Introduction
Those who require transportation to medical appointments but lack access to public transit are given non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). Over 200 million NEMT journeys are reportedly made in the US each year as a result of the rising demand for NEMT services. In this post, we’ll look at what NEMT is, how many trips it makes annually, and the factors that influence NEMT usage in various states.
What is NEMT?
For those who are unable to use public transportation owing to a medical condition, non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) offers transportation services. Usually, hospitals, ambulance services, and other private transportation businesses offer these services. NEMT provides services such as stretcher-equipped vehicles, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and ambulances for people who require more urgent medical attention.
How many journeys does NEMT make annually?
The size of the area population, the accessibility of public transportation, the prevalence of chronic conditions, and the number of healthcare providers are all factors that influence the number of NEMT trips annually. NEMT services are used for an estimated 200 million journeys each year in the US on average. Because of variations in population size, public transit accessibility, and quality, the number of NEMT journeys varies across states.
For instance, California, with its sizable population and vast public transportation system, has the most NEMT journeys each year, totaling over 53 million. Due to their huge populations and high rates of chronic diseases, other states with high NEMT trips include Texas and Florida. States with smaller populations, such as Wyoming and Vermont, on the other hand, have fewer NEMT excursions, with an estimated 10–20,000 trips annually.
Conclusion
Almost 200 million NEMT journeys are typically taken in the US annually. Using NEMT services provides a number of advantages, including improving access to healthcare for those without reliable mobility and lowering the financial burden of healthcare on individuals and families. It is crucial to remember that the number of NEMT journeys differs between states depending on things like population density and accessibility to public transit.