When the Ride Doesn’t Come: The Hidden Toll of Missed Appointments in High-Acuity Care

Source - DigiBeat Health Monitoring Systems

At 360 Quality Care + Transport Services, we understand that for seniors and individuals with complex health needs, transportation isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about getting to the care that keeps them alive.

For patients managing chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac disease, consistent access to specialists is critical. Yet transportation barriers remain one of the most overlooked threats to health outcomes. According to the Journal of General Internal Medicine, 67% of patients who missed appointments due to transportation issues experienced worse health outcomes, including disease progression and increased hospitalization rates.

In fact, research shows that 25% or more of missed clinic appointments are directly tied to transportation challenges, and in 2017 alone, 5.8 million Americans delayed medical care because they lacked reliable transportation. For cardiac patients, missing a follow-up with a specialist can mean the difference between early intervention and a life-threatening event. Delayed care often leads to unmanaged symptoms, emergency room visits, and avoidable complications.

This isn’t just a logistical issue—it’s a systemic one. Seniors and medically vulnerable individuals deserve more than a fragmented system that leaves them stranded. They deserve dignity, consistency, and care that meets them where they are.

At 360, we believe Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) must evolve into a cornerstone of health equity. Every missed appointment is a missed chance to intervene, to comfort, to heal.

Let’s build a future where no patient’s health is compromised by the absence of a quality ride and missed appointment.