, OH
  • Austin, Tx
  • Westbrook, ME
  • Idaho Falls, ID
c. What Equipment is Needed to Operate a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?

You should purchase ambulettes, basic CPR, and first aid equipment. You also need computers or laptops, internet facility, telephone, fax machine, and office furniture (chairs, tables, and shelves) amongst others, and all these can be gotten as fairly used.

  1. Hire Employees

When it comes to hiring employees for a standard non-emergency medical transportation business, you should make plans to hire a competent chief executive officer (you can occupy this position), admin and HR manager, transport and logistics manager, nurse aides and paramedics, marketing and sales executive (business developer), accountant, ambulette drivers, and customer service officer (receptionist).

  1. Launch the Business Proper

You can decide to open your business by organizing an opening party. You can choose to do a soft opening if you are operating on a low budget or you can go for a grand opening party. The bottom line is that with a proper launching of the non-emergency medical transportation business, you will be able to officially inform people in your city that your company is open for business.

a. What Makes a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Company Successful?
  • Choose a good location and reliable ambulette vans
  • Hire only competent, hardworking, and trustworthy staff
  • Throw a party to officially open the business
  • Be deliberate with your marketing sales approach
  • Encourage the use of word of mouth to promote your non-emergency medical transportation business
  • Leverage all available online and offline platforms to promote your non-emergency medical transportation business.
b. What Happens During a Typical Day at a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?
  • The business is open for the day’s work
  • The ambulettes are washed, cleaned, and ready for transporting patients
  • Customer’s requests are taken and they are scheduled or attended to
  • Scheduled maintenance and servicing of ambulettes are carried out
  • Marketing/website upkeep
  • Administrative duties
  • The business is closed for the day.
c. What Skills and Experience Do You Need to Build a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business?