As a result, there is more competition and prices tend to be more competitive. Factors That Influence the Cost of Medical Transportation in Florida. In some cases, going home in a taxi cab or by other means of public transportation is not feasible or appropriate after having surgery or another medical procedure. This is when non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) is beneficial. A quality NEMT provider will match medical staff with the patient to ensure the best possible care.

Population increases among baby boomers and the elderly have created numerous business opportunities for enterprising individuals. One of those businesses is that of a non-emergency medical transport company. Non-emergency medical transport companies drive disabled or elderly patients to doctors' offices or pharmacies.

If you want to start a non-emergency medical transport company, you need a van or SUV that permits easy access to and from your vehicle and a lifting ramp for wheelchairs. You can expect to earn an income averaging between $40,000 and $50,000 annually. Income and QualificationsThe average annual income for a non-emergency medical transport company owner was $46,000 as of 2013, according to the job site Indeed. While a high school degree is sufficient, a bachelor's in business can provide you with some marketing and finance background to better run your company.

Laws vary by state but you will likely need to complete training both for first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, available through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. A course in defensive driving through the National Safety Council is also a typical requirement for this business. Non-emergency medical transport company owners may need to register as medical transport providers through their states, as in Oregon, for example, according to the SBA. You will also probably need a chauffeur's license and be required to register your business name if you're operating as a company. They Other essential requirements are a driver's license, liability insurance, patience and customer service skills. Regional IncomesIn 2013, average incomes for non-emergency medical transport company owners varied the most within the West region, according to Indeed, where they earned the least in Hawaii and most in California - $30,000 and $50,000, respectively. Those in the Northeast made $40,000 to $56,000 per year in Maine and New York, respectively.

If you owned a non-emergency medical transport company in Louisiana or Washington, D.C., you'd average $40,000 or $55,000, respectively, which is the lowest and highest earnings in the South region. In the Midwest, you'd make the most in Illinois and least in Nebraska and South Dakota at $51,000 and 34,000, respectively. Contributing FactorsNon-emergency medical transport company owners usually earn more the longer they're in business, as they become better known in their communities and acquire more clients. You can proactively increase your earnings by promoting your business more to retirement communities, hospitals and doctors' offices. You'll earn more if you live in New York, California or Washington, D.C., because living expenses are higher in these states and districts. This means you can likely charge more for your services - what the market will bear - in New York City or Washington, D.C., where costs for services are typically higher.

The higher prices may help boost your income. Job OutlookThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't forecast jobs for non-emergency medical transport companies.

It predicts a 32 percent increase in jobs for ambulance drivers and attendants from 2010 to 2020, which is much faster than average. Although ambulance drivers tend to those who have emergencies, population increases among the elderly likely impact the number of available jobs for both emergency and non-emergency transport drivers.