MTM Health has long been synonymous with non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), ensuring Medicaid and Medicare members can access the healthcare they need. But what if we could do more? Beyond healthcare access, there’s an opportunity for health plans to improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare expenses, and enhance the quality of life for members. That’s where our focus on social determinants of health (SDOH) comes in.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health through Transportation
Forward-thinking managed care organizations recognize that social determinants of health are critical drivers of health risks and outcomes. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, these factors can influence up to 80% of health outcomes. A healthy lifestyle is shaped by our homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. Unfortunately, these are often determined by the social and economic opportunities available to us. Medicaid members, who are low-income by definition, face significant challenges in meeting basic needs like food, employment, and shelter—factors that directly impact their health. And Medicare members face similar challenges as they age, relying more and more on caregivers to help them access their community and support them at home.
Transportation: The Missing Link
Transportation is a crucial yet often overlooked piece of the puzzle. Reliable transportation enables members to access better employment and education opportunities, maintain social connections through recreational outings, and consistently access daily essentials like grocery stores, pharmacies, and healthy food options without relying on a friend or family member.
MTM Health provides more than 35 million trips annually, connecting members to healthcare services. But our capabilities extend beyond medical appointments. We can support your efforts to expand transportation benefits to non-medical trips, ensuring members can access a broad range of community services that address SDOH—from education and job access, to social events and family outings, to errands like grocery shopping and pharmacy stops. As your transportation partner, MTM Health helps bridge the gap between members and their communities, enhancing overall wellbeing.
