Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is a growing industry. People are grabbing the opportunity to serve Medicaid beneficiaries by helping them attend medical appointments conveniently. However, anyone aspiring to be an NEMT professional must first accomplish specific requirements to qualify.
If you’re curious to know what kind of NEMT certification and training to accomplish to become a provider, read on.
How to start an NEMT business: the certifications you need
Aside from the standard business permits and licenses, an aspiring NEMT provider should also complete the following NEMT certificate, training, and documents.
1. Vehicle License and Insurance
Every NEMT business owner must ensure that their fleet and drivers meet medical transportation standards set by their state. NEMT operators need to check the following:
- The driver’s record on penalties
- Certificate on the health of the driver
- An insurance policy that covers vehicle liability
- Check on drivers’ background
- Drug test screening
Note that the automobile and liability insurance should cover both the driver and the company. This ensures that your company and staff are covered for any road accident, so you won’t have to worry about liabilities.
2. ADA certifications
All NEMT providers need to have a fleet that meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for vehicles transporting individuals with medical needs or physical disabilities. An NEMT vehicle should also have enough space for passengers’ other medical and mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, dialysis machines, and gurneys. This means that NEMT vehicles should have sufficient headroom, seating, and flooring space for passengers and their companions and equipment.
Although customizing a vehicle to meet these specifications would mean additional expense for NEMT business owners, it’s an essential investment.
3. PASS Trainer and Driver Certifications
Technically speaking, not a requirement. However, an individual needs to complete the Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) certification because it guarantees that they possess the knowledge and skills required to assist people with needs efficiently. The certificate shows that your staff knows how to handle special-needs passengers and they have received sufficient education to appropriately respond to emergencies during transport.
4. Transport Specialist Certification
The first body to create a program for NEMT professionals is the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Commission or NEMTAC. They established the Certified Transport Specialist (CTS) certification, the first-ever nationally-accredited NEMT certification program. It ensures that providers have completed NEMT training for non-medical transportation services.
Although not a requirement, having this certification ensures that your fleet members possess the skills required to provide clients with optimal assistance and to meet industry standards.
Establish Your NEMT Business Without Hassle
Having your own business and helping the community need not be two different things. You can achieve both when you start an NEMT business. By securing NEMT certification requirements, including permits, training, and insurance, among other business documents, you can establish your own business with little to no hiccups. What’s more, you can proudly show clients that you are the NEMT professional they can rely on. In addition to NEMT certification you should also choose the advanced NEMT software to bring technology to your non-emergency medical transportation business. Contact our NEMT experts to see how RouteGenie can help you today.
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