What Is Non-Emergency Medical Transportation?

Getting to a medical appointment sounds simple — until you or a loved one can no longer drive. For millions of Americans, non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is the bridge between home and the healthcare they need.

If you're in Bakersfield or Kern County and wondering whether NEMT is right for you, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Non-emergency medical transportation refers to scheduled, door-to-door transport for patients who need to reach medical appointments but don't require an ambulance. Unlike emergency services, NEMT is planned in advance and designed for routine or recurring healthcare needs.

Common trips include:

• Dialysis appointments (often 3 times per week)
• Chemotherapy and radiation treatments
• Post-surgery follow-up visits
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Specialist consultations
• Lab work and imaging

NEMT serves a wide range of patients, including:

Elderly individuals who have stopped driving or whose families live far away. Getting to a routine appointment shouldn't mean relying on a busy family member or an expensive rideshare.

Patients with disabilities who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids. Standard vehicles aren't always accessible — NEMT providers use specially equipped vehicles.

Post-surgical patients who are temporarily unable to drive due to medication, limited mobility, or physician instructions.

Individuals managing chronic conditions like kidney disease, cancer, or heart failure who need frequent, reliable transport to ongoing treatments.

It's a fair question. Here's the key difference: NEMT providers are trained and equipped to assist medically complex passengers. That means:

• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles with proper tie-downs and ramps
• Gurney transport for patients who cannot sit upright
• Driver assistance — helping you from your door to the vehicle and into your appointment
• Scheduled reliability — your driver knows your appointment time and plans accordingly

A rideshare driver may not be able to accommodate a wheelchair, assist a patient with limited mobility, or handle a medical situation calmly. NEMT drivers are trained for exactly that.

Many insurance plans — including Medicaid — cover NEMT for qualifying patients. Coverage varies by plan and situation, so it's worth checking with your provider. Even when insurance doesn't cover the full cost, NEMT is often far more affordable than an ambulance and more reliable than arranging rides through family.

Unity Medical Transit serves Bakersfield and the surrounding Kern County communities, including Tehachapi, Delano, Wasco, Shafter, Taft, Ridgecrest, and Lake Isabella. We transport patients to major medical facilities including Kern Medical, Adventist Health Bakersfield, Dignity Health Mercy Hospital, and dozens of specialty clinics throughout the region.

If you or a loved one needs reliable, compassionate medical transportation in Bakersfield, we're here to help. Call us at (661) 805-8161 or fill out our online form to get started. We're available 24/7.