10 Illinois Medicaid Transportation Providers: Top Choices for NEMT Services

Illinois Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) through two pathways: fee-for-service (FFS) members work with enrolled providers directly, while managed care (MCO) members access rides through transportation brokers like MTM and ModivCare. Below are the top providers and brokers serving Illinois Medicaid patients in 2026, verified for accuracy and current operations.

How Illinois Medicaid NEMT Works

Before selecting a provider, you need to know which Medicaid pathway applies to you. The process and the company you contact differ depending on your plan type.

• Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicaid: You contact an enrolled NEMT provider directly to schedule rides. The provider bills HFS (Healthcare and Family Services). Transdev/NETSPAP handles prior authorization for FFS trips only — they do not schedule rides or dispatch vehicles.
• Managed Care (MCO) Medicaid: Your MCO contracts with a transportation broker (MTM or ModivCare) who schedules your rides with local enrolled providers. Call the number on the back of your MCO card to request transportation.

Not sure which type you have? Check your Medicaid card. If it shows an MCO name (Meridian, Molina, Aetna Better Health, Blue Cross Community, YouthCare, WellCare), you're in managed care. If it says "State of Illinois" with no MCO name, you're fee-for-service.

Top NEMT Providers in Illinois

These six companies operate their own vehicles and employ their own drivers. They transport Medicaid patients directly.

1. Dream Care Rides — Chicago's Premier NEMT Provider

• HQ: 20000 Governors Dr Suite 103H, Olympia Fields, IL 60461
• Phone: (708) 505-6994
• Services: Ambulatory/sedan ($50–$60 base), wheelchair ADA van ($60–$70 base), stretcher/ambulette ($350–$400 base), Broda Traversa recline wheelchair (alternative to stretcher for patients who can't sit upright)
• Per-mile rates: Ambulatory $3.00/mi after 3 mi, wheelchair $3.50/mi after 3 mi, stretcher $6.00/mi after 5 mi
• Coverage: 36 cities across Illinois and Northwest Indiana
• Google Rating: 5.0 stars (45+ reviews)
• Specialties: Dialysis standing orders (156 trips/year), hospital discharge, long-distance transport (7 Midwest corridors), bariatric patients up to 450 lbs
• Accepts: Medicare, private pay; Medicaid (FFS and MCO) in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability
• NPI: 1033989991
• Surcharges: Weekends +$50 per leg, holidays a fee shown before you book, wait time $15 per 15 minutes after the first 15 free, oxygen $25, stairchair $40

What sets Dream Care Rides apart: Published pricing on every service page (most competitors hide rates), Broda Traversa transport (rare in Chicagoland), bariatric capacity to 450 lbs, and standing-order dialysis scheduling that guarantees the same driver and time slot for every session. View the full rate card or book online.

2. BriteLift

• HQ: Rosemont, IL
• Phone: (847) 792-1212
• Focus: Wheelchair-accessible transport
• Coverage: Chicago metro and southeastern Wisconsin
• Strength: Strong relationships with nursing homes and corporate accounts
• Limitation: No stretcher service, no ambulatory sedan service, concentrated in north/northwest suburbs

3. Superior Ambulance Service

• HQ: Elmhurst, IL
• Fleet: 130+ ambulances
• Focus: Emergency (BLS/ALS) and non-emergency ambulance transport
• Coverage: Greater Chicagoland
• Strength: Largest private ambulance fleet in the region, strong online authority (DR 41)
• Limitation: Emergency-focused brand; non-emergency is secondary to their 911 contracts. No dedicated NEMT city-level pages or published NEMT pricing.

4. Greater Chicago Transit

• HQ: Des Plaines, IL
• Focus: Dialysis transport, hospital discharge, special needs
• Coverage: Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties
• Strength: Long-standing dialysis center relationships in northwest suburbs
• Limitation: Northwest suburb focus with limited south side and no Indiana coverage

5. Extended Care Transport

• HQ: Chicago, IL
• Coverage: Chicago and Northwest Indiana
• Services: Senior transport, bariatric, wheelchair, special events
• Strength: Chicago-to-Indiana corridor coverage
• Limitation: No stretcher service listed on their site; limited online presence

6. Excel Transportation

• HQ: Westmont, IL
• Coverage: DuPage, Will, Cook, Kane, and Kendall Counties
• Strength: Active content marketing with blog and resource pages
• Limitation: Strongest in DuPage County; weaker coverage on the south side and no Indiana service

Illinois Medicaid NEMT Brokers

These organizations coordinate rides but do not operate vehicles. They contract with local providers to fulfill trips. If your Medicaid is through a managed care plan, one of these brokers handles your transportation benefit.

7. MTM, Inc.

• Type: National NEMT broker
• Scale: 25+ million trips per year nationwide
• Illinois MCOs served: Meridian Health Plan, Molina Healthcare
• How to book: Call the number on the back of your MCO card
• Note: MTM dispatches local providers like Dream Care Rides. They do not operate their own vehicles in Illinois.

8. ModivCare (formerly LogistiCare)

• Type: National NEMT broker
• Illinois MCOs served: Aetna Better Health, Blue Cross Community Health Plan, WellCare
• History: Rebranded from LogistiCare in 2021; parent company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2025
• How to book: Call the number on your MCO card or use the ModivCare member portal
• Note: ModivCare contracts with local providers to fulfill rides. If you request a ride through ModivCare in the south suburbs, Dream Care Rides may be the provider dispatched.

9. Transdev / First Transit (NETSPAP)

• Type: Prior authorization administrator for FFS Medicaid
• Role: Manages the NETSPAP (Non-Emergency Transportation Service Prior Approval Program) for Illinois HFS
• Provider line: (866) 503-9040
• Important clarification: Transdev/NETSPAP does NOT schedule rides, dispatch vehicles, or pay providers. They only approve prior authorization requests. After approval, you contact your NEMT provider directly.

10. Pace Paratransit (ADA Complementary Service)

• Type: Public transit paratransit
• Eligibility: ADA-certified riders in the Pace six-county service area
• Cost: $3.50 per trip (as of 2026)
• Booking: Requires 24+ hours advance notice
• Pickup windows: 30-minute windows (not exact times)
• Rides: Shared (not private, may include multiple stops)
• Limitation: Not available for same-day or urgent medical needs, no stretcher service, limited hours

Provider Comparison Table

Key takeaway: Dream Care Rides is the only provider on this list that offers all three service types (ambulatory, wheelchair, stretcher) and publishes transparent pricing. Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability.

How to Book Medicaid NEMT in Illinois

The booking process depends on your Medicaid type. Follow the steps for your plan:

Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicaid

1. Get prior authorization: Your doctor's office or facility submits a prior authorization request to Transdev/NETSPAP at (866) 503-9040. Routine trips need 3+ business days notice; urgent trips can be expedited.
2. Choose your provider: Once authorized, contact an enrolled NEMT provider directly. Call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 or book online.
3. Confirm your ride details: Provide your Medicaid RIN (Recipient ID Number), pickup address, appointment time, facility address, and mobility needs (ambulatory, wheelchair, or stretcher).
4. Your provider bills HFS: You pay nothing out of pocket. The provider submits the claim to Illinois HFS.

Managed Care (MCO) Medicaid

1. Call your MCO's transportation line: The number is on the back of your MCO card. Your MCO's broker (MTM or ModivCare) handles scheduling.
2. Request your ride: Provide your member ID, pickup/drop-off addresses, appointment time, and mobility needs. Book at least 48 hours in advance for routine trips.
3. A local provider is dispatched: The broker assigns your trip to an enrolled provider in its network. You'll receive confirmation with the provider name and vehicle details.
4. No cost to you: The broker pays the provider. You have zero out-of-pocket cost for Medicaid-covered NEMT.

Need help navigating the process? Call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 and our team will verify your eligibility and walk you through booking for either pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Medicaid NEMT cost in Illinois?

Medicaid NEMT costs you nothing out of pocket. Medicaid covers the full cost for eligible members. Providers bill Medicaid directly. If you need private-pay NEMT (non-Medicaid), Dream Care Rides rates start at $50–$60 for ambulatory, $60–$70 for wheelchair, and $350–$400 for stretcher transport. Call (708) 505-6994 for a quote.

What's the difference between an NEMT provider and a broker?

A provider operates vehicles and employs drivers who transport you directly. A broker coordinates logistics and assigns your trip to a provider but does not own vehicles. MTM and ModivCare are brokers; Dream Care Rides, BriteLift, and Superior Ambulance are providers.

Can I choose my own NEMT provider with Medicaid?

With FFS Medicaid, yes — you can contact any enrolled provider directly after getting prior authorization. With MCO Medicaid, your broker assigns the provider, but you can request a specific provider if they're in the broker's network. Ask your broker to assign Dream Care Rides by name. Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability.

How far in advance do I need to book Medicaid NEMT?

FFS Medicaid requires prior authorization 3+ business days ahead for routine trips. MCO brokers recommend 48+ hours notice. Dream Care Rides can often accommodate shorter notice for urgent needs — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability.

Does Medicaid cover stretcher transportation?

Yes. Illinois Medicaid covers stretcher/ambulette transport when medically necessary. Your doctor must document that you cannot sit upright for the duration of the trip. Dream Care Rides stretcher rates are $350–$400 base plus $6.00 per mile after the first 5 miles. Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability. Learn more on our stretcher transport page.

What is the NETSPAP program?

NETSPAP (Non-Emergency Transportation Service Prior Approval Program) is Illinois' prior authorization system for FFS Medicaid NEMT. Managed by Transdev/First Transit, it reviews and approves trip requests before a provider can bill HFS. NETSPAP does not schedule rides or dispatch vehicles — it only handles authorization.

Can I get same-day Medicaid NEMT?

Same-day Medicaid trips are difficult through brokers (MTM/ModivCare typically require 48+ hours). For FFS Medicaid, urgent prior authorization is available for hospital discharges and emergency follow-ups. Dream Care Rides handles same-day requests when possible — call (708) 505-6994.

What areas does Dream Care Rides cover?

Dream Care Rides serves 36 cities across Illinois and Northwest Indiana, including Chicago, the south suburbs (Olympia Fields, Homewood, Flossmoor, Matteson, Country Club Hills), west suburbs, and NW Indiana (Hammond, Gary, Merrillville, Crown Point). View the full coverage area map or call (708) 505-6994 to confirm service to your location.