Med-Cab non-emergency medical transportation service is a new business expected to launch in the first quarter of 2024. The base location for Med-Cab is Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. In 2020 my mother who had been healthy her entire life was suddenly diagnosed with multiple medical conditions. With the help of friends and family, we were able to get her to her appointments but over time it began to take its toll. I began to hear other working professionals complain about the amount of off-time they have to use to drive their parents to medical appointments. I had been told that insurance would pay for transportation but there were only a few NEMT providers in the area, making wait times weeks or more. It was clear that there was a need for an NEMT service in my hometown of Natchitoches, La. 

 

Established in 1714, Natchitoches, La. is the oldest town established in the Louisiana Purchase. It is deeply rooted in history and culture. Much of the Natchitoches population are large families that date back hundreds of years. The point is, despite the lack of industry and population growth, many of the citizens prefer to travel to the larger cities rather than relocate from Natchitoches.

 

In modern-day America, doing without proper medical care should not be a sacrifice one has to make. With a population of only 40,000 people, there is limited access to quality medical specialists putting the burden on the patient to travel to larger cities where their physicians are located.  

 

As the majority of baby boomers are entering their senior years, some are restricted from driving and others simply don’t feel safe on the road after dark or traveling long distances. As a result, patients rely on their family, friends, and neighbors to transport them to Shreveport or Alexandria which are both 60 miles away, or Baton Rouge and New Orleans approximately 4 and 6 hours away. Eventually, these lengthy drive times and travel expenses become too much, physically and financially for the family to handle. 

 

Med-Cab’s mission is to provide safe and reliable transportation to bridge the gap between physician and patient . This service will relieve the patient’s family from the burden of travel and allow the patient to be consistent with proper medical appointments. Thus, enhancing the quality of life for the patient and family.