Illinois Medicaid Transportation Benefits: What's Covered and How to Apply

Illinois Medicaid pays for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) to and from covered healthcare services. The benefit includes ambulatory sedans, wheelchair-accessible vans, and stretcher ambulettes for patients who have no other means of getting to their appointments. This guide covers every detail — what is included, what is excluded, how to apply, and how to get the most out of the benefit.

What Illinois Medicaid Transportation Covers

The NEMT benefit applies to trips that meet two conditions: (1) you have active Medicaid coverage, and (2) the trip is to a Medicaid-covered medical service. Covered trip types include:

Covered Appointment Types

• Primary care visits: Routine checkups, sick visits, annual physicals
• Specialist appointments: Cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, and all medical specialties
• Dialysis sessions: Typically 3 times per week — the single highest-volume use of Medicaid NEMT. Learn about our dialysis transportation service.
• Chemotherapy and radiation: Cancer treatment sessions on weekly or biweekly schedules
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation: Post-surgery rehab, occupational therapy, speech therapy
• Behavioral and mental health: Counseling, psychiatric appointments, substance abuse treatment. See our mental health appointment transportation page.
• Lab work and imaging: Blood draws, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans
• Dental appointments: Covered under Medicaid dental benefits
• Vision care: Eye exams and optometry visits
• Pharmacy trips: Picking up prescriptions (if the pharmacy does not deliver)
• Hospital discharge: Transport home after an inpatient stay or outpatient procedure. See hospital discharge transportation.
• Prenatal and postpartum care: OB/GYN visits throughout pregnancy and after delivery

Covered Vehicle Types

Medicaid covers all three vehicle types at zero cost to the patient. The private pay rates above apply only to trips outside the Medicaid benefit. For full pricing details, see our rate schedule.

Additional Covered Services

• Attendant or aide: One companion can ride at no cost if the patient requires supervision (cognitive impairment, post-sedation). Every passenger under 18 must ride with a parent or legal guardian.
• Oxygen transport: Portable oxygen equipment is transported with the patient
• Wait time: The driver waits during the appointment and returns you home (for round trips)
• Multi-stop trips: If you have multiple appointments on the same day at different locations, the broker can authorize a multi-stop trip

What Medicaid Transportation Does NOT Cover

The benefit has clear exclusions. Understanding these prevents denied requests:

• Non-medical trips: Grocery shopping, social visits, religious services, and personal errands are not covered
• Trips when other transportation is available: If you own a working vehicle, have a family member who can drive you, or have access to public transit that accommodates your needs, the broker may deny the ride
• Emergency transport (911): NEMT covers non-emergency trips only. Ambulance transport for emergencies is billed separately under Medicaid
• Out-of-state trips: Medicaid NEMT generally covers in-state travel only, unless the out-of-state provider is the nearest available for a specific service
• Expired coverage: If your Medicaid enrollment has lapsed, rides will be denied until you re-enroll

Illinois MCOs and Their Transportation Brokers

Illinois operates Medicaid through managed care organizations (MCOs). Each MCO contracts with a transportation broker to handle ride scheduling and provider dispatch. Here are the current MCOs and their brokers:

Check your Medicaid card or call 1-877-912-8880 to confirm which MCO you are assigned to.

How to Apply for Medicaid Transportation Benefits

You do not apply for the transportation benefit separately. If you have active Illinois Medicaid, the NEMT benefit is already included. Here is how to activate it:

Step 1: Verify Active Coverage

Log into the ABE portal (abe.illinois.gov) or call 1-800-226-0768 to confirm your Medicaid status. Your coverage must be active on the date of the trip.

Step 2: Determine Your Transportation Need

Decide whether you need ambulatory, wheelchair, or stretcher transport. If you are unsure, your doctor's office can provide a mobility assessment or letter stating your transport needs.

Step 3: Contact Your Broker or Provider

Call your MCO's broker (see table above) at least 3 business days before your appointment. Alternatively, apply for recurring Medicaid rides through Dream Care Rides — headquartered at 20000 Governors Dr Suite 103H, Olympia Fields, IL 60461 — and, for trips starting within 6.5 miles of our Olympia Fields or Palatine bases, we handle broker coordination for you. Visit our Medicaid rides page for a full overview of how the program works.

Step 4: Provide Required Information

The broker needs your Medicaid RIN, appointment details (date, time, provider name, address), vehicle type, and any special requirements. For recurring appointments, request a standing order so you do not need to call before every trip.

If You Do Not Have Medicaid: Private Pay Options

Not everyone qualifies for Medicaid. If you need medical transportation but are not Medicaid-eligible, Dream Care Rides offers transparent private pay pricing:

• Ambulatory: $50–$60 base fare + $3.00 per mile after the first 3 miles
• Wheelchair: $60–$70 base fare + $3.50 per mile after the first 3 miles
• Stretcher: $350–$400 base fare + $6.00 per mile after the first 5 miles

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.

Book a private pay ride online or call (708) 505-6994 for a quote. For more information, visit our private pay page.

How to Appeal a Denied Transportation Request

If your broker denies a ride request, you have the right to appeal. Common denial reasons and fixes:

1. Coverage lapse: Re-enroll through HFS and request the ride once coverage is active
2. Non-covered appointment type: Ask your doctor to provide documentation that the appointment is medically necessary and Medicaid-covered
3. Alternative transportation available: If the broker claims you have other options, explain in writing why those options do not work (wheelchair inaccessible, too far for public transit, no family available)
4. Insufficient notice: For urgent appointments, provide documentation from your doctor showing the appointment cannot wait

File your appeal through your MCO's member services line. If the MCO denies the appeal, you can escalate to the Illinois HFS Office of Inspector General.

Tips to Get the Most from Your Medicaid Transportation Benefit

• Set up standing orders early. For recurring appointments (dialysis, chemo, PT), establish a standing order with the broker so rides are automatically scheduled. Request standing orders through Dream Care Rides.
• Request a specific provider. If you have had good experiences with Dream Care Rides or another provider, ask the broker to assign that provider consistently.
• Book round trips. Always request a round trip so the return ride is confirmed before you leave home.
• Confirm 24 hours ahead. Call your provider or broker the day before your ride to confirm pickup time and vehicle type.
• Keep your phone charged and accessible. Drivers will call when they arrive. If they cannot reach you, they may leave after the contractual wait time.
• Document problems. If a ride is late, the wrong vehicle arrives, or the driver is a no-show, document it and report to your MCO. Repeated problems may allow you to switch providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a doctor's note to get Medicaid transportation?

No. For standard appointments (doctor visits, dialysis, therapy), your Medicaid eligibility and confirmed appointment are sufficient. A doctor's letter is only needed if the broker questions whether you require wheelchair or stretcher transport versus ambulatory service.

How many trips per month does Medicaid cover?

Illinois Medicaid does not impose a hard monthly trip limit. All medically necessary trips to covered services are authorized. Dialysis patients routinely receive 12 to 13 rides per month (3 sessions per week). The broker approves each trip based on medical necessity.

Can I get Medicaid transportation to an out-of-state hospital?

Only if the out-of-state facility is the closest available provider for the specific service you need. The broker requires documentation from your referring physician explaining why in-state facilities cannot provide the treatment.

What if I qualify for Medicaid but have not enrolled in an MCO yet?

Fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid members who are not yet assigned to an MCO can request transportation through the state broker. Call 1-877-725-0569 or contact your local DHS office for FFS transportation assistance.

Can I use Medicaid transportation for pharmacy trips?

Yes, if the pharmacy does not offer delivery and you cannot get there by other means. Some brokers limit pharmacy trips to one per month. Check with your specific broker.

Does Medicaid cover transportation for my child's appointments?

Yes. Children with Medicaid (including All Kids) qualify for NEMT. A parent or guardian can ride along as the required attendant at no cost. The attendant does not need their own Medicaid coverage.

What should I do if the Medicaid driver is consistently late?

Report the issue to your MCO's member services line. Request assignment to a different provider. You can also contact Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 to ask whether we can be your assigned provider (Medicaid accepted in select service areas) — we maintain a 99% on-time rate in the Chicago metro area.

How does Dream Care Rides handle Medicaid billing?

Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability. For eligible trips, we bill the transportation broker directly and you pay nothing. We handle all paperwork, trip documentation, and billing reconciliation. Your only responsibility is to be ready at the scheduled pickup time.