Why would one not use an ambulance service to transport a patient across the country instead of your service?

For the same reason that you wouldn’t use a sledgehammer to kill a fly, you wouldn’t call on an ambulance to transport long distances. But there are many more reasons. First, an ambulance is a mobile emergency room. They are well designed and equipped to be the liasion between the world and the specialized care you may need in a hurry at a hospital. An ambulance isn’t designed for comfort. Its designed for efficiency, storage and speed. And the cost to operate them is outrageous.

Transportation to a doctors appointment, to a facility across the country or to relocate someone several hundreds of miles away needs to be in a comfortable setting that is also affordable. MMT presents patients with that comfort, without giving up the trained staff that knows how to correctly transfer a fractured hip, talk to an Alzheimers patient, or handle a wide range of non urgent needs on the road. Everything we do, is designed around non-emergency patients. The design and comfort of the vehicles, the insurance that we carry to cross state lines and the extra comforts on board like sattelite radio, DVD screens and enhanced stretcher padding.

What are your geographical boundaries for transporting patients?

Our insurance will not cover our vans once they cross the U.S. Border, including anywhere in Canada or Mexico.

Although we provide patient transport everywhere else in the United States, we have a minimum of 500 miles. If your needs involve a transport just under that minimum, sometimes its a good idea just to get a quote from us anyway. Often, people find when doing their research,that paying our minimum, is still the best option.

There is one exception to our 500 mile minimum. We still operate our original local transport division in our corporate headquarters of Atlanta/Athens, Georgia where we first began in 1997. In that area only, we provide local wheelchair and stretcher transport to and from medical appointments, hospital discharges, etc. with no minimum mileage requirements.

Does the fact that my mom needs oxygen make her too critical for your service?

We are _definitely able _to continue oxygen during transport. Oxygen is considered a prescription drug, so one needs a doctor’s order to initiate it. If the patient is already receiving it, or has orders to use it as needed (PRN), we are able to provide it during transport.

Both of my parents need to make this trip from their home to mine. Dad is the bedridden one, but mom, although ambulatory, needs a lot of assistance and supervision. Can they both ride together?

Yes. One of the beauties of our service is the fact that our personnel have medical backgrounds so they know how to work with patients who are at all levels of the care spectrum. When booking the transport, you’ll let us know a lot of information pertaining to both of their needs and habits and we will insure that they both arrive safely at their destination.

I would like to travel with my husband, who is bedridden. Is this allowed? Is there an extra charge?

It absolutely is allowed! We have room for one additional person to ride along with the patient if they wish. They will ride in a leather captains chair that reclines, right next to the patient. There is never any extra charge for this.

Why isn’t there anyone answering your phones, and my questions, after hours?

When you call us for information, the last thing that you want to hear from us is uncertainty. The people who answer your questions and book transportation at MMT know our business inside and out. They’ve been on the administrative end as well as the patient care and transport end. Those are the individuals that we want you to reach when you call us. Since we couldn’t possibly keep them in the office around the clock, we put them here during regular office hours. They are a wealth of information so don’t hesitate to call them with your questions. After hours, we put them on call and are still available via our website email system for questions that cannot wait until the next business day.

I really need to find out more information about moving my mom closer to me, but I can only talk after work, which is after your sales/dispatch lines close. What should I do?

The best way to receive a quote or a call back after hours is through our email system. The email requests are sent directly to the “on call” supervisor who will respond by email or phone, whichever you prefer.

Managed Medical Transport Turns 22 Years Old!

From our very first call 22 years ago to the ones coming in today, I am continually humbled as people place their most precious treasures, their family members, in our care. As the number of years in business stack up, it becomes easier to gain the confidence of prospective customers who understand that we must be doing something right to have managed the hurdles, pot holes, and economic roller coasters of our time. Increasing operating costs and the never ending stream of those entering (and then quickly exiting) this industry hoping to get rich quick, have been some of the obstacles confronting us. Yet, through it all, we continue to thrive.

Continue reading “Managed Medical Transport Turns 22 Years Old!”

Celebrating our 22nd Year-And Always Remembering the Back Story

The year was 1997. Princess Diana died in a car crash, Mother Teresa died in Calcutta, Microsoft became the world’s most valuable company at $261 billion dollars, and Managed Medical Transport (MMT) transported its first patient from Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN to a residence about 9 miles away. The patient paid $55 for that ride, forfeiting the alternative $850 ambulance transport that was offered to him first by hospital social workers. We were two paramedics on a non-emergency van with our business lines forwarded to the bulky cell phone in my purse, the newest technology of the day. Our biggest expense was vehicle insurance, and full time day care for two children, both under 4 years old.

Continue reading “Celebrating our 22nd Year-And Always Remembering the Back Story”