Owing to the advancement in medicine and technology, the population of elderly people in the United States has continued to increase. Although there were fewer than 50 million elderly Americans in 2015, it’s anticipated that there will be 70 million of them by 2030.
Have it in mind that this growth, coupled with the uncertain future of the Affordable Care Act and the public’s need for medical care, has created opportunities for entrepreneurs to make substantial income and cash by starting businesses that provide needed healthcare services—like a medical transportation company.
Note that individuals who use non-emergency medical transportation companies are more or less on stretchers, wheelchair-bound, or rely on walkers or canes to move from place to place. Almost in all instances, these individuals are unable to use traditional transportation services—like taxicabs or buses—to get from Point A to B.
Also, they tend to need some sort of assistance before they get to their appointments, and they are left with just two options: call an ambulance and spend a reasonable amount of money or use a non-emergency medical transportation company that’s much more affordable. Note that most patients—or at least those in charge of managing their finances—choose the latter.
However, be it for personal purposes or for business, purchasing medical transport vehicles is not a walk in the park. These vehicles are used by nursing homes, adult day care centres, hospitals, medical transportation providers, EMS facilities, group homes, facilities for the developmentally disabled, and other businesses too.
When starting this business, your biggest expense will be the vehicles you need to transport clients. Numerous companies sell converted vans, both new and used. If you already own a suitable vehicle, you can have it converted for accessibility.
You can find medical transport vans for sell at these establishments mentioned below. Note that all these transport vans comply with safety standards and are adjusted to create more space and more accommodations.
Where to Find Medical Transport Vehicles for Sale
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Driverge
This company builds ambulettes and paratransit vans that are used by leading medical facilities and non-emergency transport service companies throughout the country.
Note that most Driverge NEMT vehicles are equipped with commercial wheelchair lifts and can transport ambulatory and wheelchair passengers.
They are the perfect vehicle for medical transportation providers, group homes, senior living facilities, and hospitals. Rear access minivans with ramps are also another option for transporting only one non-emergency wheelchair passengers.
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United Access
United Access is renowned as a top player in the industry and they offer a variety of ambulette vans for sale. Ambulette vans are basically wheelchair accessible vehicles that are specially equipped for transporting people who are in wheelchairs to and from nursing homes, adult day care centres, hospitals, medical transportation providers, EMS facilities, group homes and facilities for the developmentally disabled.
The company also offer rental services and the company’s entire rental vans are fully powered side entry conversions that conveniently operate at the touch of a button. All wheelchair van rentals accommodate one wheelchair passenger while some vans may accommodate more.
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MobilityWorks
MobilityWorks Commercial is also an industry leader in commercial-grade ambulettes for fleets throughout the country.
Note that with a wide variety of floor plans available on Ford, Ram and Chevrolet/GMC full-size, their vans can accommodate all customers.
As the nation’s leading commercial wheelchair van dealer, the company is always focused on being the one-stop resource for your mobility van needs. The company’s team of experts provides each customer with the best advantages in the industry.
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Sunset Vans
Sunset Vans is the one-stop shop in both commercial & personal ADA mobility van conversions. Note that as a family owned & operated business for over 40 years, the company boasts of being one of the largest wheelchair van manufacturers in the nation, and they offer a wide range of products to accommodate any fleet, big or small. Every conversion is installed at one of the company’s manufacturing facilities.
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AMS Vans
This is one of the largest wheelchair accessible vehicle manufacturers and mobility dealers in the nation. AMS Vans provides much more than just low-prices on quality handicap vans, they feature a robust inventory of van conversions, affordable short- or long-term handicap van rentals, online classifieds, mobility equipment sales including installation and trade-in opportunities.
From Georgia to California, Texas, Illinois, New York, Florida, Washington, and beyond, AMS Vans have an imprint in every state delivering mobility freedom with a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
With close to two decades of experience, AMS Vans posses the key that unlocks opportunities for transportation and travel, and have already put that key in the hands of hundreds of delighted customers.
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Superior Van and Mobility
Superior Van and Mobility offer state-of-the-art mobility solutions for the consumer and commercial transportation industry.
This company as a proud member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and a participant in NMEDAs Quality Assurance Program (QAP); has proven itself and still offers solutions and unique vans to clients in the United States.
Note that they currently have eleven, convenient locations which are located in: South Bend, IN., Fort Wayne, IN., Fishers, IN., Indianapolis, IN., Evansville, IN., Louisville, KY., Lexington, KY., Knoxville, TN., Baton Rouge, LA., New Orleans, LA., and Omaha, NE.
Together they feature the area’s largest selection of new, used and pre-owned handicap accessible vehicles, wheelchair lifts, scooter lifts, and mobility products.
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Aero Mobility
Have it in mind that Aero Mobility is one of the largest Mobility Dealerships in the country and has maintained its mark as one of the most preferred provider of wheelchair accessible vehicle conversion, wheelchair ramps, and scooter lifts.
Founded in 1985, with over three acres of facility in the heart of Southern California, as a converter and Authorized dealer for the highest quality mobility equipment from industry-leading manufacturers such as BraunAbility, Eldorado Mobility, Freedom Motors, Vantage Mobility & Vision, this company provides Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles with the largest selection of Converted vehicles to meet every customers expectation.
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BraunAbility
BraunAbility offer an exclusive fleet of side-entry, rear-entry, new, and used wheelchair van conversion options for sale and rent nationwide and in Canada from multiple minivan manufacturers.
The company also boost of having inventory at Winamac, Indiana, that can be ordered and shipped to your local BraunAbility Dealer.
With over 45 years experience in the industry, BraunAbility has maintained its focus on changing lives for people with physical disabilities through innovative mobility solutions that provide independence and ease-of-use.
Also, as an industry leader and the brand most recommended by mobility dealers, BraunAbility puts together the quality product solutions you need with the service and financing expertise you can trust.
Cost of Medical Transport Vehicles
Before you decide to venture into this business, you have to make sure you have enough money to launch the business. If not, you may have to sell some equity in your business to an investor or apply for a small business loan. Also note that your biggest expense will be the vehicles you need to transport clients in wheelchairs or motor scooters.
Numerous companies sell converted vans, both new and used. If you already own a suitable vehicle, you can have it converted for accessibility. Access can be provided through a rear-load system or side-load system, depending on the vehicle and your own preference.
Rear-ramp systems are less costly to implement, and they can start at around $13,000 and going up from there, while side-ramp conversions can cost you a few thousand more, and already-converted vehicles cost more again.
For the sake of clarification, and since the cost of these vehicles can differ based on car model and specific modifications, here are the prices of some of the commonly used medical transport vehicles in the United States.
- Dodge Grand Caravan SE: $24,499
- Ford E-Series Cargo E-150 (Braun Braun Lift Conversion): $9,999
- Honda Pilot EX-L w/Navi (VMI Northstar E Conversion): $47,999
- Dodge Grand Caravan SXT (Braun Entervan XT Folding Ramp Conversion): $39,499
Conclusion
Like any other business, starting a medical transportation company is hard work. As long as you know that from the outset and are willing to put in the time and energy necessary to succeed, you should do just fine. By some estimates, it can cost an average of $350,000 to start your own non-emergency medical transportation company.
Also note that you will need to register your business; cover legal, insurance, permit, and licensing fees; acquire a facility; purchase vehicles; pay utility bills and wage expenses; launch a website; and cover other costs.