Medical Transportation Trends to Focus on in 2022
2022 is almost here, and with a new calendar year comes new opportunities for your non-emergency medical transportation business. We know that trends are constantly evolving, so business owners have to stay on top of new and emerging ideas to make sure their company stays relevant. NEMT providers have a host of opportunities on the horizon. As we continue to navigate the pandemic and make changes to help clients feel as comfortable as possible, providers can alter their businesses in new and exciting ways. We broke down some of the biggest emerging medical transportation trends, so you can plan for the New Year and develop your business goals.
To check our post with healthtech trends for 2023 please head to our new post!
Put Public Health First
Covid-19 has changed the way we travel, and chances are it’s going to continue having an impact on transportation through 2022. This gives your business a variety of new trip opportunities, however. Since Covid-19 vaccine boosters are seeing approval across the US, individuals will be seeking their next dose well into the new year, and if they need a ride, your business can step in to do the job. Beyond that, when flu season hits, you can make sure your clients and everyone in the local area know that you offer transportation to vaccination sites.
Focus on Private Pay Clients
All customers are good for your business, but private pay clients will get your profits higher faster. Once you’ve developed good broker partnerships that will guarantee you regular trip opportunities, it’s time to shift your focus to private pay customers. Private pay customers pay out of pocket, which means you set your own rates. Depending on where you operate, Medicaid reimbursement rates may change for the better or for the worse. But if you have private pay clients in your queue, you know you’ll make the money you need to keep operating. Figure out why potential clients need rides in your specific area, then advertise your service to attract them.
Hire a Dedicated Team
Hiring in any field has become a huge hurdle for employers. While employees become more particular on what kind of role they want for themselves, employers must work even harder to appeal to dedicated workers. Whether people are turned off by essential roles due to pandemic reasons, or they simply are reconsidering what they want to do workwise, there’s still a shortage of drivers out there, so you need to have a plan to secure reliable, experienced ones as soon as you find them. According to one website, one of the best ways to attract drivers is with a competitive employee package, including an attractive salary, bonuses, PTO, and other perks. While your drivers may be contracted and Medicaid may dictate what you pay them, it’s important to start looking for ways around this by shifting your business model—otherwise, you risk losing out on good employees.
Invest in Modern NEMT Software
Finding the right software for your business remains to be one of the best ways to set yourself apart from other businesses. It simplifies your scheduling, routing, dispatching, and billing, reduces errors, and saves you time and money overall. If you’re still using a system from 5 years ago that’s only undergone minimal updates, it’s time to find a modern solution. Make this a priority in 2022, and you’ll quickly see the difference it makes at your business.
Offer Long-Distance Travel
You probably operate within specific city or town limits for simplified planning and logistics purposes, but it may be time to rethink that. If you have the capability, offering long-distance NEMT services can be a huge draw for passengers who need that type of transportation in your area. Plus, chances are if you’re dealing with competition in your local area, they may only offer local travel—so long-distance trips can set you apart.
Keep Your Eyes Open for New Opportunities
If there’s anything we’ve learned from these last couple of years, it’s that things can change on a dime. We all hope a new pandemic doesn’t emerge, but the truth is, we don’t know what may come of Covid-19 in the coming year. The Covid-19 pandemic brought about a new opportunity to transport passengers to testing and vaccination sites, so it’s important to watch out for any future opportunities that may arise and take advantage of them.
The Future is Bright
A new year is a chance to create new goals. As a business, it’s the time to assess your structure, short and long-term goals, and financial circumstances. As you look toward the new year, keep these trends in mind and be mindful of emerging ones, too. In the meantime, if you’re looking to upgrade your medical transportation software, get in touch with the experts at iSi Technology to book your free demo!
