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Non-emergency medical transportation, or NEMT, helps people travel to and from healthcare appointments when they cannot safely or reliably use regular transportation.
NEMT is not for medical emergencies. It is designed for planned healthcare trips, such as doctor visits, dialysis, physical therapy, hospital discharge, and follow-up care.
This guide explains how NEMT works for families in Raleigh and Northeast North Carolina.
What Is Non-Emergency Medical Transportation?
NEMT is pre-arranged transportation for a medical purpose when the passenger does not need emergency medical care during the trip.
A person may need NEMT because they:
- Do not drive
- No longer have access to a vehicle
- Use a wheelchair, walker, cane, or crutches
- Have difficulty entering or exiting a standard car
- Need regular transportation for dialysis or other recurring treatment
- Need help traveling after hospital discharge
- Cannot use public transportation safely
- Need a dependable ride to a medical provider
NEMT may include transportation to:
- Primary care appointments
- Specialist visits
- Dialysis sessions
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Laboratory and imaging appointments
- Hospital admissions
- Hospital discharges
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Pharmacies connected to a healthcare need
- Other eligible medical services
North Carolina Medicaid defines NEMT as transportation to and from medical services on a non-emergency basis. Review the NC Medicaid NEMT overview for program details.
Who Can Benefit From NEMT?
NEMT may be appropriate for individuals and families who need a safer, more consistent way to reach healthcare.
Seniors
Older adults may stop driving because of vision changes, medication effects, reduced mobility, or other health concerns. NEMT can provide a scheduled ride without requiring a family member to leave work or manage every appointment.
Read more about professional senior transportation for Raleigh families.
People With Mobility Challenges
A standard car may not meet the needs of someone who uses a wheelchair, scooter, walker, or other mobility device. A wheelchair-accessible vehicle can reduce the need for unsafe transfers.
Tell the transportation provider about the mobility device when booking. Confirm whether the passenger will remain in the wheelchair during the ride.
Patients Receiving Recurring Treatment
Some medical treatments follow a fixed schedule. Dialysis is one example. Missing or delaying a recurring treatment can create additional health concerns.
Arrange transportation for the full schedule. Confirm pickup times for every appointment. See this guide to private dialysis transportation in Raleigh.
Patients Leaving a Hospital
A hospital discharge may require transportation on short notice. The patient may not be able to sit safely in a personal vehicle or may need help reaching the home entrance.
Ask the hospital discharge team to begin transportation planning early. Provide the correct pickup location and expected discharge time.
Family Members and Caregivers
Caregivers may live outside Raleigh, have work obligations, or manage several appointments at once. NEMT can support the transportation part of the care plan.
Use this caregiver transportation planning guide to organize recurring rides.
NEMT vs. an Ambulance: What Is the Difference?
NEMT and ambulance transportation serve different purposes.
Do not use NEMT for chest pain, severe breathing problems, major bleeding, loss of consciousness, or another emergency. Call 911.
Some patients need non-emergency ambulance transportation because they must travel by stretcher or require medical care during transport. A standard NEMT vehicle may not be appropriate in that situation. Ask the healthcare provider which level of transportation is medically suitable.
Original Medicare generally does not cover routine rides to a doctor’s office. It may cover ambulance transportation in limited situations when other transportation would endanger the patient’s health. Review the official Medicare ambulance coverage page for current requirements.
Types of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
The correct vehicle depends on the passenger’s medical and mobility needs.
Ambulatory Transportation
Ambulatory transportation is for passengers who can enter and exit a vehicle with little or no physical assistance.
The passenger may use:
- A cane
- A walker
- Crutches
- A portable oxygen device
- No mobility device
Ask about the level of assistance available at pickup and drop-off. A passenger who can walk short distances may still need help navigating a long hospital entrance or parking area.
Wheelchair Van Transportation
Wheelchair-accessible vans allow passengers to enter through a ramp or lift. The wheelchair is secured inside the vehicle during transport.
Provide these details when booking:
- Manual or power wheelchair
- Wheelchair dimensions, if known
- Scooter or other mobility device
- Whether the passenger can transfer to a vehicle seat
- Whether assistance is needed from the home entrance to the vehicle
- Whether the destination has an accessible entrance
Review the guide to door-to-door and curb-to-curb medical transportation to determine which service level may be appropriate.
Stretcher Transportation
Stretcher transportation is for a passenger who cannot safely sit in a vehicle seat or wheelchair for the trip.
This service may require a stretcher van or a medically necessary non-emergency ambulance. Availability depends on the provider and the patient’s condition.
Ask the healthcare provider or discharge planner to identify the correct transportation type before booking.
How Does the NEMT Process Work?
The process usually includes five steps.
1. Schedule the Medical Appointment
Confirm the appointment date, time, provider, address, and expected appointment length.
Ask the medical office whether the passenger must arrive early.
2. Identify the Transportation Need
Record the passenger’s mobility and assistance requirements.
Include:
- Ambulatory, wheelchair, or stretcher needs
- Walker, cane, scooter, or oxygen use
- Door-to-door assistance requirements
- Need for an attendant
- Service animal information
- Return trip needs
- Any special facility instructions
3. Book the Ride
For private-pay transportation, contact the provider directly. Request the ride as early as possible.
For Medicaid transportation, contact the health plan or assigned transportation broker. People enrolled in NC Medicaid Direct or the EBCI Tribal Option generally contact their local Department of Social Services.
Use the NC Medicaid managed care NEMT policy to review current program requirements.
4. Confirm the Reservation
Confirm:
- Pickup date and time
- Pickup address
- Destination address
- Vehicle type
- Passenger mobility needs
- Return trip process
- Attendant or caregiver information
- Cancellation instructions
- Payment or coverage details
Keep the confirmation available on the day of travel.
5. Prepare for Pickup
Be ready at the confirmed location. Keep medications, identification, appointment information, and mobility devices available.
Allow extra time for traffic, facility access, loading, and check-in. Read what to expect during a first NEMT ride before the first trip.
When Should You Schedule NEMT?
Schedule transportation as soon as the medical appointment is confirmed.
For private transportation, 24 to 48 hours of notice may improve vehicle availability. Request more notice for:
- Wheelchair transportation
- Stretcher transportation
- Early morning appointments
- Long-distance trips
- Recurring appointments
- Multiple passengers
- Hospital discharges
- Trips outside the immediate service area
For NC Medicaid managed care, plans cannot require transportation requests more than two business days in advance. However, NC Medicaid recommends calling when the appointment is scheduled. Urgent transportation needs, including hospital discharges, may be exempt from advance notice requirements.
Do not assume that a same-day ride is available. Call the health plan, broker, hospital, or private NEMT provider as soon as a need is known.
Does Insurance Cover NEMT?
Coverage depends on the insurance program and the type of transportation.
Medicaid
NC Medicaid provides NEMT for eligible beneficiaries who need transportation to covered medical services. The ride may be arranged through:
- A Medicaid health plan
- An NEMT broker
- Local county DSS for NC Medicaid Direct
- Local county DSS for the EBCI Tribal Option
Medicaid transportation may have rules about eligible destinations, provider enrollment, vehicle type, attendants, advance notice, and prior authorization.
Ask the plan or broker:
- Is the appointment covered?
- Is the provider enrolled with Medicaid?
- Which vehicle type is approved?
- Can a caregiver or attendant ride?
- How should the return trip be arranged?
- Is prior authorization required?
Original Medicare
Original Medicare generally does not cover routine non-emergency medical transportation in a car, van, or wheelchair vehicle.
Medicare Part B may cover medically necessary ambulance transportation in limited cases. The patient’s condition must make other transportation unsafe, and destination rules may apply.
Medicare Advantage
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer transportation as a supplemental benefit. Benefits vary by plan and may have limits on the number of rides, destinations, mileage, or booking process.
Call the member services number on the insurance card. Do not assume that Medicare coverage applies to every NEMT ride.
Private Pay
Patients without a transportation benefit can contact a private NEMT company directly. Ask for the fare before booking. Confirm:
- One-way or round-trip pricing
- Wait-time charges
- Cancellation rules
- Wheelchair or stretcher fees
- Service area
- Accepted payment methods
How to Choose NEMT Near Raleigh and Northeast North Carolina
When searching for non emergency medical transportation near me or non emergency medical transportation Raleigh NC, compare providers based on the passenger’s actual needs.
Ask whether the provider:
- Offers the required vehicle type
- Serves the pickup and destination areas
- Has experience with recurring medical appointments
- Provides the requested assistance level
- Explains pricing and coverage clearly
- Confirms reservations in writing or by phone
- Maintains clean, accessible vehicles
- Uses trained drivers
- Has a process for delays, cancellations, and changes
Ivel 7 Medical Transport provides non-emergency medical transportation for medical appointments and healthcare needs. Contact the company through ivel7medicaltransport.com to discuss the trip requirements and available service options.
NEMT Booking Checklist
Use this checklist before calling:
- Passenger’s full name and phone number
- Pickup address
- Destination name and address
- Appointment date and time
- Expected appointment length
- Return trip instructions
- Mobility device information
- Ambulatory, wheelchair, or stretcher requirement
- Need for door-to-door assistance
- Attendant or caregiver information
- Insurance or Medicaid information
- Payment method
- Cancellation instructions
Plan early. Provide complete information. Confirm the vehicle type. These steps help reduce scheduling problems and support reliable access to care throughout Raleigh and Northeast North Carolina.