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What is Medical Transport?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Medical transport can refer to numerous types of transportation and transportation companies that serve those who are ill. Some of these companies only transport people in emergency situations. Helicopters and ambulances that get gravely ill people to hospitals in a hurry usually don’t require any advanced thinking on the part of the sick person. Merely calling emergency services will bring an ambulance quickly so people are transported to hospitals and quick medical care.

There are lots of times though, when people need transportation in non-emergency settings, but have medical conditions that would make it impossible to drive or use public transportation. Alternately some may need to get somewhere at a significant distance for specialized care. Plenty of private companies are available to provide these types of services.

Ambulances are the quickest and most commonly used medical transportation service.
Ambulances are the quickest and most commonly used medical transportation service.

A number of medical transport businesses exist that can get people to the medical care they need by a variety of means. Some companies offer airplane transport and a few even have their own planes. Others offer medical escorts so people take a standard flight. A lot of companies have either ambulances or vans that could take people, who have mobility issues or who are bed-ridden, to hospitals or doctors appointments. Some people even need medical transport if they’re injured away from home, perhaps wheelchair-bound, and can’t get home by driving.

Ambulances are equipped with EMTs.
Ambulances are equipped with EMTs.

A lot of the time people will have to pay significant amounts for non-emergency medical transport. Under a few circumstances where disability exists, insurance or plans like Medicare pick up the cost. Another way people might find reduced costs is by looking for low-cost or charitable agencies that offer medical transport. The majority of the free agencies are offered to children and intended for children and possibly their families to get to hospitals that provide specialized types of care. A number of Internet sites have full listings of which charities are available.

A helicopter may be used during medical transport.
A helicopter may be used during medical transport.

In the main, however, medical transport is a for-profit business, and prices can be high to use it. There are even websites devoted to the subject of how people can begin their own transportation businesses and “make millions!” In light of the enthusiasm for the profit aspects of the industry, people would do well to determine which companies seem most professional and trained.

Some wheelchair-bound people may require medical transport.
Some wheelchair-bound people may require medical transport.

Good questions include whether those doing the transporting have any medical training. Most ambulance companies employ emergency medical technicians, but it isn’t the case that a company providing medical transport vans will necessarily do the same. It’s best to choose those companies with employees who would know how to take the appropriate actions if a medical condition suddenly deteriorates.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WikiMotors contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WikiMotors contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon959842

In a non-emergency (if it is not a life threatening ) case, if you need help right away, then you would call for ambulance. But if you have an appointment and you don't have a ride, and you have health insurance, you can call for medical transport and they will just charge your insurance. Do you understand now?

anon309104

In what case would it be best to contact medical transportation rather than the regular ambulance?

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    • Ambulances are the quickest and most commonly used medical transportation service.
      By: maxim1804
      Ambulances are the quickest and most commonly used medical transportation service.
    • Ambulances are equipped with EMTs.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Ambulances are equipped with EMTs.
    • A helicopter may be used during medical transport.
      By: meoita
      A helicopter may be used during medical transport.
    • Some wheelchair-bound people may require medical transport.
      By: auremar
      Some wheelchair-bound people may require medical transport.
    • Some medical transport companies only transport patients in emergency situations.
      By: corepics
      Some medical transport companies only transport patients in emergency situations.
    • Medical transport may be needed for someone who has passed out.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      Medical transport may be needed for someone who has passed out.
    • Bed-ridden people may require medical transport to doctors appointments.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Bed-ridden people may require medical transport to doctors appointments.