What is a base rate?

The base rate is the fixed fee a payer pays for each one-way trip, before any mileage, wait time or add-ons. Base rates are set by level of service, so a wheelchair trip has a higher base than an ambulatory trip and a stretcher trip higher still. A typical broker rate card lists a base rate plus a per-loaded-mile rate for each level of service.

Why base rates matter for NEMT

On short urban trips the base rate is most of your revenue, so a few dollars of difference between brokers changes your margin materially. When comparing contracts, model your actual trip mix: a contract with a high base and low mileage rate favors short trips; a low base with a strong mileage rate favors rural providers. Use the guide to how much to charge for NEMT trips to benchmark.