ProfitDrawer's medical transportation business guide gives an example budget of about $3,000 to $36,100. The vehicle decides most of it: a van down payment ($0 if you already own a reliable minivan, up to $15,000), a wheelchair ramp or lift with securement straps ($0 to $8,000) and commercial auto insurance for the first months ($1,500 to $6,000). The guide also sets aside a $1,000 to $4,000 cash buffer for repairs. These are example ranges; your costs will differ.
Example budget (your costs will differ):
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle down payment (low: minivan you own) | $0 | $15,000 |
| Wheelchair ramp or lift, securement straps | $0 | $8,000 |
| Commercial auto insurance (first months) | $1,500 | $6,000 |
| Business registration and local licenses | $100 | $800 |
| Background checks, driving records, first aid and CPR training | $200 | $1,000 |
| Phone and scheduling tools | $100 | $500 |
| Marketing (flyers, cards, visits to clinics) | $100 | $800 |
| Cash buffer for repairs and slow weeks | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| Total | $3,000 | $36,100 |
For Medicaid trips the rate comes from your state program, so you do not set it. For private pay and facility trips, you do.
In the guide's worked example, a 30 mile round trip to a clinic takes 1.5 hours including the wait: $30 of your time at $20 an hour, $18 of van running cost, $8 of insurance and $5 of other overhead, for $61. Adding 20% to the cost (a 20% markup) gives $73.20, rounded to $75 per round trip. Wheelchair trips take longer, so time and price them separately. Put your own quotes into the free startup cost calculator.
Source: How to Start a Medical Transportation Business (ProfitDrawer guide) · Updated
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General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Check the rules for your state and your situation.