Before You Book a Medical Ride

NEMT or Rideshare?
Know the Difference.

When you're arranging transportation for yourself, a parent, grandparent or someone else you care for, the lowest-priced ride isn't always the only consideration.

Coastal Care Transport provides specialized Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) focused on dependable medical trips, passenger support and direct local communication.

Get an Instant Quote Book Online Call (757) 942-5254
Medical Transportation Focus CPR & First Aid Trained Direct Booking No Surge Pricing
Coastal Care Transport white Chrysler Pacifica medical transportation vehicle

30-Second Answer

Standard rideshare services such as UberX are designed primarily for general passenger transportation. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation is focused specifically on helping people travel to healthcare appointments with a transportation provider that understands medical scheduling, mobility considerations, recurring care and the needs of patients and caregivers.

More Than Getting From A to B

When the Trip Is Medical, the Details Matter

Rideshare can be a convenient transportation option. But when the passenger is traveling for medical care, families may want a transportation service built specifically around that purpose.

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Passenger Support

Our service allows additional time and personal attention for passengers who may need assistance safely getting to and from the vehicle within our service and safety guidelines.

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Care-Focused Training

Coastal Care drivers receive First Aid, CPR and choking-response training—an additional level of preparedness for the passengers and families we serve.

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Medical Scheduling

Doctor appointments, dialysis, therapy, recurring treatment, diagnostic visits and other scheduled medical trips are at the center of what we do.

Side-by-Side

Specialized NEMT vs. Standard Rideshare

UberX and Coastal Care Transport can both provide transportation. The difference is the type of service each is designed to provide.

What Matters Coastal Care Transport Typical UberX / Standard Rideshare
Primary purpose Non-Emergency Medical Transportation General passenger transportation
Medical appointment focus Yes Not specifically
Passenger assistance Available within our service and safety guidelines Uber describes UberX as appropriate for riders who can enter and exit the vehicle independently
CPR / First Aid training Yes Not listed as a standard requirement for Uber drivers
Choking-response training Yes Not listed as a standard Uber driver requirement
Recurring medical trips A core part of our service Rides can be scheduled, but UberX is not a dedicated NEMT service
Family / caregiver communication Direct communication with our local transportation company Transportation is primarily coordinated through the rideshare platform
Pricing Published zone-based rates Pricing can vary by trip, time and market conditions
Surge pricing No surge pricing Dynamic pricing may apply when demand is high

This comparison refers primarily to standard UberX/rideshare service. Uber also offers separate healthcare transportation products, including Uber Health and third-party NEMT options. Services vary by market, provider and ride type.

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More Than a Driver

First Aid • CPR • Choking Response

Preparedness Matters

Additional Training Can Matter to Families

When you're arranging transportation for yourself or someone you care about, knowing that the person behind the wheel has additional emergency-response training can provide another level of confidence.

  • First Aid training
  • CPR training
  • Choking-response training
  • Medical transportation awareness
  • Patient-focused service

Important: Coastal Care Transport provides non-emergency transportation and is not an ambulance or emergency medical service. Call 911 for a medical emergency.

What Does Specialized Transportation Cost?

The Price Gap Between Rideshare and Medical Transportation May Be Smaller Than You Think

Standard rideshare may cost less on some trips—particularly very short ones. But on many Hampton Roads trips, the difference between standard rideshare and specialized medical transportation may be smaller than families expect.

Community Access
≤ 5 miles per leg · $20 each way

Community Access is based on distance from Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center (1020 Bon Secours Dr, Suffolk, VA 23435), not the standard zones — pickup must be within 5 road miles of this location, and the loaded trip must not exceed 5 road miles. Otherwise, the standard zone rate applies.

Current Coastal Care Ambulatory Rates

Our existing approved rate schedule remains in effect. The trip distance is measured from the passenger's pickup location to the destination.

0–15 miles $40 flat rate • one way
16–25 miles $55 flat rate • one way
26–35 miles $70 flat rate • one way
Out of zone $3.25/mi from our office
Illustrative Hampton Roads Examples

How Does That Compare With Uber?

These examples use Uber's own published historical average route prices. They are provided only to illustrate possible price differences and are not current guaranteed Uber quotes.

About 5 miles

Short Trip

Uber published average ~$15
Coastal Care $20
About $5 difference
About 12 miles

Local Trip

Uber published average ~$37
Coastal Care $40
About $3 difference
About 18 miles

Regional Trip

Uber published average ~$47
Coastal Care $55
About $8 difference
About 28 miles

Extended Trip

Uber published average ~$63
Coastal Care $70
About $7 difference

Uber pricing examples are historical averages published by Uber for Hampton Roads-area routes and may change based on pickup location, destination, time, traffic, demand and other factors. They are not fixed or guaranteed fares. Coastal Care prices shown are based on our current ambulatory rate schedule and trip mileage. Specific routes may fall into a different Coastal Care mileage category depending on the actual pickup and destination. The 5-mile Coastal Care price shown is the Community Access fare, which applies when pickup is within 5 road miles of Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center and the trip is 5 road miles or less. Otherwise, the standard zone rate applies.

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Compare More Than Price

What Does the Additional Cost Provide?

For many medical trips, the important comparison isn't simply the fare. It's what the passenger and family receive for that fare.

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Predictable Pricing

Our current zone-based pricing helps families know what the transportation will cost before the trip. We do not use surge pricing.

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Direct Local Communication

Customers, family members and caregivers can communicate directly with Coastal Care Transport rather than relying solely on an app.

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Built Around Medical Trips

Medical appointments, recurring treatments and scheduled care are not an add-on to our business. They are the reason our transportation service exists.

For Families & Caregivers

Choosing Transportation for Mom or Dad?

The question isn't only: "Can someone give them a ride?"

You may also want to ask:

  • Does the driver understand that this is a medical appointment?
  • Will the passenger be given enough time to safely reach the vehicle?
  • Can I speak directly with the transportation provider?
  • Can recurring appointments be arranged ahead of time?
  • Does the driver have CPR and First Aid training?
  • Can we discuss mobility or assistance needs before the trip?
  • Will we know the transportation price before booking?
  • Can we call the same local transportation company again?

For many families, those questions can be just as important as the price of the ride.

Choose Transportation Built Around the Passenger

When getting to healthcare matters, choose a local transportation company focused on dependable service, personal attention and Compassion in Every Mile.

Call (757) 942-5254 Get an Instant Quote Book Online

NEMT vs. Rideshare FAQs

Answers to common questions families ask when choosing transportation for medical appointments.

What is the difference between NEMT and rideshare?

Standard rideshare services are primarily designed for general passenger transportation. NEMT is specifically focused on transportation to healthcare appointments and the needs that can come with scheduled medical travel.

Is Uber always cheaper than Coastal Care Transport?

No single answer applies to every trip. Standard rideshare can be less expensive, particularly for very short rides. However, Uber's own published Hampton Roads averages show that on some longer trips, the difference between standard rideshare and Coastal Care's current NEMT rate may be relatively small. Uber prices can also vary by trip and market conditions.

Are Coastal Care drivers CPR and First Aid trained?

Yes. Coastal Care drivers receive First Aid, CPR and choking-response training. Coastal Care Transport is not an ambulance or emergency medical service. Call 911 for emergencies.

How much does Coastal Care Transport cost?

Our Community Access fare is $20 each way when pickup is within 5 road miles of Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center (1020 Bon Secours Dr, Suffolk, VA 23435) and the trip is 5 road miles or less. Otherwise, the standard zone rates apply: $40 for 0–15 miles, $55 for 16–25 miles and $70 for 26–35 miles. Trips with a pickup or drop-off outside our service area, or a ride over 35 miles, are $3.25 per mile, counted from our office to the pickup and then the ride.

Do you have surge pricing?

No. Coastal Care Transport does not increase its transportation rate simply because ride demand is high.

Comparison information & sources:

This page compares Coastal Care Transport primarily with standard rideshare/UberX transportation. Uber also operates Uber Health and offers separate healthcare transportation options, including third-party NEMT services. Those services should not be assumed to be the same as a standard UberX trip.

Uber price examples shown above are based on historical average prices published by Uber for Hampton Roads-area routes. Uber states that actual prices can vary according to factors including time, traffic, pickup location, destination and rider demand. Examples are provided for general educational comparison only and are not guaranteed Uber fares.

Sources: Uber — Suffolk, Virginia • Uber — Suffolk to Portsmouth

Coastal Care rates shown on this page reflect the company's current rate schedule. Always use the Instant Quote tool or contact Coastal Care Transport for the estimated price of a specific trip.