Transportation for Special Circumstances

Transportation for Special Circumstances

"The Lord shall help them and deliver them:" (Psalms 31)

Ground Transportation

Non-emergency “ambulance” services are generally known as “non-emergency medical transportation” or NEMT. Note that many NEMT services can cost more than $1,000 for a trip. Two of the companies below focus on long-distance travel.

Another way to look for transportation options is to do an internet search on these phrases: Non-emergency medical transportation in your zip code • NEMT in your zip code • Non-emergency local medical transportation in your zip code • Non-emergency long-distance medical transportation.

Explain to the dispatcher the type of accommodation you need (e.g., sitting up in a wheelchair or lying down), your destination, and clarify whether you do or do not require [medical] nursing care while en route. Some services allow a Christian Science nurse to ride along as a companion.

The descriptions below are taken from the providers’ websites. Experiences can vary by locality, so your feedback to RiperYears.org is appreciated.

MTM —Founded in 1995, MTM is an experienced non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) broker. Each year, MTM’s customer service centers handle more than 7.5 million calls and strive to maintain high customer satisfaction rates. With headquarters in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, they operate in 31 states and the District of Columbia and maintain call centers and offices across the United States.  Email: tphelpdesk@mtm-inc.net
mtm-inc.net

ACC Medlink  (800-550-1025) — ACC Medlink’s non-emergency medical transport services are provided by knowledgeable staff members who are prepared to provide transportation services, and to assist with necessary requirements of patients who must travel long distances. ACC Medlink is a leader in long-distance senior transportation (minimum 200 miles). The organization says they “provide excellent patient care and go the extra mile to make sure that our elderly patients are comfortable and safe.”
medic-trans.com

United Med Transportation (901-676-7226) — United MedTrans specializes in long-distance medical transportation services in all states. They emphasize compassionate care, safety, comfort, and affordability — and explain that they use Mercedes Sprinters. Their medical escort nurses are available for the entire trip.
unitedmedtransusa.com

Air Transportation

There are several organizations which can provide long-distance transportation by air, often supported by volunteers at little to no cost.  Although usually framed as “medical transportation” or something similar, these organizations may also respond to needs involving Christian Science nursing, if asked. There are more options if the individual is able to sit up and is ambulatory, but the last resource also provides help for those who are non-ambulatory. For ambulatory individuals, it is also possible to take a commercial flight, perhaps accompanied by a Christian Science nurse.

Air Care Alliance — The Air Care Alliance is a network of organizations across the US which provide “public benefit flying,” a term which covers many services, including access to health care. Volunteer pilots for these organizations provide free, private air transportation to help ensure patients can access the care they need.
Air Care Alliance

Wings Flights of Hope (716-667-0816) — With a mission of “Helping people in need of free air transportation for medical and humanitarian purposes,” Wings Flights of Hope flies out of Buffalo, NY to various locations throughout the Northeast section of the US. The most common destinations they fly to are New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland.
Wings Flights of Hope

Angel Flight — This non-profit charitable organization pulls together pilots, volunteers, and friends to serve the heartland area of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas. They can arrange free air transportation for any legitimate, charitable, health-related need. This service is available to individuals and to health care organizations.
Angel Flight

Wings of Hope (800-448-9487 or (636-537-1302) — The Wings of Hope Medical Relief & Air Transport (MAT) Program provides medical air transport services.  Using aircraft specially outfitted with stretchers to accommodate non-ambulatory patients, Wings of Hope flies individuals to locations within a 600-mile radius of their St. Louis headquarters.
Wings of Hope