Insurance For Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) can make life easier for those who need access to regular health care but lack reliable transportation. In New Mexico, where public transit is often limited in rural areas, and large geographic distances can prevent patients from easily reaching their appointments, NEMT provides an essential service to individuals of all ages or abilities. But while the concept of NEMT is straightforward, understanding what type of insurance coverage offers its citizens when using this method of ambulatory transport requires more investigation. 

The following are the types of insurance that are needed for Non-emergency medical transportation:

Basic Insurance Policies for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance is an essential form of coverage for businesses offering non-emergency medical transportation services. It can provide protection for your company – and, by extension, its drivers and passengers – against a wide range of risks associated with NEMT. This type of policy typically covers claims related to bodily injury, property damage, personal injury (e.g., libel or slander), and advertising injury resulting from the negligence of your business or its employees. 

General liability insurance can protect against damages due to accidents that occur on the road during transport. For example, if a non-emergency medical driver runs a red light and causes a collision involving another vehicle or pedestrian, this type of policy would cover any medical expenses incurred due to the incident. 

General liability insurance can also protect your business against claims related to libel, slander, or other forms of personal injury. Passengers may sue the company if they feel a driver has violated their privacy or suffer emotional distress due to inappropriate behavior during transport. This policy would provide financial coverage for legal fees and awards in such cases.

Commercial Auto Insurance 

Commercial auto insurance is another key insurance for non-emergency medical transportation businesses. This type of policy provides protection against losses resulting from automobile accidents, fire damage, theft, and other events that could cause financial harm to your company or its drivers. 

Commercial auto insurance can offer coverage for a wide range of scenarios. For instance, if one of your vehicles is involved in an accident while transporting a passenger, this policy can provide financial compensation for damages caused to both vehicles and any medical expenses incurred by those injured in the incident. It can also cover repairs or replacements needed for the vehicle itself and any legal fees associated with a lawsuit that may arise from the accident.

Commercial auto insurance can also protect against losses related to theft or vandalism of one of your vehicles. If a passenger’s belongings are stolen while in transit, this type of policy can offer financial coverage for replacement costs. It can also help pay for repairs or replacements needed if the vehicle is damaged due to fire or other types of destruction.

Worker’s Compensation

Worker’s compensation is a type of insurance that provides financial and medical benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job. In non-emergency medical transportation, this policy can help cover costs associated with medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation programs, and more. 

In NEMT, worker’s compensation can provide coverage for various injuries or illnesses sustained by your drivers while on duty. For instance, if a driver suffers an injury due to fatigue or poor road conditions while driving one of your vehicles, this type of policy could offer them financial assistance to pay for any medical bills resulting from their condition. Similarly, it would also be able to cover lost wages if a driver cannot return to work due to an illness or injury. 

Additionally, worker’s compensation can be valuable in helping your business cover costs related to rehabilitation programs for injured or ill employees. If a driver needs physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other medical treatments to help them recover from their condition and return to work, this type of policy will typically provide coverage for these expenses.

Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance is a supplemental policy that provides additional liability coverage beyond the limits of your standard insurance policies. It can be useful in any situation where you may face lawsuits or financial losses due to damage caused by your business activities. 

An umbrella policy can be beneficial in providing extra coverage for damages sustained by one of your drivers while operating a vehicle. If an accident occurs and exceeds the limits of your commercial auto insurance policy, this type of policy can help cover any remaining costs associated with it. Similarly, if one of your drivers makes an error that causes injury to a passenger, umbrella insurance could provide protection against paying out large sums of money due to a lawsuit. 

Umbrella policies can also protect your business from losses due to employee negligence or other forms of liability. If one of your drivers fails to follow safety regulations and an accident occurs, the extra coverage provided by this type of policy could help offset costs related to medical bills, property damage, legal fees, and more.

Employment Practices Liability 

Employment practices liability covers legal expenses and any damages awarded to employees due to an issue related to their employment. It provides protection against allegations alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and other forms of employer misconduct. If one of your drivers brings forth a claim against you for unfair treatment on the job or discriminatory practices, having this type of insurance can help cover your legal fees associated with defending such a case, as well as any awards given out if you are found to be at fault. 

Additionally, employment practices liability can also provide you with coverage for any financial losses resulting from a wrongful act by one of your supervisors. If a manager makes an error that causes harm or damages to one of your drivers, this type of policy can help cover the costs associated with defending yourself as well as any awards given out.

Professional Liability

Professional liability is a type of insurance policy that protects businesses against losses due to errors or omissions by their employees. In non-emergency medical transportation, this can be useful in helping your business cover the costs associated with any mistakes made by your drivers while providing rides for patients. 

If one of your drivers fails to follow safety regulations and an accident occurs, professional liability can help cover the costs related to any damages sustained. Similarly, if a driver gives incorrect directions, which leads to delays or lost time, this type of policy can provide you with financial protection against paying out large sums of money due to such negligence. 

In addition, professional liability can also provide coverage for any losses resulting from a driver's failure to follow the instructions of their supervisors. If one of your drivers is found to be at fault for not following orders, this type of insurance can help cover any legal costs associated with defending yourself as well as any awards given out if you are found liable.

Property Protection insurance

Property damage coverage is also important for non-emergency medical transportation providers in New Mexico. This type of insurance helps protect the provider from any damages that may be caused to another person’s property as a result of an accident involving either their vehicle or service. This type of policy typically covers both the physical damage to property as well as any legal fees incurred in defending yourself against a potentially liable party. 

For instance, if one of your drivers’ vehicles is involved in an accident and causes damage to another person’s vehicle or property, this type of coverage can help protect your business from having to pay out large sums of money due to such an incident.

Cyber/Data Breach Liability Coverage

The other insurance providers of non-emergency medical transportation in New Mexico should consider obtaining is cyber or data breach liability coverage. This policy protects against any claims or costs associated with a data breach, including the cost of notifying affected individuals and providing credit monitoring services. It also offers financial coverage for any fines or penalties resulting from the breach.