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15 Best Types of Wheelchair for NEMT

If you are looking towards starting a NEMT business (non-emergency medical transportation), one piece of equipment you will need very much is a wheelchair. Different patients have varying physical needs, and for this reason, you need to consider which type of wheelchair operation best suits your business.

Getting reliable wheelchairs for your NEMT business will help you maximize profits from the business, be efficient, well-organized, and of course, cut down on possible causalities on transit. The truth is that if you don’t have reliable wheelchairs as a NEMT operator, you will find it difficult to effectively run the business.

Having said that, considering the number of options on the market, shopping for the best wheelchairs for the NEMT business can be challenging and time-consuming. In no particular order, here are 15 of the best wheelchairs for NEMT.

Best Wheelchairs for NEMT

  1. Medline Lightweight Transport Wheelchair with Handbrakes

Top on our list of the best wheelchair for a NEMT business is Medline Lightweight Transport Wheelchair with Handbrakes. This chair comes equipped with loop-lock handbrakes that are easy to operate and ideal for locking the rear wheels during transfers.

Medline Lightweight Transport Wheelchair with Handbrakes also has a seatbelt that keeps the passenger securely in place and it is compact when folded, making it easy to lift into a car or carry up the stairs. Weighs just 23.5 pounds, it is equipped with a seat belt, comfortable nylon upholstery, full-length permanent armrest, and detachable footrests.

  1. Drive Medical EXP19LTBL Lightweight Wheelchair with Hand Brakes

Another solid wheelchair you should consider for your NEMT business is the Drive Medical EXP19LTBL wheelchair. Drive Medical’s Lightweight Expedition Transport Wheelchair weighs an impressively low 19lbs, yet it is expertly designed to safely and effectively support up to 300lbs.

Featuring 12″ rear flat tires that can navigate both indoor and outdoor terrain, the aluminum Expedition is versatile and reliable.

Easy to use companion-activated wheel locks and seatbelts ensure safety, while a simple lever on the chair back allows for quick, flat transport and storage. The lowest part of the footrest should not be less than 2 1/2 inches from the ground to permit proper clearance.

Please note that wheelchairs with electrical plugs are designed for use in the US. Outlets and voltage differ internationally and this product may require an adapter or converter for use in your destination. Please check compatibility before purchasing.

  1. Carex Transport Wheelchair

Carex Transport Wheelchair, a portable wheelchair that folds is yet another highly reliable wheelchair you can use for a NEMT business. The Transport Chair features adjustable swing-away removable footrests. The wheelchair has a sturdy steel frame that folds and is portable for travel, shopping, or everyday life.

With a 19-inch seat, Carex Transport Wheelchair provides a comfortable drive. The secure belt makes that ride safer. Whether you’re recovering from surgery or have a chronic medical condition the chair transports you safely & comfortably.

  1. Drive Medical Deluxe Lightweight Aluminum Transport Wheelchair

Another solid and durable wheelchair that you should consider for your NEMT business is the Drive Medical Deluxe Lightweight Aluminum Transport Wheelchair. The aluminum frame of this wheelchair is lightweight (Weighs only 19 lbs) and strong; Nylon upholstery is comfortable, lightweight, and easy to clean.

Drive Medical Deluxe Lightweight Aluminum Transport Wheelchairs are lightweight and maintenance-free. An aluminum cast back-release hinge allows the back to fold down for easy storage and transport. Padded armrests provide additional comfort and they come with a seat belt for added safety.

  1. Vive Mobility Folding Transport Wheelchair

Vive Mobility Folding Transport Wheelchair is yet another durable and reliable wheelchair to consider if you want to start a NEMT business. This Foldable Transport Wheelchair easily moves patients or loved ones around the home.

Safely supporting up to 300 pounds, the durable wheelchair features a wide, 19” seat and a padded backrest and armrests for exceptional comfort. The transport chair features two folding points to fold flat for compact storage and easy transportation in most vehicles.

Vive Mobility Folding Transport Wheelchair is constructed with durable aluminum, the wheelchair includes 12-inch tires and dual hand brakes for greater stability and safety on any surface.

The Vive Mobility foldable wheelchair features a wide 19” seat, padded armrests, a quick-release seat belt, and a breathable, padded backrest. The transport chair is easy to maneuver both indoors and out with large, 12-inch rear tires for greater stability.

  1. UU-ZHANG Portable Folding Wheelchair

Another best wheelchair that is suitable for a NEMT business is UU-ZHANG Portable Folding Wheelchair. This portable wheelchair is a perfect travel wheelchair because it is easy to fold and fits easily into the trunk of a car. It can be carried onboard an airplane.

One good feature that makes this wheelchair stand out is its aluminum alloy foot pedal: It is welded by a manipulator and has a strong load-bearing capacity. The foot pedal can be folded upward too.

  1. Invacare 9000 XT High-Performance Wheelchair

Invacare 9000 XT is yet another trusted wheelchair in the market that anyone considering starting a NEMT business should consider. This is so because the Invacare 9000 XT Wheelchair is a high performance, low maintenance, and low total lifetime cost product.

The 9000 XT wheelchair is simply the most versatile lightweight wheelchair available from Invacare, boasting an extensive offering of frame styles, seat-to-floor heights, back styles, widths, depths, frame colors, and a wide range of options and accessories. The 9000 XT wheelchair components are interchangeable with all other 9000 series and Invacare Tracer series chairs.

  1. Healva Transport Wheelchair

Healva Transport Wheelchair is yet another durable wheelchair to consider if you want to start a NEMT business. Healva Transport Wheelchair comes equipped with handbrakes that are easy to operate and ideal for locking the rear wheels during transfers.

It also has a seatbelt that keeps the passenger securely and it is compact when folded, easy to lift into a car or aircraft luggage rack. Weighs just 14 pounds with comfortable nylon upholstery that can be taken off for cleaning, permanent armrest, and footrests.

Healva Transport Wheelchair can also pass through narrow aisles and can be folded in the luggage rack. The backrest can be removed and cleaned and comes with a seat belt for added safety. This portable wheelchair is a perfect travel wheelchair because it is easily foldable and fits easily in the trunk of your car.

  1. Hi-Fortune Magnesium Wheelchair

Another highly reliable and affordable wheelchair suitable for a NEMT business is Hi-Fortune Magnesium Wheelchair. Hi-Fortune Magnesium Wheelchair is no doubt one of the lightest wheelchairs you can buy! A strong magnesium alloy frame provides stability while remaining lightweight.

Great for all kinds of travel, it can be easily checked on the airplane and loaded aboard in the cargo compartment The wheelchair is equipped with a convenient hand strap that allows you to easily move the folded wheelchair. You can carry it in the trunk.

It has a non-slip rubber material design with convenient top handbrakes that make it easy to control speed. Hi-Fortune Magnesium Wheelchair durable and lightweight nylon upholstery looks great and is easy to clean, and also has a built-in seat belt for additional safety.

  1. Magnesium Alloy Wheelchair

Magnesium Alloy Wheelchair is yet another durable and reliable wheelchair to consider if you want to start a NEMT business. The reinforced frame is made of ultra-light magnesium alloy. It is simple to maneuver and designed to be easily folded by the hand.

The back of the wheelchair can also be folded. Magnesium Alloy Wheelchair adopt low resistance PU integrated wheels, wear-resistant, and labor-saving. Rear wheels adopt magnesium alloy thickened solid tires, stable and durable, not easy to deform and puncture.

The removable thick sponge breathable cushion gives you a comfortable experience in four seasons. The removable armrest makes it easy to get in or out of the wheelchair. It also has a small travel bag for your convenience.

  1. yuwell Ultra Lightweight Transport Wheelchair 

Another highly reliable and affordable wheelchair suitable for a NEMT business is yuwell Ultra Lightweight Transport Wheelchair. This product is conveniently portable even on special occasions such as in air, on a train, or in the boot.

It is easy for the old to travel indoors and outdoors. It is the perfect choice for them to pay a visit to the hospital or dining hall or their relatives. The backrest can be fixed by pressing the spiral -ripple pin button. Please ensure the safety button function well before usage.

  1. Circle Specialty Ziggo Pro 14″ Reclining Manual Wheelchair for Kids, Young Adults

Ziggo Pro 14″ Reclining Manual Wheelchair is no doubt a reliable wheelchair that anyone who wants to start a NEMT business should consider. Ziggo Pro is a lightweight wheelchair designed for kids and young adults. Its foldable design makes it easy to carry and store. Designed with an eye-catching colored steel frame.

Ziggo Pro Wheelchair includes many qualities of life-enhancing features. A reclining back with infinite adjustments up to 180º. It has a dual axle for seat-to-floor height adjustability. It’s built with anti-tippers that prevent tipping when in recline positions or when tilting the chair to go over a curb.

Enhanced with a back stabilizing bar, quick release rear wheel feature, and pelvic belt with a secure buckle. Designed to meet the individual’s needs, the Ziggo Pro provides flexibility for angled and positional changes. You can recline at progressive angles, and it supports safe transfers.

  1. WGLAWL Folding Transport Wheelchair

Another highly reliable and affordable wheelchair suitable for a NEMT business is WGLAWL Folding Transport Wheelchair. The transport wheelchair uses a reinforced aluminum alloy frame, which is stable and light and is equipped with a safety belt to improve safety.

WGLAWL Folding Transport Wheelchair is made of honeycomb hollow design, which is breathable and comfortable to sit for a long time. The portable wheelchair is easy to fold and can be easily put into the trunk of the car. You can take it on the plane too.

  1. LVQING Foldable Wheelchairs

LVQING Foldable Wheelchairs is yet another durable and reliable wheelchair to consider if you want to start a NEMT business. This portable wheelchair is a perfect travel wheelchair because it is easy to fold and fits easily into the trunk of a car.

It can be carried onboard an airplane. The portable wheelchair adopts a special tower-shaped three-dimensional design structure to make the occupants safer and can support up to 220 pounds.

These self-propelled wheelchairs use a thicker aluminum alloy frame, which is lighter in weight, can be lifted with one hand, and can be walked more freely with one hand. The new brake car lock system is stylish, light, comfortable, and labor-saving. Pulling the handle lightly is the brake and car lock mode. Lift the small handle to unlock it easily, making it more convenient to use.

  1. Everest & Jennings Advantage LX Wheelchair

Lastly, another highly reliable and affordable wheelchair suitable for a NEMT business is Everest & Jennings Advantage LX Wheelchair. This wheelchair provides comfort and durability at an affordable price. Designed as a low-maintenance everyday wheelchair, it offers an attractive silvervine durable hammerstone steel finish.

Everest & Jennings Advantage LX Wheelchair is one of the most recognized brands of manual and power wheelchairs worldwide, Everest & Jennings invented the folding wheelchair. Today, E&J offers a complete wheelchair product line, including manual and power wheelchairs, seat cushions, and accessories.