Wingz Review: The Healthcare TNC Specializing in Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

One of our biggest tips for rideshare drivers is to diversify the platforms you drive for. The more you are ready to drive, the more you can earn. If one is slow, business might be available for you on another. 

A lesser-known area of rideshare driving is Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, or NEMT. Some platforms have these kinds of rides available as an option, but Wingz specializes in these and needs drivers like you. 

What is NEMT?

NEMT, or Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, is a service that provides transportation for people to get to and from their non-emergency medical appointments. This could be people with limited mobility, a lack of transportation options, or both. NEMT has been around in some variation since the 1960s and became a state-administered service in the mid 70s. 

NEMT services are usually maintained by brokers who coordinate the transportation on behalf of state governments. Funding for NEMT is often through programs like Medicaid and Medicare Advantage. Medicaid covers NEMT as a mandatory benefit, but the eligibility may vary by state. 

Because of the extra care needed for these services, NEMT is not likely to be disrupted by autonomous vehicles like Waymo that are starting to gain traction. Oftentimes, the customer needs additional help (from a human) getting into and out of the vehicle, in addition to door to door service. 

Who is Wingz?

Founded in 2011, Wingz used to focus on airport transportation. But, they have quickly become the leading platform specializing in NEMT rides for vulnerable populations who may have difficulty getting to their appointments, and where public transportation is less than reliable. 

Focusing on their mantra “We Care,” Wingz provides extensive vetting and credentialing to provide high-quality service and care to their customers. Wingz’s mission is to provide care to vulnerable populations while empowering their drivers to earn a living on their terms. 

Drivers who work for Wingz are thoroughly vetted and expected to provide safe and reliable transportation for non-emergency medical patrons. In the future, Wingz hopes to provide further healthcare-related services beyond just transportation. 

Wingz offers three different levels of service: curb-to-curb, door-to-door, and hand-to-hand. 

Curb-to-curb ensures that the driver will pick up at the desired pickup location and drop off at the hospital or medical center. 

Door-to-door expects the driver to go to their customer’s door to help them to the vehicle and then again deliver the passenger to the facility door where they are being dropped off. 

Hand-to-hand service provides a literal hand-off of the customer from one caregiver at the home to their NEMT driver, to another responsible person at their destination. Ensuring full service for the complete safety of the customer.

Wingz currently provides NEMT services in Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Florida. They are seeking partners in other states across the U.S. to provide NEMT including Mississippi, Texas, California, and Oregon. 

In February 2025, Wingz launched a new website at Wingz.com.

How does Wingz’s approach to NEMT differ from Uber/Lyft?

Transparency is the key difference. With Wingz, drivers know they are providing NEMT services and understand what goes into that. On Uber and Lyft, the drivers may get an Uber Health or Lyft Healthcare ride or an UberX or Lyft Standard ride. And for the health options, they might not even be aware it’s an NEMT ride before they arrive at the pickup location. 

Wingz drivers undergo a credentialing process that includes a live screening, criminal background check, drug screening, CTAA Passenger Assistance, Safety & Sensitivity training, among other training and screenings. They are fully aware and capable of completing NEMT trips with a high level of care and safety. 

Drivers for Wingz are given extensive training so they are fully prepared. Uber and Lyft drivers are thrown to the wolves. The rideshare companies only provide curb-to-curb services instead of Wingz's full array of options (curb-to-curb, door-to-door, hand-to-hand). Uber and Lyft drivers are only required to wait for their customers for 5 minutes, so those with limited mobility may be left in the lurch with an Uber/Lyft driver, whereas Wingz drivers know to have patience and care for their customers. 

In addition, Wingz provides 24/7 access to human support instead of just automated responses that don’t always end with a solution. Wingz also sticks to its contracted rates, so there is no surge pricing to drive up costs during “busy” times. 

How Much Do Wingz Drivers Make?

Pay varies by state. Drivers will know the trip's mileage before accepting, and always know what they will earn before incentives. 

Drivers can plan their days easily since rides are booked in advance. You have complete control over your schedule and whether you want to accept a ride or pass. 

Tips are not guaranteed or even encouraged, from the looks of it. It’s a necessary service, not a luxury that your passengers are paying for.

How to Get Started With Wingz

It’s really simple to get started. You simply go to the Wingz website and click on the area you’re interested in driving. As long as your state is listed, they actively look for drivers in that area. 

Drivers must meet the following requirements to drive for Wingz:

• At least 25 years old

• Have a current and active U.S. Driver’s license

• Must have at least 3 years of driving experience with a clean driving record 

• Pass a comprehensive background check

• Some markets require an initial drug test, and they may conduct random screenings

• Must have a 2010 or newer vehicle that is reliable, well-maintained and clean

• Your vehicle must meet local NEMT standards, which vary by region

• Valid personal auto insurance and vehicle registration (some markets may require commercial insurance coverage)

• Use the Wingz driver app for trip management, navigation, and updates

• Provide punctual and reliable service to the customers

If you meet all the criteria above, you can start your driver application for your area. As part of the application process, you must provide your name, email address, and phone number. You’ll also be asked for information about your vehicle to ensure it meets the minimum requirements. 

The application asks about your general availability, alerting drivers that most trips are requested in the mornings and afternoons, Monday through Friday. 

After the initial application, you’ll immediately be taken to a list of information you will need to read through and provide additional information as needed such as agreeing to the Terms and Conditions, an NEMT info session webinar, providing vehicle insurance and registration information, have a welcome call, a HIPAA training and quiz and more. 

With the extra training involved in NEMT services, the application and approval process will likely take longer than you can expect from other platforms such as Uber or Lyft. 

Driving for Wingz

Pros

Drivers can feel good about the work they are doing. They are providing a service to those most in need. All while earning a flexible living. Rides are scheduled in advance, giving drivers a schedule they can set and follow.

Drivers can build a recurring business by servicing the same customers based on “Standing Orders”, allowing riders to have the exact driver for their recurring medical appointments. This provides an added level of stability and predictability so a driver can better plan their days and weeks. 

There are no surprises with driver pay on Wingz. Drivers will know precisely how much they will make before accepting the trips in the driver app. What you see is what you get. 

Wingz provides their drivers with 24/7 support with an actual human, giving drivers peace of mind while they are on the road. 

And, of course, NEMT is much less likely to be disrupted by the ever-growing field of autonomous vehicles and services that go along with them. NEMT services need that human touch to be entirely successful, so drivers will have that added level of security in the future. 

Cons

Since drivers will serve vulnerable communities, including low-income, elderly, and disabled, they will have to be more hands-on than they may be used to with the “standard” rideshare services (if they have been Uber or Lyft drivers). Drivers may be expected to pick up and drop off from door to door, giving a full-service experience to some of their customers.

Because of the nature of the work and the extensive credentialing and training involved, drivers have to realize they won’t be on the road and working within a day or two after signing up. It is a lengthy onboarding process to ensure they have all the tools they need to do the job and do it well. 

Tips are not encouraged on Wingz. Since it’s a service often provided through Medicaid and other service providers, there is no expectation of tipping involved. 

Same-day trip cancellations are also a possibility. Since the member is not paying for the trip, they may cancel it with minimal notice. This is more typical of a non-standing order trip. By being selective about which trips you accept, you can help yourself with consistency if you book with repeat customers. Standing Orders are the best method to make this work in your favor.

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