Sanitary transport involves transporting a patient to a medical entity (such as a hospital or clinic) or from the entity to his or her home if the patient cannot move independently. Sanitary transport is carried out in an ambulance in which the patient is cared for by medical personnel. As the Patient Ombudsman's office explains, sanitary transport can be used if a doctor in the PCP or AOS issues such an order. Transport can be free, partially paid or fully paid.
Free sanitary transport is available if it concerns the initiation of necessary treatment in a medical facility - the patient will then be transported to the nearest facility that provides services of the type in question. Free transport is also available if the patient will continue treatment that has been started (e.g., transporting the patient from one hospital to another for, for example, tests or continuation of treatment), and if the patient has a musculoskeletal dysfunction that prevents the use of public transportation.
Partially paid transportation is available to patients who are able to move independently without the constant assistance of another person, but who require the assistance of another person or a means of public transportation adapted to the needs of the disabled when using public transportation. Transit by means of sanitary transport is financed at 40 percent. The degree of the insured person's disability is determined by the doctor when issuing an order for transportation. Funding of such transportation at 40 percent is possible if the patient suffers from one of the diseases listed in the regulation (these include diseases of the blood and hematopoietic organs, cancer, mental illness, nervous, respiratory, digestive, circulatory, trauma and poisoning).
In other cases, travel by means of sanitary transport to a health care facility providing services in the relevant area, there and back, is charged.
Importantly, sanitary transport is not used for medical or life-threatening emergencies - in such situations, the emergency room is called. It is also important that the emergency medical team does not provide sanitary transport services.
For more information on sanitary transport, visit the Patient Navigator.
Source: MPC Office
