Because we’re named after the near and dear to everyone’s hearts, Disney deer, Bambi, we thought it’d be fun to share some of our favorite quotes from the classic flick — and how they fit in with our tech, team culture and lines of code.
“If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." — Thumper
Although slightly grammatically incorrect, we had to share this classic quote spoken by Bambi’s best bunny buddy, Thumper. It conveys such a valuable moral lesson about the importance of simple and kind communication. Thumper's mother is the one who originally instills this lesson onto Thumper, teaching him to speak only words which are positive and/or constructive.
It’s such a memorable quote that holds a simple, timeless message of treating others with respect and compassion, which is what we live and work by here at Bambi. We’re always treating our colleagues and our customers with the utmost kindness and care. And because we’re in care-tech, we care about what we create and that our customers say nice things about our software. So we’re always iterating to keep our software simple so it’s easy to use and, of course, talk nicely about.
"Now you'll get to see the meadow!" — Bambi's mother
This line spoken by Bambi's mother holds a literal and metaphorical meaning. It literally refers to Bambi's excitement and anticipation about finally getting to explore the lush, calming meadow within their forest home. When it comes to our Bambi software, we think it’s quite the soothing meadow, too. We’ve minimized clutter — that a lot of tech platforms seem to pile in — to keep cognitive load to a minimum.
Metaphorically, the meadow represents a new, vast world full of possibilities for Bambi to explore. And just like Bambi’s meadow, our NEMT software offers new and veteran NEMT business owners alike a chance to navigate nimbly our simple AI-powered platform.
The meadow also symbolizes growth and the transition from youth to adulthood. And when it comes to our tech, our meadow of code in Bambi supports our customers’ NEMT business growth and even the transition from analog to digital (for those old-schoolers who haven’t been ready to make the switch). Trust us, our calming meadow of a software will intrigue anyone to make the switch from pen to platform.
"Run, Bambi, run!" — Bambi’s mom
We all know this critical scene in the movie, when Bambi's mother urges him to run for his life.
In a way, we created the “Run Bambi Run” feature to instill a sense of urgency, too, but in a much softer software kind of way — to emphatically emphasize the need for action in a playful and much more light-hearted manner. At the same time, it really could be a life or death matter. Our customers are in the caretaking of lives business after all.
So upon clicking this call to swift action button, our AI-powered Bambi runs algorithms to optimize schedules and routes which will ultimately save our NEMT customers time and miles on the road even the lives of their customers, too.
Of course there are many more epic quotes from this classic Disney movie, but these are our favs from the flick. We live, work, click and stick by them here at Bambi and we hope you do, too.
We’re lucky. We get to create a simple caretech platform for the caring industry of non-emergency medical transport services — one with a pretty rad four-letter (NEMT) acronym.
We even coined the term aiNEMT, meaning an AI-powered NEMT service platform, making Bambi out to be the quick and clever tech it has always been meant to become.
Because we realize there’s a lot of lingo in the NEMT industry, especially for those newbie NEMTpreneurs just getting started, we thought we’d take it upon ourselves to share with the new folks in the biz (and even remind those veterans) of the most important terms to wrap their brain’s wheels around. And not only are these words and phrases integral to the NEMT business landscape, they're essential for ensuring efficient and reliable transportation services for those in need.
So here are several words and phrases we’ve selected in alphabetical order for you to get to know, brush up on and continual study. Refer back to this list as often as you need. Until then, we Bambi believe in you! You’ll be fluent in the NEMT language in no time!
ADA Compliance: Involves adhering to the guidelines that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. This act requires that transportation services be accessible to individuals with disabilities. As an NEMT provider, you must ensure that your vehicles and services meet these ADA standards. It's all about making sure everyone can hop on board safe and soundly!
Billing and Payment: This involves sending out bills to passengers, insurance companies or government agencies for the NEMT services rendered. It includes checking eligibility, figuring out costs and handling payments from invoice issues to receipt. Our Bambi platform allows for easy and clean organization for all your invoices— outstanding and withstanding.
Booking: This is all about securing transportation for a particular date and time. Bookings can be arranged ahead of time or requested as needed, depending on what the passenger requires.
Companion Care: This refers to additional help offered to passengers who might need that extra support or supervision while traveling. It might involve a helping hand with boarding, securing mobility devices or even accompanying passengers to and from their medical appointments.
Dispatch: This is all about organizing and assigning transportation services to passengers. It includes getting requests for rides, figuring out which vehicle and driver are best available and making sure the driver has all the pertinent info they need for their trip. Through Bambi, you can continue to do this manually, or streamline the dispatching dirty work by utilizing our AI-powered software to run algorithms that would dispatch drivers based on multiple factors involved (from traffic to schedules and sustainable best-practices), keeping the patient's needs first and the planet right there with them.
Driver: At length, this is the person in charge of driving a NEMT vehicle and giving passengers rides to and from appointments. NEMT drivers need training in safety procedures, use of medical equipment, customer service and likely other special medical requirements dependant on their state or local regulations. In short, they're the ones behind the wheel, making sure passengers get where they need to go. Safe and sound.
Fleet: This is a group of vehicles used to provide NEMT services. From ambulances to wheelchair vans, sedans to specialty rides, a fleet might and can have it all! They can also be small and only be a couple of cars in tow (pun intended).
Insurance: There are many insurances that are provided as coverage to protect NEMT business owners, providers, drivers and passengers in case of accidents, injuries or property damage. And it’s important to know that insurance requirements may vary depending on state and local regulations and the type of services offered.
Medical Escort: These folks are the superheroes who tag along during transportation providing that companion care. They’re trained healthcare professionals that may include nurses, paramedics or other qualified personnel.
NEMT: We couldn’t leave out the best four-letter acronym! It’s the back bind — the glue — of the NEMT dictionary after all, right there smack dab in the middle, holding the rest of the words together. Anyway, as you all know by now, non-emergency medical transportation is a service provided to folks unable to utilize traditional modes of transportation such as their own car or public transit due to medical conditions or disabilities. And they do not require emergency medical attention, thus they reason they wouldn’t call an ambulance.
On-Time Performance: This is a time-based measurement so NEMT providers aim for punctuality, making sure their passengers get to their medical appointments and back right on time.
Provider: An organization or individual that offers and/or utilizes NEMT services. Providers may include transportation companies, healthcare facilities or government agencies.
Quality Assurance: These are the formal procedures and protocols put in place to uphold the safety, reliability, and satisfaction of NEMT services. This encompasses regular vehicle maintenance, comprehensive driver training, soliciting customer feedback through surveys and conducting compliance audits.
Ride Request: This is the official ask from a passenger for transportation services. This usually covers details like where the passenger is located, where they're headed and any special medical equipment needs they might have.
Run Bambi Run! This is that fun little button ready to dash and crunch algorithms in the backend of our software. It’s our aiNEMT running all the different combinations so you don’t have to — creating optimal and sustainable schedules and routes for your entire fleet and customers. Bambi runs to save lives and the plante’s forest at the same time.
Scheduling: The process of arranging transportation services to accommodate the needs of passengers’ bookings as well as availability of fleets and drivers.This could mean coordinating multiple trips, matching up vehicles and drivers and staying on top of any last-minute changes or cancellations to keep everything moving smooth and swift like Bambi.
Service Area: The region in which a NEMT provider offers its transportation services. Service areas may be limited by state and local regulatory restrictions, available resources or contractual agreements.
Technology Solutions: These are the essential technological tools on the market (like ours!) to optimize NEMT operations, facilitate effective communication and elevate the overall passenger experience. This includes software platforms, mobile applications, and other innovative solutions aimed at streamlining processes and ensuring seamless, swift and sustainable service. This may include scheduling software, GPS tracking systems and electronic billing systems. All of which we’ve integrated into our fun-in-one aiNEMT platform.
Trip Log: A record of all trips provided by a NEMT provider that include important details such as the date, time, origin, destination, mileage driven, passenger information and any other special accommodations met.
Bambi CEO Nirav Chheda talks with Marc Crawford, Director of Transportation at Swan Insurance, about everything new NEMT businesses need to know about getting insurance.
See the full interview on YouTube.
Please don't forget to subscribe and like NEMT Experts Podcast on YouTube.
Also, available to watch on Spotify
And listen (audio only) on your other favorite podcast platforms Apple and Pandora.
Learn about the essentials of NEMT insurance, including compliance, finding specialists, and the importance of safety. Discover the growth potential of the NEMT market.
Our caretech company is named after the most iconically cute Disney deer, Bambi. He’s an endearing (pun intended) character and contributor to the brand’s legacy of meaningful animation and stories chock-full of life lessons for children and adults to live by.
Here at Bambi, we live by the Disney film’s lessons because we believe Bambi knows best. Because of which, we felt called to carefully integrate those endearing characteristics we love about him into our tech. Our code and culture really is lined with tender loving care inspired by our role model at Disney, Bambi.
Here are some special things about the loveable deer that we aspire to be for our customers so that we can all provide that compassionate caregiving service through non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) services.
Regardless of the several challenges and even tragedies Bambi faces in the forest throughout his life, he demonstrates resilience by overcoming adversity (with the help of his furry friends’ mental and emotional support) and continues to grow and thrive as an adolescent deer. This strive for resilience, moving swiftly and steadily forward inspires us as a caretech company to persevere in the face of technical difficulties, competitive challenges and/or setbacks within the overall NEMT industry.
Bambi learns to adapt to many different environments, climates and forest situations as he grows from a furry fawn into an adult deer. Like Bambi, we adapt by studying the trends and cutting-edge AI-powered technology to evolve along with it. We’re always remaining adaptable to the inevitable changes in tech — as well as any political policy and regulation changes within the NEMT industry. We’re always learning, innovating and improving to evolve and meet the evolving needs of our NEMT customers, their patients and the healthcare industry.
We all know Bambi is a friend to all. It’s because he forms such close bonds with his loved ones through empathy, compassion and care. We love this facet about his character so much that being empathetic is one of our core values. We weave empathy into our team culture and it's apparent as it flows into our technology creating software for softies, too, putting patient-centered care front and center.
Bambi's deep connection with the forest and Mother Nature, in general, is obvious. It changes his life. It transforms him. This tight-knit relationship with his land (our planet) is something we take into consideration into the build of our NEMT software. We are creating technology that lowers the carbon footprint of our customers — so they’re on the roads less saving fuel while they save lives. We also incorporate nature-inspired elements into our tech in terms of simple, clean and natural design — just look at the soothing turquoise sea colors we use within our platform to promote a sense of calm and well-being.
Bambi is a courageous character, standing up to multiple threats to protect himself and his forest friends. We draw inspiration from Bambi's bravery to advocate not only for our NEMT business owners, but for patients' rights, integrating tech that supports their niche needs as we’re — along with our NEMT business owners — on the pursuit of better care for all.
By reflecting on these lessons from Bambi's benevolent character, we’ve integrated all that we can to cultivate a culture of resilience, empathy and innovation, providing only the highest quality caretech created for those who caretake.
So you've decided to embark on the rewarding journey of starting a non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) business. Fantastic! But before you hit the gas on your first vehicle (or wheelchair-accessible van), there's a crucial step: choosing the legal structure for your company. This seemingly mundane decision has significant implications for everything from liability protection to tax filing.
Let's explore the three most common business entity types for your NEMT businesses, along with their pros and cons, to help you steer your company in the right direction as a NEMTreprenuer.
For most NEMT businesses, the Limited Liability Company (LLC) emerges as the most attractive option. It offers the crucial benefit of limited liability protection without the complexity and expense of a corporation.
However, the best structure for your NEMT company depends on your specific circumstances. Here are some additional factors to consider:
Remember: This blog is for informational purposes only and shouldn't be considered legal advice. It's always wise to consult with an attorney and accountant to determine the best business structure for your unique NEMT business. With the right legal foundation in place, you can confidently navigate the road to success in the NEMT industry.
In today's fast paced, technological-first world, where innovation propels progress forward, the future of non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) — where tech-platforms like Bambi have already seamlessly integrated, improved and scaled the industry — services are set to keep moving ahead with nimbleness, agility and care.
As we navigate through tech-filled forests of code, as well as real life forests, staying attuned to environmental concerns and embracing sustainable practices will be crucial to staying ahead of the curve when it comes to the NEMT industry.
With this said, the future of NEMT will lie in the investment and continued innovation in technological advancements and sustainable best practices.
It’s important to note, that it takes humans to improve the tech that improves our human lives. So it will take compassionate, caring folks for people and our planet to keep this NEMT industry innovative and moving ahead of all others.
At Bambi, we’ve already seen our competition grow alongside our own care-tech business. SaaS NEMT platforms are not a new thing, nor is the industry. AI-powered platforms are the present and will continue to improve upon for the foreseeable future.
Connecting patients to their medical appointments through a streamlined app isn’t completely rocket science either (anymore, at least!) and has been around long before Uber and Bambi had a Bambi. Thanks to eager and driven entrepreneurs that care about care-tech and their industry of caregiving, Bambi has not only been adopted by early adopters like those tech savvy newbies in the NEMT business, but those long-time veterans looking to get off analog calendars and optimally schedule their fleets, routes and patient trips online, too!
There’s already quite the vibrant ecosystem filled with a plethora of NEMT platforms, where booking a ride is as easy as a few swipes and button clicks. We’re realists so know more tech companies will try and enter this market along with us. We’re not afraid. More competition just makes Bambi better. We’ll continue to iterate based on the NEMT market’s innovations from fleets to patient-needed features and beyond.
What we’ll start to see more of is more and more personalized patient assistance every wheel of the way — from automated reminders and real-time tracking (like watching your van pull up from booking to doorstep arrival) to integrated communication channels with the drivers themselves and healthcare providers, too.
Whereas on the other end of the platform, these SaaS providers factor in the optimal routes per NEMT fleet available, drivers’ schedules and the business owner’s sustainable practices — making sure scheduled rides are the most efficient in terms of gas, mileage, time and carbon footprint.
And because Bambi is a creature of the forest, we’re always considering our planet when we machine-teach Bambi to Run Bambi Run as fast and most efficiently as possible.
As mentioned before, as more and more companies focus on their sustainability goals and best practices, more will switch to fuel efficient and planet friendly fleets. For instance, we’ve already seen NEMT vehicles sustainably upgraded from gas to electric and everywhere in between with those hybrids, so who’s not to say the next NEMT vehicle will be fully-electric and self-driving? Or completely run off solar-energy? Or what about soul-powered cars moved by good vibes? The sky’s the limit or is it? Seems like space might be. How else will those living in remote areas zip through the skies to and from their medical appointments safely.
We digress, but what we mean to say is the future promises a diverse array of transportation modes tailored to meet the unique needs of every patient. And we wouldn’t be surprised if self-hovering choppers wouldn’t be far behind the pick up vans today.
Remember cassette decks and manual windows? Technology moves fast, especially in the automotive industry. This is to say, that as long as there’s a growing demand — which we know this fact already as the elderly population continues to grow and age — for wheelchair-accessible vehicles equipped with the state-of-the-art lift systems and spacious interiors, the automobile design industry will always have something to iterate and innovate upon. And these NEMT vehicle interior designers will always create comfortable and dignified ways for patients to travel in comfort and style.
The goal of NEMT isn't just to get patients to and from their appointments with ease; it's about empowering them every step of the way. Patient-centric care will continue to shift care-tech and caregivers focus.
Personalized trips to and from their appointments are complemented by a team of caring and compassionate drivers — we call them our dears on the road — trained to provide not just transportation, but also companionship and support along the way.
Moreover, technology plays a pivotal role in empowering patients to take control of their healthcare journey. From intuitive mobile apps that provide real-time updates and assistance to virtual care platforms that enable remote consultations and follow-ups, the future of NEMT is all about putting the power in the hands of patients, ensuring that they can access the care they need when and how they need it.
The future of NEMT is filled with progress and endless possibilities. From smart platforms and diverse transportation options to patient-centric care and sustainability initiatives innovation will always be at the forefront of transforming healthcare as a whole.
So buckle up Bambi friends. This is going to be a future where compassion meets technology for the betterment of our people and planet. That’s a world where Bambi and his friends would want to live and frolic in for the long haul.
The vital non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services haven’t always been in service or a service offered period. Can you imagine that? You better Bambi believe it!
It’s true, every industry has a starting point — a beginning, a story. And because we create care-tech for this caring NEMT industry, we thought it’d be interesting to study up and share some brief history on NEMT services to see how it’s evolved over the years.
At a high level, the concept of non-emergency medical transportation has been around for as long as medical care itself.
Historically, it’s been loved ones and fellow community members (talk about nice neighbors!) who would assist those in need of transportation to and from their medical appointments.
And for those those folks who didn’t have kind caretakers to call on, they would have to rely on public transportation — that is, if this was even an option where they lived. And we all know or, at least, understand how hopping along with crutches or being wheelchair bound could make even arriving at the bus stop a challenge, let alone getting on a bus that might not have the infrastructure or space for wheelchairs, walkers and other medical machinery.
In a worse case, prior to NEMT services, some patients wouldn’t even attend their appointments. Sadly, this still happens. Even when NEMT services are well-known, it’s not a prevalent service in some parts of the country, making that 9-1-1 emergency call a last resort for a non-emergency. And most would never make that call for the exuberant costs of dialing those three digits.
All this is why so many entrepreneurs are tapping into this growing billion dollar industry, but that’s an article we’ve already written.
Now, to get into the nitty gritty of historic dates, NEMT services began to emerge as a recognizable industry during the latter half of the 20th century, spurred by the Vietnam War.
It’s important to note, though, the exact timeline of when NEMT services became widespread can vary quite a lot depending on the part of the country and region-specific healthcare systems.
Here in the US, NEMT services began to really gain that traction in the late 1960s and 70s, as the government began to realize and recognize the need to provide transportation assistance to Medicaid beneficiaries for non-emergency medical appointments. This is directly correlated to the thousands of Vietnam soldiers returning home wounded and permanently disabled who would need long-term care. The inclusion in the Medicaid program significantly boosted the formalization and growth of NEMT services as an industry, and, in fact, today almost 3.2 million Medicaid beneficiaries use NEMT on a regular basis.
NEMT officially became a state-administered service in 1974 following the Smith v. Vowell District Court Case. This meant states became directly responsible for providing patients with medical transportation to and from their medical appointment. Because it became a state responsibility, individual state governments needed to tackle the infrastructure and policies to make this service available to its tax payers and patients in need.
Upon recognizing the critical importance of ensuring the safety and reliability of NEMT whilst watching demand for such services grow, governments and healthcare organizations got more and more involved (and continue to do so). They realized the need to standardize the industry. To do this, they started implementing standard operating procedures for upgrading vehicles, creating training programs for drivers and developing eligibility criteria for starting an NEMT business.
Worth it for the red tape (and don’t worry, it’s not much!), as it sure is an industry that’s really driving the economy forward and up these days!
All in all, it’s important to remind ourselves that before NEMT was a popular four-letter acronym of a service and serviced industry, patients had to be patient. They had to lean on a lot on loved ones and wait out and for policies, infrastructures and insurances to be set in place. These things take time, but in time this industry has taken off and is still on the run and running nimbly, like Bambi!
The good news for the future is that:
When there’s a demand for NEMT wheels, there’s always a way for more businesses in the market! And as populations grow (especially the elderly) and age older, the demand for NEMT services grows, too.
And the NEMT will continue to add success stories to its history, like bringing emerging tech (like Bambi!) into it, too. Be sure to stay tuned to our Insight articles as we have a story about the future of the NEMT coming soon to add more fun to the overall industry’s coming of age story.
The NEMT business holds promise due to several factors:
If you're a business-minded individual with a passion for healthcare, starting a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) business could be a rewarding and lucrative endeavor.
However, it's essential to carefully assess the market and understand the potential and feasibility before diving in.
The NEMT sector is experiencing significant growth fueled by several factors:
NEMT businesses have the potential for profitability, especially with a well-executed plan and streamlined operations. Here's a breakdown of the average costs involved along with some considerations when calculating profitability:
While the NEMT industry offers opportunities, it's essential to determine if it aligns with your skills, resources, and passion. Consider the following:
Launching a successful NEMT business requires careful planning, dedication, and the right tools. In-depth market research, a detailed business plan, securing funding, and investing in software that streamlines your operations are critical for long-term viability.
If you're ready to explore this dynamic and growing industry, stay tuned for future articles where we delve deeper into the steps involved in starting your NEMT business!
OR jump to another section!
This complete step-by-step guide covers the following:
When discussing dignity in healthcare, oftentimes it’s referred to the care provided at the end of a patient’s life, ensuring their passing is supported with the utmost comfort and respect. However, this article explores healthcare dignity from the angle of improving and prolonging patients' lives, allowing them to live with dignity, too.
Because at Bambi, we’re all about empowering individuals to lead more dignified lives, which is why we prioritize empathy and care for patients benefiting from our care-tech. And having studied the industry and been supporting the NEMT businesses for a while now, we know and have witnessed first-hand the positive impact that NEMT services have on an entire community let alone an individual's promotion of their own self will.
The obvious impact of NEMT services extends far beyond transportation to and from medical appointments — it plays a pivotal role in promoting independence and dignity for patients. Here’s how:
This, perhaps, is the most obvious outcome when patients have access to NEMT services. It’s simple. If patients can utilize an NEMT service, they’re able to reach the medical appointments, treatments and therapies they need, arriving to and from their appointments safe, sound and seen.
Some people have relatives who are free to drive Miss Daisy to and from her weekly appointments, but most aren’t as lucky. And even when they have someone available to help drive them, no one wants to burn out a loved one by asking for lifts to/from appointments on a regular basis. More than 40 percent of older and disabled adults rely on family, friends and neighbors for rides, and around three-quarters of caregivers list providing or arranging transport as one of their primary duties, according to a 2021 survey by the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC), a program administered by USAging and Easterseals that promotes accessible transit.
NEMT services let patients own their own schedule and not interrupt their families’ day-to-day lives. By providing reliable transportation options that fit their needs, NEMT services reduce patients' reliance on caregivers or family members for rides. This increased independence enhances their self-sufficiency, diminishing those icky feelings of dependency.
Access to NEMT support upholds patients' dignity by providing them with safe transportation options that respects their autonomy and privacy. There’s no need to call up a family member or even an ambulance, which can sometimes bring up feelings of shame. NEMT service really is a dignity-affirming one in promoting patients' self-esteem, self-respect, which contributes to their overall sense of well-being.
NEMT services offer patients the flexibility and convenience to schedule trips to their medical appointments according to their own unique schedules, granting them autonomy and control over their own time.This also allows for those feel-good feelings of being independent (again), enabling patients to make healthcare decisions free from family matters and other external limitations.
All in all, through our extensive research of the industry — and in literally being out on the road with our dear customers — we can vouch that NEMT services is one for those softies, and empowers patients to live more dignified and independent lives, positively impacting their health and those of their relationships.
