What is a loaded mile?
A loaded mile is a mile driven while the rider is on board, measured from pickup to drop-off. Payers reimburse loaded miles (billed under mileage codes such as A0425) at a per-mile rate on top of the base rate. Miles driven to reach the pickup, or to return after the drop-off, are deadhead miles and are not billable in most contracts.
Why loaded miles matter for NEMT
Loaded-mile ratio, the share of total miles driven with a paying rider on board, is one of the most important efficiency metrics in NEMT. A ratio under 50 percent means half your fuel, wear and driver hours are unpaid. Route optimization, clustering trips by area, multi-loading compatible riders and turning down far-flung single trips all raise the ratio. Payers also verify loaded mileage against mapping software, so claim the shortest reasonable route.
Related terms
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