Growing Demand for Wheelchair and Gurney Transportation

Los Angeles County is experiencing a significant demographic shift, with a rapidly growing senior population. This trend is driving increased demand for specialized wheelchair and gurney transportation.  Additionally, a substantial portion of seniors do not qualify for Medicaid benefits, further influencing the dynamics of healthcare transportation needs in the region. 

As of July 2023, approximately 15.7% of Los Angeles County's population is aged 65 and over, equating to about 1.5 million individuals. Projections indicate that this number will double to over 2.1 million by 2030. This surge is attributed to the aging Baby Boomer generation and increased life expectancy. 

The growing senior demographic underscores the heightened need for TRVLCare services.  Area hospitals, emergency rooms, and medical centers face significant operational and financial challenges when they lack adequate wheelchair and stretcher transportation for discharged patients. Without reliable non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), patients who are medically cleared for discharge may be forced to stay overnight simply because they have no safe way to leave the facility. This not only leads to unnecessary bed occupancy, straining hospital capacity and reducing available space for incoming patients in need of urgent care, but it also creates financial losses, as hospitals typically cannot bill insurance or patients for
extended stays that are not medically necessary.

Additionally, prolonged stays increase the risk of hospital-acquired infections and patient dissatisfaction, further impacting the facility's overall efficiency and reputation. Ensuring that transportation services are readily available is crucial for optimizing patient flow, improving financial sustainability, and maintaining high-quality care.

A significant segment of the senior population does not qualify for Medi-Cal benefits, forcing them to pay out-of-pocket for wheelchair and gurney transportation.  This gap between those receiving Medi-Cal subsidized transportation versus those paying out-of-pocket highlights the need for TRVLCare and affordable, accessible transportation solutions for seniors who fall outside public assistance programs.

Determining the exact percentage of seniors in  Los Angeles County who are on government assistance versus those who are  not is complex due to varying eligibility criteria and program  participation rates. However, it is noteworthy that 14.7% of the  county's population and 16.9% in the City of Los Angeles live below the federal poverty level, indicating a  significant portion of residents who may rely on government assistance  programs with the rest of non-qualifying seniors are forced to pay  out-of-pocket for non-emergency medical transportation services. 

TRVLCare continues to collaborate and partner with hospitals,  emergency rooms, nursing facilities and supporting agencies throughout  Los Angeles County and surrounding regions to increase accessibility and raise awareness for  increased support services.