Like you, your elderly loved ones are also getting older. Unfortunately, they won’t be able to drive themselves forever, which puts the responsibility on you to get them where they need to go. If you don’t have the time or availability to drive them places all the time, you may hire a transportation service. Believe it or not, many transport companies offer long-distance transportation options. Explore what is considered long-distance transportation to decide whether it’s the right choice for your family.
Long-Distance Standards
Interestingly, each NEMT company can have its own standards on what constitutes long-distance travel, but most agree that 200–300 miles is the minimum range for long-distance transportation. However, you’ll have to ask each individual company about their standards to find one that suits your loved one’s travel needs. Although air travel may make the trip quicker, traveling by car is often more suitable for those with existing medical conditions.
Reasons To Use NEMT for Long Trips
NEMT is an excellent service to keep in your back pocket whenever you need it, but it doesn’t just have to be an option for short distances. In fact, long-distance transportation services are incredibly useful for a variety of circumstances. Several common reasons to use NEMT for a long trip include:
- Traveling to visit family or go on a vacation
- Traveling back home after suffering an injury or flare-up while on vacation
- Transferring from one medical facility to another
- Moving to a new location
Who Is Eligible?
Fortunately, most patients are eligible for long-distance non-emergency medical transportation. However, those that require a tracheostomy or ventilator may not be the best candidates for this type of transportation. With that said, mobility issues, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart or lung conditions are the most common ailments for those who need NEMT services. Traveling by vehicle often causes much less mental and physical stress for people with existing medical concerns than flying does.
Now that you know what is considered long-distance transportation, you can make the best decision when it comes to your loved ones. Contact our team at TransMedCare if you or a loved one is in need of transportation services for distances over 300 miles. We’re here to support your family.
