Local and long distance non-emergency transportation throughout both North and South Carolina!

The demand for wheelchair and non-emergency stretcher transportation is rapidly growing across the Carolinas, largely due to the aging population and the rising number of individuals with mobility challenges. Both states are experiencing a significant increase in residents aged 65 and older, many of whom require transportation to and from hospitals, doctor appointments, rehabilitation centers, and dialysis clinics. This demographic shift, combined with the high prevalence of chronic health conditions, has created a steady and urgent need for reliable non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services, particularly those equipped for wheelchair and stretcher-bound patients.

Hospitals, emergency rooms, and skilled nursing facilities in both North Carolina and South Carolina are increasingly facing challenges in securing timely and dependable transportation for patient discharges. Discharges often qualify as “urgent” under state Medicaid rules, meaning patients must be picked up within a narrow time frame, typically within three hours. However, many NEMT providers require advance scheduling, and there simply aren’t enough transport companies equipped to meet the urgent demand. As a result, patients are left waiting in hospital beds long after they are medically cleared, which clogs emergency departments and slows down new admissions. This inefficiency not only increases operational costs for healthcare facilities but also creates frustration for patients and caregivers.

The situation is even more strained in rural areas, where the availability of NEMT providers is limited and transportation options are few. Facilities in these regions often rely on a small number of transportation vendors, leading to frequent delays and unmet transport requests. In South Carolina, the lack of comprehensive legal protections and insurance options for volunteer drivers further discourages the development of community-based transportation programs, leaving significant gaps in service. In both states, Medicaid covers NEMT for eligible patients, but the reimbursement rates are often low, and providers may be hesitant to accept Medicaid-only clients due to financial constraints.

For individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid, paying privately for transportation is the only option. However, private-pay services can be costly, inconsistent, and unregulated, placing a heavy burden on seniors and families who live on fixed incomes. Hospitals and facilities are frequently left to coordinate these rides themselves, consuming valuable administrative time and resources. Moreover, patients who miss scheduled transports often delay or entirely skip follow-up appointments, leading to worse health outcomes and increased reliance on emergency services.

The lack of reliable wheelchair and stretcher transportation has a cascading effect on the healthcare system. Emergency departments become overcrowded as discharged patients wait for rides, hospital beds remain occupied by non-acute patients, and staff must divert attention from clinical responsibilities to arrange transportation. These delays not only increase hospital costs but also compromise the efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery.