How to Book Non-Emergency Medical Transportation in New Hampshire

Booking non-emergency medical transportation for the first time can feel more complicated than it should be. There are multiple vehicle types, different eligibility rules depending on insurance, and a lot of misinformation online about what is covered and what is not. This guide cuts through the confusion and gives you a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of how to arrange NEMT in New Hampshire, whether you are booking for yourself, a parent, or a patient in your care.

Step One: Determine the Right Vehicle Type

The first decision is the vehicle. NEMT providers offer several different vehicle configurations, and matching the right vehicle to the patient's condition is the most important step in the process.

Ambulatory transport is for patients who can walk independently, even if slowly or with a cane, and who can get in and out of a standard vehicle with minimal assistance. This is the most common vehicle type and is appropriate for the majority of routine medical trips.

Wheelchair van transport is for patients who use a manual or power wheelchair and cannot or should not transfer to a standard seat for the trip. The vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic ramp and floor-mounted securement systems that hold the wheelchair safely in place during transit.

Stretcher transport is for patients who must remain flat or in a specific reclined position and cannot sit upright in a wheelchair. This is typically required following certain surgeries, for patients with severe wounds or positioning needs, or when a physician has ordered a non-sitting transport specifically.

If you are unsure which vehicle type applies, describe the patient's condition when you call. A coordinator will help you determine the correct choice based on mobility, medical situation, and the nature of the appointment.

Step Two: Check Whether Transportation Is Covered

Before paying out of pocket, it is worth checking whether the trip may be covered under an existing insurance or benefit program.

Medicaid

New Hampshire Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible enrollees. The trip must be to a covered medical service with a Medicaid-enrolled provider. Requests must typically be submitted to the state transportation broker at least 72 hours before the appointment. Coverage is not automatic for all enrollees. Contact your caseworker or NH DHHS directly to verify eligibility before the appointment.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Original Medicare does not cover routine NEMT. However, many Medicare Advantage plans in New Hampshire include transportation benefits as a supplemental feature. Coverage varies significantly between plans. Check your plan's Summary of Benefits or call the member services number on your insurance card to ask specifically whether non-emergency medical transportation is included and what the booking process is.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare may qualify for transportation assistance through the Beneficiary Travel program. This can apply to trips to VA medical centers and approved community care providers. Contact your VA facility's travel office to determine eligibility and how to submit a claim.

Private Pay

When coverage does not apply, is uncertain, or when the family simply wants reliable service without dealing with authorization processes, private pay NEMT is available with straightforward pricing and no insurance coordination required. U Transportation Services accepts private pay bookings with no minimum advance notice requirements beyond standard scheduling.

Step Three: Gather the Information You Will Need to Book

Having the right information ready before you call or submit a booking request saves time and prevents errors. Here is what you will need:

The full pickup address, including apartment or unit number if applicable. For facilities, specify the entrance or building if the campus has multiple access points.

The destination address with the same level of detail. For hospitals and medical campuses, include the department or clinic name and the specific entrance the patient needs to use.

The appointment date and time. For the pickup time, the coordinator will work backward from the appointment to calculate when the driver should arrive, accounting for the trip length and typical wait times.

The patient's name and any mobility or assistance details. If the patient uses a wheelchair, specify whether it is manual or power and the approximate weight of the chair if known. If the patient needs help with stairs, has a cognitive impairment, or has any other condition the driver should be aware of, share that at booking.

A return trip time if known. If the appointment has a predictable end time, scheduling the return in advance is more efficient. If the appointment length is unpredictable, a will-call return can be arranged where the patient calls when ready to be picked up.

A contact phone number. This is used if the driver needs to reach someone on the day of the trip, not just the patient. Providing a family member's number in addition to the patient's is always helpful.

Step Four: Book the Trip

U Transportation Services accepts bookings by phone at (603) 264-1307 and through the online booking form on our website. Both options are available around the clock.

Phone bookings work well for complex trips, patients with specific needs, recurring schedules, or any situation where you want to talk through the details with a coordinator. The call typically takes five to ten minutes.

Online bookings work well for straightforward ambulatory trips with straightforward destinations and no special requirements.

For recurring appointments, a standing schedule can be set up after the first booking. This is particularly useful for dialysis patients who travel three times a week on a fixed schedule, or for patients in ongoing physical or occupational therapy. Once the standing schedule is in place, you do not need to call for each trip.

Step Five: Prepare for the Day of the Trip

A few small preparations on the day of the trip make the experience smoother for the patient and the driver.

Have the patient ready a few minutes before the scheduled pickup time. Drivers aim to arrive on time, and being ready avoids rushed boarding.

Make sure the patient has everything needed for the appointment, including insurance cards, identification, any forms the facility sent in advance, and any medical devices or supplies for the trip. For dialysis patients this is typically minimal, but for longer trips with uncertain return times, a small bag with essentials is practical.

If the patient lives in a building with a security entrance or requires a buzzer to be pressed, let the booking coordinator know in advance so the driver is prepared.

For patients with cognitive impairments or dementia, a brief written card with the patient's name, appointment details, and an emergency contact number can be helpful for the driver to reference.

What to Do If the Appointment Is Canceled or Rescheduled

Medical appointments are frequently rescheduled. When that happens, notify the transportation provider as early as possible. U Transportation Services does not charge cancellation fees for medically rescheduled appointments. The booking can be moved to the new date and time without starting over.

If you need to cancel without rescheduling, early notice allows the driver to be reassigned and is simply the courteous thing to do.

Tips for Families Coordinating from a Distance

Adult children arranging medical transportation for an elderly parent from out of state face a specific challenge: they cannot be there to see how the trip went. A few practices help maintain peace of mind.

Introduce the transportation provider to your parent before the first trip if possible. A brief phone call where you establish the relationship, confirm the booking, and reassure the patient that these are trusted drivers reduces anxiety.

Set up trip notifications. When you book, ask whether the provider offers any kind of pickup confirmation or trip completion notification. Being informed that the patient arrived safely at their appointment and returned home is valuable for families who are not local.

Build the transportation relationship before a crisis. If your parent is still managing with occasional help, this is the right time to establish a transportation provider you trust. Having a working relationship in place before a hospitalization, a fall, or a sudden loss of driving ability makes the transition far less stressful.

Book NEMT in New Hampshire Today

U Transportation Services provides non-emergency medical transportation throughout New Hampshire for ambulatory patients, wheelchair users, and stretcher transport needs. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Same-week bookings are available for most trips, and standing schedules can be arranged for recurring appointments.

Call us at (603) 264-1307 or use the online booking form to get started. If you have questions about vehicle types, coverage, or whether your situation qualifies, call and speak with a coordinator directly. There is no obligation, and we are glad to help you figure out the right option.