When I first got into the medical courier industry, I was completely lost.
I didn’t know I needed HIPAA or Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training to deliver specimens. No one told me. My first client never asked, and I didn’t even know to bring it up. I was transporting medical items, completely unaware of the risks and regulations.
That was a long time ago, and I’ve learned a lot since then.
If you’re trying to figure out how to be a medical courier or you’re exploring how to start a medical delivery business, let me share a few hard-earned lessons with you. These are the things no one told me when I was starting out, and I don’t want you making the same mistakes I did.
1. It’s Not Just Pick Up and Drop Off
A lot of people assume courier work is simple: pick up here, drop off there, get paid.
But when you’re delivering medical specimens, lab work, or pharmaceuticals, it’s a whole different level of responsibility.
You’re dealing with:
- Strict delivery windows
- Chain of custody procedures
- HIPAA compliance
- Patient privacy
- Medical-grade handling requirements
This isn’t like Amazon Flex or DoorDash. You’re handling confidential, regulated materials that require professionalism and precision.
2. I Lost a Client Because I Overcharged (and Didn’t Even Know It)
When I started, I thought I had to make the most of every delivery. I didn’t know what to charge. So I charged high, too high, actually.
The work was time-sensitive and important, so I assumed premium rates were justified. But what I didn’t understand at the time was how to structure pricing based on mileage, time, urgency, and what the market could bear.
Eventually, that client stopped calling. No explanation. I was doing the work, showing up, but they quietly moved on. Only later did I realize: I had priced myself OUT of the relationship.
That’s when I learned that being professional means being competitive, and that pricing is a strategy, not a guess.
3. You Need More Than a Car and a Hustle
A lot of new couriers get excited and think, “I’ve got a car—I’m ready to work.”
But if you really want to build a medical courier business, not just hustle gig-to-gig, you need the right foundation:
- Legal business structure (LLC, EIN, business bank account)
- Industry-specific liability and cargo insurance
- HIPAA and BBP certifications
- Basic knowledge of medical handling protocols
- A way to track your routes, invoices, and contracts professionally
These are the things I now teach in my programs, because nobody gave me a checklist when I started. I had to figure it out while working, which cost me time, opportunities, and clients.
4. Most Couriers Rely on Middlemen—And Lose Out on Real Money
Load boards, brokers, and third-party apps will keep you busy… but broke.
They take a big cut and leave you doing all the work. If you want to grow a profitable medical courier company, you need to learn how to go direct.
That means building relationships with:
- Labs and testing centers
- Pharmacies
- Clinics and hospitals
- Private medical offices
- Long-term care facilities
When I stopped waiting on load boards and started pitching directly to decision-makers, my business transformed. I got consistent contracts, better rates, and clients who saw me as a partner, not just a driver.
5. This Is a Legit Logistics Business—Treat It Like One
If you’re serious about learning how to be a medical courier, I want you to understand this isn’t just a side gig, it’s a lane.
A recession-proof, high-demand, scalable business opportunity.
But only if you treat it like one.
That means showing up like a business owner, not a driver. That mindset shift alone can change everything about how you price, market, and grow.
You Can Do This—But You Need the Right Start
I’ve made the mistakes.
I’ve overcharged. I’ve operated without training. I’ve guessed when I should’ve learned. And I’ve helped hundreds of aspiring couriers start smarter than I did.
That’s why I created my live 3-day workshop: Direct Route: Start & Grow Your
Medical Courier Business.
You’ll learn:
- The exact steps to launch professionally and legally
- What insurance, licenses, and certifications you actually need
- How to price your services so you stay profitable
- How to find clients and pitch with confidence (no middleman required)
I only offer this workshop a few times a year, and it fills up quickly every time.
Don’t wait. If you’re serious about building your courier business the right way—get started today.
👉🏽Register here: Click Here
You don’t have to figure this out on your own like I did. Let me show you how to do it right—from day one.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own like I did. Let me show you how to do it right from day one.
With gratitude,
Roslyn Ellerbee
Business Coach + Courier Strategist
Founder, Express Errands & Courier
Creator of The Courier Pro™
