Tips for Utilizing a Medical Transportation Service for Your Dialysis Treatments

If you live a long way from a dialysis center or have reached a point where driving yourself is no longer safe, then you will be pleased to learn that you can use a medical transportation service. Similar to a taxi or van service, medical transportation services offer one-time or regular transportation services to people who require transport for a variety of different types of medical appointments. Many times, your medical transportation is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or your private medical insurance policy.

Since you will be using the transport service at least three times each week for your dialysis treatments, you should be mindful of how to get the most out of the service.

Here are some tips to assist you:

Choose the Best Medical Transportation Service in Your Local Area

Unless you live in a very rural area, there are likely many different medical transportation companies that you can choose from. By choosing the company that best meets your scheduling and comfort needs, you will be the happiest with the service. To get a list of the local medical transportation companies in your area, you can speak with the social worker at your dialysis center. You can also ask their opinion about which service would work best to meet your unique needs. 

Take Along Something to Do on the Road

Since you may get stuck in traffic or have other unforeseen delays while riding in the medical transport vehicle, you should always have something with you that you can do to keep yourself occupied. While you can always play with your cell phone, you might like going old school and bringing along a paperback book or a crossword puzzle.

Label Everything You Take with You to the Dialysis Center

Since it is easy for things to get lost during transport and at the dialysis center, make sure that you label everything that you take along with you. Having your name on your belongings ensures that they can easily be returned to you if they are found. 

Always Prepare Early for Your Next Transport

Finally, you can make your use of a medical transport service go more smoothly if you always take a moment when you get home to prepare for your next trip. Have a special place near your front door where you keep your bag all packed and ready to go. This helps get you out the door more quickly, and it helps to keep the driver on schedule as well.