Coordinated Transportation Solutions (CTS), a nationally recognized non-profit leader in non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), announces four key principles for ensuring that patients in need of non-emergency transportation to medical care and other services are able to obtain the support they need.

CTS is a trusted industry leader with 28 years of experience, delivering over three million rides in 2024 alone.  CTS’ mission is to ensure people have the right resources to get to where they want to go, as well as helping the healthcare industry understand the unique factors that make equitable access to care difficult.

“Even medical professionals may not consider how a lack of reliable transportation can preclude underserved communities from getting the care they need,” said Miguel McInnis, President, and CEO of Coordinated Transportation Solutions. “Doctors, for example, may refer a patient to a specialist and assume that this alone gives them access to lifesaving services. But what happens when the patient has no way to get to the appointment?” 

The location of a particular doctor may limit access if a patient does not have a vehicle or the office is not close enough to public transportation, and this is the crucial role CTS and the non-emergency medical transportation industry in general provides for communities.

The following are four key points critical to successfully serving the NEMT community and ensuring equitable access to care.

Key Point One: Creating Comfort and Community

Providing true access to care is more than offering a ride; it is the ability to accommodate people in different situations, so they always feel comfortable during the trip regardless of age, ability, weight, or other factors. This increases access to care because when people do not feel comfortable during their trips to the doctor, they will simply avoid them.

Key Point Two: Clarifying the Impact of Cuts

Budget cuts to Medicaid and other programs are likely to impact individuals’ access to care due to more stringent eligibility requirements. As more individuals no longer qualify for transportation benefits from Medicaid, states will bear more of that pressure and their costs are going to expand. This will particularly have impact on those in states that have balanced budget requirements in their constitution. Those with health benefits but no access to transportation will still be at risk for not getting the health care they need.

Key Point Three: Combating Counterfeit Claims

The NEMT industry has the data to identify where the system could be taken advantage of. This allows providers to identify program benefits which are better and more equitable for everyone, while eliminating opportunities for waste or financial abuse.

Key Point Four: Changing the Access Conversation

NEMT providers can lead the conversation about healthcare access because of the distinct role the industry plays. NEMT providers see access issues play out every day and understand the social determinants of health that come into play. By changing the access conversation, industry can discover more proactive and creative ways to ensure everyone gets access to the care they deserve.