Medical Transportation Trends for 2024
The medical transportation industry is ever-changing and will continue to do so in 2024.
The global healthcare transportation services were worth close to $93.21 billion in 2022 and are expected to grow to $155.78 billion by 2030.
There are two major types of medical transportation: emergency and non-emergency. Both are critical for patient care, and improvements in both sectors will only benefit the healthcare industry as a whole.
Emergency and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
Before we delve into the future of medical transportation, let us first tackle the differences between the two modes of healthcare transportation.
Emergency Medical Transportation
As the name implies, vehicles that provide this type of service are used in health emergencies. They are critical in life-and-death situations and are equipped with advanced lifesaving tools.
Basic Life Support Transportation
Emergency vehicles have advanced equipment that certified medical personnel can use to keep patients in stable condition on their way to the hospital. There are also basic medical test kits to track critical vitals while in transit. The tests will tell emergency personnel how to treat the patient in the short term.
Advanced Life Support Transportation
Advanced medical support, such as heart paddles, heart monitoring equipment, IV units, and more, are critical for emergency care. Highly trained paramedics are on board to administer the needed medical support to keep the patient stable before reaching the emergency room.
Critical Care Transportation
Registered nurses are taken onboard for critical care transportation to ensure the patient remains stable.
Neonatal Intensive Care Transport
This service is specifically for newborns who need to be transferred to specialized facilities for intensive care support.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
Some people need specialized transportation to go to their non-urgent medical appointments. Because these are not emergencies, they will not be taken on ambulances.
There are different types of NEMT, catering to various needs:
Ambulatory Service
People with special needs or senior citizens who don’t need mobility assistance can use standard ambulatory services.
Wheelchair Service
These NEMT vehicles have functionalities for patients in wheelchairs. There is a mechanism to lift and roll the wheelchair into the vehicle.
Stretcher Service
Some patients need stretchers when being transported, and they need vehicles that can accommodate their needs. In some cases, NEMT companies will provide the stretcher.
Couriers
These are vehicles for ferrying human organs, sensitive biological packages, and other such medical items.
Medical Transportation in 2024
So, what is the future of medical transportation? In 2022, the trend was an offshoot of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the public became even more health conscious. It is one of the reasons that private pay clients have increased.
In 2023, healthcare transport trends centered on the use of technology. The same will carry on through 2024, as the world population becomes more and more tech-savvy. Integrating cutting-edge technology in medical transport and healthcare as a whole will lead to streamlined operations and better patient care.
Here are some of these future trends in healthcare transportation:
Global Growth of NEMT
NEMT is widely used in the United States because of Medicaid. The government program compels states to provide the appropriate vehicles for beneficiaries to get to their appointments—hence, the NEMT system was born.
In 2024, we can expect NEMT growth to encompass the rest of the world as billions of people remain conscious about their health. NEMT was worth $8.6 billion globally in 2021, with a potential to double in 2028.
Technological Innovations
Healthcare software has always been an essential part of NEMT processes, and each year, more and more innovations emerge to benefit the industry. In 2023, there has been a focus on the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve services and prevent fraudulent activities.
More innovations are expected in 2024 and beyond to provide better and better services to passengers, leading to even more trips and higher profits.
Driver Behavior Monitoring System
The wide use of video surveillance has had a massive impact on public behavior. The public has become more aware of unsavory things that happen when people think no one is watching.
This applies to healthcare transportation, too. These days, most vehicles are equipped with robust monitoring systems to ensure providers that their drivers are always on their best behavior. If not, the medical transportation company can immediately take action.
This is also for the benefit of drivers in case there are disputes or complaints against them. The system can provide objective evidence, no matter the situation.
Drivers are as important as the vehicle when it comes to healthcare transportation. They should be well-trained and qualified for the position to ensure the company’s good reputation and the best care for passengers. Driver behavior monitoring tools also can help you save on NEMT insurance.
Integrations
The best NEMT software provides critical integrations to make business operations more efficient. It’s not possible to have one software cover every aspect. That’s why integration is crucial and good software should be integrated with other systems. It can be a calling system to allow automated calls and notifications, or it can be integrated with a broker – to get trip updates instantly and to import trips, or integration with clearinghouses to bill claims, etc. ISI Technology builds solutions that are flexible and integrate with all crucial services to make sure you can get everything in one user interface without switching between different products.
Conclusion
2024 is just around the corner, and the healthcare transportation industry is expected to be bigger than ever. The future of medical transportation is bright, with many expected technological innovations and integrations to improve patient care.
More people would be enticed to use these services, and the industry will continue to grow as providers expand their reach.