What is a vehicle inspection in NEMT?

NEMT vehicle inspection has two layers. The first is the periodic inspection required by the state Medicaid program, the broker or the licensing agency, typically annual, covering safety equipment, lifts and ramps, securement systems, tires, brakes, signage, first-aid kits, fire extinguishers and cleanliness. The second is the driver's daily pre-trip inspection, documented on a checklist, which catches defects before a rider boards.

Why inspections matter for NEMT

A vehicle that fails a broker inspection is pulled from service, and trips already assigned to it are reassigned to competitors. Missing daily inspection records are a common audit finding. Keep inspection reports, lift maintenance logs and repair invoices in a per-vehicle file, and use a fleet maintenance schedule so inspections do not surprise you. The ultimate guide to fleet maintenance lays out a working program.

Related terms

• Livery Vehicle
• Wheelchair Securement System
• Stretcher Van
• Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV)
• Incident Report