NEMT Dispatch Services Cost Comparison: In-House vs DRT Pros
A US dispatcher costs $20-$26/hour before benefits, payroll taxes, overtime, night differentials, turnover and workspace. A dedicated remote dispatch pod runs at about one third of that fully loaded cost, with zero setup fees and month-to-month terms.
What You Stop Paying When You Outsource Dispatch
| Cost Line (24/7 coverage, 15-van fleet) | In-House US Team | DRT Pros Pod |
|---|---|---|
| Dispatcher payroll (4 FTE equivalent) | $19,200+/mo | included |
| Benefits, payroll taxes, insurance | +$4,800/mo | $0 |
| Overtime & night differentials | $1,500-$3,000/mo | $0 (flat rate) |
| Turnover: recruiting + retraining per year | ~$4,000 per dispatcher | $0 |
| Workspace, hardware, phone lines | $600+/mo | $0 |
| Missed after-hours calls → lost trips & broker penalties | recurring | 24/7 answered < 15s |
| Typical monthly total | $26,000+ | ~$9,500-$11,000 |
Illustrative model for planning; final pricing depends on vehicle count, coverage hours, software stack and billing volume. No setup fees, no long-term contracts, no forced software migration. Use the ROI calculator or request a precise quote.
Coverage Models & Pricing Plans
Every plan starts with a signed HIPAA BAA, shadowing of your current operation, and go-live inside your existing software in under 5 days.
Answer Desk Starter
- Night, weekend & holiday call answering on your US number
- Trip booking, will-call capture and message escalation
- Works inside RouteGenie, Dispatch City, TaxiCaller or Simpler
- HIPAA BAA, trained medical call agents, < 15s answer time
- Daily call log summary to your manager
Dedicated Dispatch Pod
- 100% dedicated dispatchers who only work your manifests
- Full 24/7 dispatch, passenger call center and broker portal ops
- Multi-load routing, driver shifts, GPS tracking and exceptions
- Broker portal sync: ModivCare, MTM, Access2Care, Alivi/Veyo, MAS
- Weekly KPI reports: on-time rate, deadhead miles, missed trips
- Named supervisor and custom SOP documentation
Full Operations + Billing
- Everything in the Dedicated Dispatch Pod
- CMS-1500 / EDI 837 claims, broker batch billing and ERA posting
- 99.4% first-pass clean claim target, denial appeals worked weekly
- Prior authorization tracking and eligibility re-verification
- Patient reminder call program included
- AR aging recovery: 30/60/90 queues worked continuously
No Hidden Fees. No Traps.
Pricing & Outsourcing FAQs
How quickly can your dispatch team go live with our fleet?+
Our standard onboarding takes between 3 to 7 business days. We connect to your existing dispatch software (RouteGenie, Dispatch City, TaxiCaller, SwyftOps, Simpler), shadow your team for 2-3 shifts to learn your specific territory and driver capacity rules, and take over live operations seamlessly.
Are your dispatchers dedicated to our company or shared across multiple fleets?+
We offer both dedicated teams and hybrid dedicated pools. For fleets with 10+ vehicles or 24/7 requirements, we assign 100% dedicated dispatchers who only work on your manifest and speak with your drivers, maintaining complete intimacy with your routes and drivers.
Do we need to switch our software to work with you?+
No! We adapt 100% to your existing software stack. Our operators are certified in RouteGenie, Dispatch City, TaxiCaller, SwyftOps, Simpler, Traumasoft, AngelTrack, WellRyde, MAS, and proprietary systems. You simply grant our dispatchers secure remote user logins.
Do you operate as a full 24/7 NEMT call center, or only dispatch?+
Both in one team. Our NEMT call center service covers inbound passenger and broker calls, trip reservations, appointment and reminder calls, will-call returns, driver check-ins, and escalations, with live dispatchers answering under 15 seconds on your US phone number. You get a dedicated medical transportation call center without the overhead of staffing one in-house.
How much does outsourcing NEMT dispatch services cost compared to hiring in-house?+
A dedicated remote dispatch pod typically runs at about one third of the fully loaded cost of an in-house team once you include benefits, payroll taxes, overtime, night differentials, turnover, and workspace. With zero setup fees and month-to-month terms, most fleets break even in the first billing cycle while eliminating missed calls and late trips.
Still comparing? Read the NEMT billing company comparison guide or start with a free fleet operations audit.