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.
Ever wondered what happens when Mrs. Jones down the street needs a ride to her podiatrist appointment (because let's face it, those bunions aren't going to walk themselves)? Enter the fascinating, fast-paced, and sometimes (whispers) slightly chaotic world of NEMT, also known as Non-Emergency Medical Transportation.
Now, before you get all sirens-blaring excited, NEMT isn't about flashing lights and emergency crews. It's about ensuring folks who need to get to medical appointments but can't drive themselves, get there safely and comfortably. Think friendly drivers, comfy vans (although a fancy ambulance would be pretty cool), and a whole lot of logistical wrangling to make sure everyone gets where they need to be on time.
The NEMT crew caters to a diverse bunch. Imagine everyone from senior citizens needing dialysis treatment to folks with disabilities requiring ongoing medical care. They're the friendly faces who help ensure everyone has access to the medical attention they deserve, regardless of their ability to get there themselves.
So, who makes the NEMT magic happen? Let's meet the crew:
Okay, let's be honest, NEMT isn't always sunshine and lollipops (although we wish it could be!). There can be challenges like managing tight schedules, dealing with unexpected delays (traffic jams, anyone?), and ensuring everything runs smoothly even when things get a little bumpy.
But hey, that's where the problem-solving skills and teamwork come in! The NEMT crew thrives on finding creative solutions and working together to make sure every ride is a success.
Need Help? Bambi has you covered! Our comprehensive NEMT management software is tailor made for a new NEMT owner.Bambi is an AI-powered dispatch and scheduling platform for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) companies, that helps NEMT dispatchers and drivers communicate, optimize trips, and manage their routes and riders in real-time.
Our time is finite. It’s outrageously brief, however, we have many “shimmering possibilities of our four thousand weeks,” according to Oliver Burkeman, the author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.
Four thousand weeks is assuming we live to be eighty years old. Some will live longer, some shorter. And if we think about time and what most of us adults do with most of it, we’re in jobs to support our livelihood.
Remember our name was inspired by the magical sparkle dust that is Disney? So, of course, we at Bambi, love a good adjective that shines. And the illuminating description of “shimmering possibilities” definitely emulates a positive outcome and provides much hope for our future careers.
First and foremost, it’s important to know that you can always change your career to have a shiny new job. It’s never too late. And secondly, there should be no shame in doing so. Follow your heart and work hard for it!
We’ve rounded up some interesting statistics that might help you feel more empowered about changing your career, if you happen to be on the fence about it. But then we’ll focus on folks in caretaking careers as those are our customers after all.
It’s also important to note, when people think about a big change in career, some think they have to switch up the entire industry. And that’s not the case. For instance, if you’re a softie who works in healthcare, you can still find a new career path within the wider system. It can be as simple as swapping out those scrubs for software instead. We’ll explain what we mean by this later, but first, those stats!
Now about that career pivot in healthcare for those who have a knack for and love of caretaking, but might just have an entrepreneurial calling; have you heard of the multi-billion dollar non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) industry?
It’s a booming industry and will remain on the rise for the foreseeable future. And the more healthcare providers and policy makers see the growing demand, the more they’ll invest in NEMT services, creating even more opportunities for NEMT businesses (and even tech companies to support them!) to enter the market.
At Bambi, we’re in the business of supporting NEMT businesses — whether they're new to the game or long-time veterans. And we’ve seen a lot of folks trading their scrubs for software in order to stay in the healthcare industry, but to take on a more of this entrepreneurial role we’re speaking of.
Sure, we’re being playful when we say to trade out your scrubs for some tech setup (maybe you still like wearing scrubs at the desk, dispatching or out driving when you pick up patients — you do you!) What we are serious about, though, is that this can be a viable and doable career change.
Especially, because we know that our software fits right into an first-time entrepreneur’s startup pack and streamlines their workflow from optimally syncing schedules, trips, fleets and routes all through our fun-in-one, AI-powered scheduling algorithm. We really make the management side of the NEMT business not just seem easy peasy, but be an actual breeze. Bambi really knows best.
We also know individuals transitioning from the world of caretaking whether that be specific to home care or hospitals, healthcare professionals have a deep understanding of patient care, medical needs and healthcare systems, which can be valuable assets in starting and managing a NEMT business. In addition, doctors, nurses, medical support staff or even office clerks, may have an entrepreneurial spirit and be drawn to the aspect of owning a business in order to make a positive impact on their community's access to healthcare.
All in all, as the demand for NEMT services continues to grow due to an aging population and increasing healthcare needs, as well as more and more folks having a calling to create a more flexible and autonomous career for themselves, we couldn’t recommend owning a NEMT business more. It might just be that shimmering dream job you’ve been driven (pun-intended!) to do. And when you’re ready to switch out those scrubs, know we’ve got you covered with the softly designed software!
Check out our How to Start an NEMT business guide for a comprehensive guide on what to do to have a successful NEMT launch.
Anyone in the care business has to have a big, warm heart and a soft, squishy soul.
At Bambi, we are serious about CareTech that supports businesses who provide and connect healthcare. So, you could say we create software for softies.
We care even more for our customers, the good-hearted people driving non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) businesses, who use our NEMT software on a daily basis to take care of their companies and customers in need of their care.
We strive to be and build like Bambi. Always. This is why our software is delicately designed with the unique needs of both our customers and theirs in mind. It’s why we bring our whole hearts into the hard work of making the work of our NEMT business customers easier. Because when their on-screen work is streamlined, they get to spend more time off of it — being fully present with their customers, who could really use their positive energy and soft-souled attention for pick up, transport and drop off.
At the core of our code is a big soft spot. Some might say it’s empathy. Those in the tech industry, however, would call it human-centric design. Here at Bambi, we would simply name it just that: Bambi.
There’s even a button labeled “Run Bambi Run” that runs on AI-powered algorithms optimally scheduling and routing an entire NEMT fleet from patient pick up to drop off at their medical appointments to, ultimately, arriving home, post-medical dialysis, routine check up, what be it — sustainably. Not only are we coding in softness for NEMT patients but for our planet, too.
We understand that not all NEMT software users are tech-savvy and, that at the end of the day, most of us are simply looking for simple tools that are gentle, intuitive and save us time for what really matters — life happening off the screen.
That's why our experienced team of software developers are dedicated to continually crafting and iterating our platform, prioritizing ease-of-use above all else. No matter if you’re a NEMT business veteran or new to the business, our all-in-fun platform is as easy as pressing down on the gas and going!
Our platform’s simple, clean design is not only soft on the eye, it’s scientifically calming on the entire whole being’s well-being. From Bambi’s user-friendly interfaces to calming color palettes, every aspect of our software is designed with softness in mind.
Inside our platform customers experience lots of clutter-free and cleansing white space reducing cognitive load, all the while putting the mind at ease entirely.
They also experience soothing splashes of tranquil turquoise in our buttons to call action and attention to calm — it’s our primary brand color after all!
Did you know that our branded turquoise color “combines the calming properties of blue with the renewal qualities of green, making it a color that promotes emotional balance and stability.” It’s also a color when used in environments, be that in tech or physical spaces, it invigorates mental activity and a sense of emotional well-being. (Turquoise Color Psychology and Meaning). And because we want our customers’ work environment to flow creatively and with balance like any serene sea, we keep the turquoise in sight across our site for that subtle sweet serenity.
Not only are we about carefully building CareTech Software, we’re about cultivating and nurturing a community of like-souled individuals (or “dears on the road,” as we like to call them) in the NEMT business who appreciate our keen attention to every calming detail in our technology so they can feel safer and more efficient on the road.
Have you seen our podcast - NEMT Experts on YouTube or Spotify? We love having the opportunity to be right there in their NEMT vehicles with our community of NEMT drivers, dispatchers and business owners! Because the more we experience their day-to-day joys and get to know the inevitable industry pain points, the more we can design, build in and ship features needed to make their lives even easier — making those patients needing to get the healthcare needed, streamlined, too.
This adage reminds us that kindness and strength can exist simultaneously. It's easy to mistake compassion, empathy, or a gentle approach for a lack of inner fortitude. However, true strength often lies in the ability to remain compassionate in the face of difficulty or to extend forgiveness instead of seeking retribution. Softness is a manifestation of emotional intelligence and flexibility, while weakness implies a lack of determination or character.
If you think about it, Bambi’s created one big, soft and resilient forest-full of tender loving care to help transform NEMT tech, professionals and healthcare.
