Name of the Procedure:

Non-emergency Transportation; Per Diem (HCPCS Code: T2002)

Summary

Non-emergency transportation per diem services involve providing transportation to patients who do not require immediate medical attention but need assistance traveling to and from healthcare facilities.

Purpose

Non-emergency transportation services address the needs of patients who require regular medical appointments but do not have personal transportation. The goal is to ensure patients have safe, reliable means to attend necessary medical appointments, enhancing their ongoing health management.

Indications

• Patients with chronic conditions requiring frequent visits to healthcare facilities (e.g., dialysis, chemotherapy).
• Patients who have mobility limitations preventing them from using public transportation or personal vehicles.
• Situations where patients need transportation for routine, non-urgent medical appointments or therapies.

Preparation

• Patients may need to schedule their rides in advance through a service provider.
• Patients should have their medical appointment details ready, including the time, location, and estimated duration of the appointment.

Procedure Description

• Scheduling: Patients or their caregivers contact a transportation service provider to schedule a pick-up time and location.
• Pick-up: On the scheduled day, a transport vehicle arrives at the patient’s location to take them to the healthcare facility.
• Transportation: The patient is safely transported in a suitable vehicle equipped to handle any mobility aids if necessary (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers).
• Drop-off: The patient is dropped off at the healthcare facility and provided with a time for their return pick-up.
• Return Trip: After the appointment, the patient is transported back to their home or initial pick-up location.

Duration

The duration depends on the distance to the healthcare facility and the length of the medical appointment. Typically, transportation time can range from 15 minutes to over an hour, excluding waiting time at the facility.

Setting

The procedure is performed using specialized vehicles capable of accommodating patients with various mobility needs.

Personnel

• Trained drivers with experience in handling patients with special transportation needs.
• Medical transport coordinators or dispatchers.

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks: Delays due to traffic or logistical issues.
• Rare Risks: Accidents during transportation, although vehicles are regularly maintained to minimize this risk.

Benefits

• Ensures patients attend their medical appointments regularly, leading to better health management.
• Reduces missed appointments due to lack of transportation.
• Enhances the overall well-being and independence of patients.

Recovery

• No recovery is required as this is a transportation service.
• Patients should ensure they rest if their medical appointment involved any tiring or uncomfortable procedures.

Alternatives

• Public Transportation: Can be less reliable and not suitable for those with mobility issues.
• Private Transportation (Friends, Family): May not always be available or convenient.
• Telemedicine: Suitable for consultations that do not require physical presence but limited to certain types of appointments.

Patient Experience

• During Transportation: Patients can expect a comfortable ride with assistance for getting in and out of the vehicle if needed.
• Post-Transportation: Patients may feel relieved and less stressed about attending their medical appointments regularly without transportation concerns.
• Comfort Measures: Vehicles are generally equipped to ensure patient comfort, including climate control and seating accommodations.