Non-Emergency Medical Transportation: A Cost-Prohibitive, Yet Essential Service

When it comes to non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) in long-term care, many facility administrators find themselves paying an arm and a leg. This was certainly the case for Brian Murphy during his time as the Executive Director of Mountain View Care Center, a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in Tuscon, AZ. His costs were high and his residents were being transported via gurney rather than in a comfortable transport wheelchair.

Brian Murphy, Executive Director

“Transport was costing our facility hundreds of dollars for a one-way trip. With many residents needing multiple trips, the price made it cost-prohibitive for our facility to offer this service.”

– Brian Murphy, Executive Director
Mountain View Care Center

Despite the cost, some trips, such as doctor’s appointments, are medically necessary and a frequent need for the proper care of facility residents. With staffing issues and financial difficulties in a post-pandemic climate, many nursing and long-term care facilities struggle to keep their transportation budget manageable. 

The Solution: Broda Wheelchairs

Mountain View Care Center struggled with these problems until Brian discovered Broda. Broda wheelchairs have many features that make them ideal for NEMT, such as:

Cost Savings with Broda

Using a Broda wheelchair for your facility’s transport can lead to significant cost savings that administrators can’t afford to ignore. With a cost of around $6,000* USD per wheelchair, they may seem like a large upfront investment. However, when compared to the cost of gurneys and other transport options, they quickly become cost-effective. Before purchasing the Synthesis Transport Wheelchair, Mountain View Care Center was contracting with other companies to pick up residents for 150+ trips each month. With this solution, they were spending an average of $12,000 per month on transportation alone. That comes out to an astonishing $144,000 each year in outsourced transportation. Now, they’re able to transport the residents themselves without having to rely on a third party.

“I reduced our transport expense by $9,000 per month. The Synthesis Transport Wheelchair is easy to use, secure, and versatile…It paid for itself within a month!”

 – Brian Murphy, Executive Director
Mountain View Care Center

With these results, Brian highly recommends Broda for facilities that need to save money in this area. “For a long-term investment, it’s a no-brainer.” Using Broda wheelchairs to transport your own residents to their doctor’s appointments, dialysis treatments, and hospital discharges can result in a substantial return on investment.

*The cost of a Broda wheelchair varies by configuration and supplier. Price can be affected by federal and state reimbursement programs. Please contact Broda to receive an exact, personalized quote.

Safety & Comfort on the Go

In addition to the cost savings, using Broda wheelchairs lessens the risk of injuries during transit. Broda transport wheelchairs are WC19 certified 2 and have built-in fall prevention features, such as tilt, adjustable upper lateral shoulder supports, and a seatbelt. The wheelchair’s narrow width makes it easy to maneuver in and out of transport vans and doorways, while our one-of-a-kind Comfort Tension Seating surface molds to the resident’s body, ensuring they stay comfortable during travel. Broda transport wheelchairs can lessen liability. With the tie-down straps and seatbelt, you can know your residents are secure during transit.

Ease of Use

One of the best things about Broda wheelchairs is how easy they are to use. Staff can transfer residents from their beds to their Broda wheelchairs without needing many people for support. Because the chair is so easy to maneuver, you can decrease staff injuries when transferring residents. These wheelchairs are easily wheeled into a transport-capable van with WC18 certified3 wheelchair occupant restraint systems (WTORS) and clip easily to the securement brackets on the floor of the vehicle. Once they arrive at their destination, a transfer is not usually needed. The resident can remain in the Broda wheelchair for the entire duration of their appointment or activity, increasing comfort and satisfaction for the resident, family, and care team.

Transportation is essential for long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Broda wheelchairs offer a safe, cost-effective, and practical solution for non-emergency medical transportation. Ready to maximize your savings on NEMT? Contact Broda today to see how much your facility could be saving.

Want more information about providing safe non-emergency medical transportation? Check out our Wheelchair Transportation Safety Checklist!

All WC19 Certified Wheelchairs from Broda

References

  1. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2014). Are we ready for this change? AHRQ. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/hospital/resource/pressureulcer/tool/pu1.html
  2. University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. (n.d.). WC19: Wheelchairs. WC Transportation Safety.
  3. University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. (n.d.). WC18: WTORS. WC Transportation Safety.