Phoenix - Tucson - South Arizona Transportation Decision Guide
What They Do
The most common service is transportation between facilities, residential group homes, private residences, hospitals and medical appointments.
All transportation providers are Licensed Livery. That means they can provide transportation for virtually any reason, not just for medical appointments.
Other transportation services are restricted in their services and may not provide the flexibility that is desired in your transportation needs.
Specialized transportation services include stretcher, wheelchairs, and additional aids to assist patients with the ease of getting in and out of a vehicle if needed.
Door thru door service and assistance transferring if necessary. Certified Nursing assistants can also be arranged if required.
Transportation outside the greater Phoenix area can be arranged with advanced notice. This includes state-to-state if no overnight stay.
Did You Know?
The Non-Emergency Medical transportation industry is not officially licensed. However, they are regulated by the State and are required to carry a minimum amount of insurance. A decal is affixed to the passenger side rear window to show the current year of compliance.
You can use non-emergent transportation for a trip to the Emergency Room via a wheelchair or stretcher if you don't require a paramedic. You may have to pay for this out of pocket if your insurance company or Medicare determines that you didn't medically require an ambulance.
Minimum charge for an ambulance ride to the Emergency Room in Arizona is $678. The hospital will determine if it was medically necessary. If the hospital determines that the trip was NOT a medical necessity, you may be expected to pay that bill from the ambulance company.
Medicare DOES NOT pay for transportation other than emergency ambulance service. This is the most common misconception today concerning Medicare benefits.
Drivers for transportation companies are NOT paramedics, and therefore, cannot provide any medical services.
Transportation companies cannot take patients who are receiving IV fluids or medications.
Patients using transportation companies must also be alert, oriented, and able to understand that they are being taken someplace or otherwise traveling with a companion who has Power of Attorney to accept responsibility for them.
Phoenix-Scottsdale Arizona Area Transportation
Your Decision Guide Checklist
Know Before You Call
It is helpful if you have the details of the transport worked out before you call. The proverbial 'Who', 'What', 'Where', 'When', and 'How'.
Be aware that Medicare DOES NOT pay for transportation, this is a misconception because they will pay for transport via ambulance if it is a medical necessity not an emergency.
Also, if the patient is on AHCCS (Arizona's Medicaid) transport will be paid for but only through a company that is contracted to their provider.
You must contact the insurance company and have them arrange for transport. This can be handled by social workers at most hospitals and care/rehab facilities.
Once the patient is at home, it will be up to you to contact your provider directly to arrange transport for any follow up.
Questions To Ask When Hiring
Is the transportation company licensed and insured? Seems like an easy question, but Commercial Liability Insurance is not the same as everyday passenger car insurance. One of the requirements of the state is that the company must carry proof of insurance in the vehicles at all times. Always ask to see proof of insurance, especially if you think something doesn't look right.
Does the transportation vehicle look safe, and is it in good repair?
Is the transportation vehicle clean inside and out? This is an important thing to factor in, because if the transportation company doesn't treat their vehicles with respect and care, what does it say about how they treat their patients?
Is the transportation company's drivers at least CPR and First Aid certified? Arizona has a Good Samaritan Law that protects individuals who give aid in an emergency. Our drivers are instructed to call 911 first and then assist as able.
Always ask if the transportation company will wait for you at the appointment or if you will have to wait for the transportation company to return. Most companies will drop you off and proceed to the next appointment. Logistically this makes sense since we never know how long a doctor's office will take, however, from a customer service viewpoint it does not make sense.
Part of what you pay for is the ride to and from. The other part is that Mohawk Mobility will wait on you, not the other way around. As a courtesy, the wait time you may have over and above your appointment should be disclosed up front.
If the person calling for transportation is not the patient, can they ride with the patient to their appointment? Absolutely!