NEMT vs. Ambulance: Which Type of Medical Transport Do You Need?

When a loved one needs help getting to medical care, it's not always obvious whether to call an ambulance or book non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). Choosing the right one keeps everyone safe and can save you a great deal of money.

When you need an ambulance

Call 911 for an ambulance any time there's a medical emergency. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, signs of a stroke, or any situation where someone needs medical care or monitoring during the trip. Ambulances are staffed and equipped to treat patients en route.

When NEMT is the right choice

Non-emergency medical transportation is for scheduled, non-urgent trips where the passenger is stable but still needs safe, assisted transport. There's no medical treatment needed during the ride. Just dependable, comfortable transportation with help getting in and out.

• Dialysis and recurring treatments
• Doctor and specialist appointments
• Hospital or rehab discharges back home
• Imaging, labs, and outpatient procedures
• Adult day care and assisted-living outings

The three types of NEMT

Most providers, including ETA, offer three levels of service so you only pay for what you need: ambulatory (for passengers who can walk with little help), wheelchair (lift-equipped vans with secured seating), and stretcher (for passengers who must remain lying down).

The cost difference

Ambulances are expensive and meant for emergencies. For a non-emergency trip, NEMT is dramatically more affordable and often more comfortable, with door-through-door assistance an ambulance simply isn't designed to provide. If it's not an emergency, NEMT is almost always the better fit.