OSF HealthCare

Randall Wilson

Healthcare organizations are focusing more on digitizing their operations to prevent fraud and provide better care to patients.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) has surged in popularity in recent years, owing partly to an increase in elders living longer lives and the costs associated with missed medical visits. It costs billions of dollars per year, contributing to our healthcare system's drain. NEMT transports people to doctors' offices, dialysis centers, imaging centers, and various other healthcare locations. NEMT is the only alternative for many people who do not have access to a mobility conversion van. Having an attendant who can assist patients with mobility challenges and providing wheelchair-accessible transportation is frequently the only method for those patients to see their doctor.

Why use technology for NEMT?

Until recently, telephones and fax machines were being used to book transport appointments by NEMT providers. But it opened up ways for medical frauds, missed appointments, skyrocketing healthcare costs, and other costs that another provider would offer for the same service. The new system relies on software and smartphone apps to manage NEMT service scheduling and payment. These tools and software provide precise time stamps of actual pickup and drop-off times, making charging more accurate and convenient for everyone.

Many healthcare providers and organizations are now focusing on digitizing their processes in order to reduce fraud and ensure accurate and reliable billing. There is also new dispatch software for patients who require non-emergency medical transportation that helps at all levels of operational care.

New technology benefits all

With the stroke of a button, NEMT clinicians can now plan and schedule all patient journeys. They can keep track of excursions, drivers, and vehicles that are appropriate for the patient's needs. Billing and communication between drivers and patients are also aided by this technology.

Drivers can also receive real-time patient transportation requests, allowing them to change their routes and schedules to match the patients' pickup and drop-off demands. It leads to improved patient health and decreased overall expenditures for everyone. Medical transportation for patients leaving the hospital, as well as regular appointments such as cancer treatment, physical therapy, clinical trials, and many more, are all aided by healthcare logistics software.

Due to the new technology that works using GPS technology, patients can access NEMT apps effortlessly. Patients can request medical transportation quickly, just within a few clicks from their mobile devices.

Faster and precise process

Streamlining the claims and billing process is another key benefit of new NEMT technology. It will assist NEMT providers in improving service while increasing revenue per vehicle hour. It will result in a speedier and more accurate process since it will match transportation supply with the needs of patients who require non-emergency medical transportation.