Medicaid Transportation Phone Numbers in Illinois: Complete Directory

Need the phone number for Medicaid transportation in Illinois? The number you call depends on which Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) you belong to. Each MCO contracts with a different transportation broker, and that broker is who schedules your free ride. This directory lists every Illinois Medicaid MCO, their transportation broker, and how to reach them. Dream Care Rides accepts Medicaid only for trips starting within 6.5 miles of our Olympia Fields or Palatine bases — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability.

If your trip is one of our Medicaid-eligible trips starting within 6.5 miles of our Olympia Fields or Palatine bases and you do not want to figure out which broker to call, skip straight to calling Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994. We identify your MCO, contact the broker, get your trip authorized, and schedule your ride — all in one call.

Master Phone Number Directory: Illinois Medicaid Transportation

The table below lists every Illinois Medicaid MCO, their current transportation broker, and how to find the right phone number to schedule your free NEMT ride.

Important: Broker phone numbers change when MCOs switch contractors. The most reliable way to find the current number is to look on the back of your Medicaid card. If the number printed on your card is no longer working, call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 and we will connect you with the correct broker.

How to Find Which MCO You Belong To

Your MCO determines which phone number you call for transportation. Here is how to identify your MCO if you are unsure:

Check Your Medicaid Card

Your Illinois Medicaid card displays your MCO name on the front. Look for logos or text that says Meridian, Molina, CountyCare, Blue Cross Community, Aetna Better Health, or IlliniCare. If the card shows only “State of Illinois — Medical Card” without a company name, you are in the Fee-for-Service (FFS) program.

Call the Illinois HFS Helpline

If you cannot find your card or the MCO name is unclear, call the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) beneficiary helpline. Provide your Medicaid ID number and they will tell you which MCO you are enrolled in. The HFS helpline number is printed on your Medicaid card and is also available at the HFS website.

Check Your Welcome Packet

When you enrolled in Medicaid managed care, your MCO sent a welcome packet that includes your member handbook, ID card, and a directory of benefits including the transportation phone number. If you still have this packet, the transportation number is inside.

Ask Dream Care Rides

For a trip starting within 6.5 miles of our Olympia Fields or Palatine bases, call (708) 505-6994 with your Medicaid ID number and we tell you which broker handles your transportation benefit. No hold times, no automated menus, no transfers — a real person answers and helps you immediately.

What to Say When You Call for a Medicaid Ride

Whether you are calling a broker directly or calling Dream Care Rides, having a script ready saves time and prevents scheduling errors. Here is exactly what to say:

“Hi, I need to schedule a Medicaid transportation ride. My name is [your name]. My Medicaid ID number is [number]. I have an appointment on [date] at [time] with [doctor or facility name] at [address]. I need to be picked up at [your address]. I need a [ambulatory/wheelchair/stretcher] vehicle. I also need a return trip — my appointment should end around [estimated end time]. Can I request Dream Care Rides as my provider?”

This script gives the broker every piece of information they need in one call. Write it out before calling so you do not forget anything.

Common Issues When Calling for Medicaid Transportation

Patients frequently encounter problems when trying to schedule Medicaid rides by phone. Here are the most common issues and how to handle them:

Issue: Long Hold Times

Transportation brokers can have hold times of 20 to 45 minutes, especially on Monday mornings and the first week of the month when many patients are scheduling rides.

Solution: Call during off-peak hours — Tuesday through Thursday, mid-morning or early afternoon. Better yet, call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 where a dispatcher answers promptly and handles the broker call for you.

Issue: Denied Trips

The broker says your trip is not authorized or the appointment is not covered.

Solution: Ask for the specific reason for denial. Common reasons include: the appointment is not with a Medicaid-enrolled provider, insufficient advance notice (less than 48 hours), or the destination is outside the service area. If you believe the denial is wrong, request a supervisor review. You have the right to appeal any NEMT denial through your MCO's grievance process. Call (708) 505-6994 if you need help navigating a denial.

Issue: Wrong Broker Called

You called a number that does not handle your MCO's transportation, or the broker says you are not in their system.

Solution: Confirm your MCO by looking at your card or calling HFS. Each MCO has a different broker — calling the wrong one wastes time. This is why many patients prefer calling Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 first. We identify your MCO instantly and contact the correct broker.

Issue: Phone Number No Longer in Service

MCOs occasionally change transportation brokers, which means the phone number on older cards may be disconnected.

Solution: Call your MCO's general member services number (also on your card) and ask for the current transportation phone number. Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability.

Why Calling Dream Care Rides Directly Is Easier

The Illinois Medicaid transportation system involves multiple parties: your MCO, a transportation broker, and an NEMT provider. Navigating this chain by phone can be frustrating. Calling Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 simplifies the process for trips starting within 6.5 miles of our Olympia Fields or Palatine bases because we handle every step:

• One phone call — you call us once and we handle the broker coordination, authorization, and scheduling
• We verify your eligibility — give us your Medicaid ID and we confirm your MCO, broker, and transportation benefit in real time
• No hold times — brokers can keep you on hold for 20 to 45 minutes; our dispatchers answer promptly
• We know the system — we work with MTM and Modivcare on trips in our Medicaid service area and know exactly what information they need
• Standing orders for recurring rides — dialysis, chemotherapy, and therapy patients get automatic scheduling without calling before each trip
• Consistent service — when you call us, you get our drivers, our vehicles, and our standards of care rather than a random provider assigned by the broker

Think of it this way: calling the broker directly is like calling a taxi dispatch company and hoping they send someone good. Calling Dream Care Rides is like calling the driver you trust directly and having them handle the paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Medicaid transportation phone number in Illinois?

The Medicaid transportation phone number depends on your managed care organization (MCO). Each MCO uses a different transportation broker with a different number. The easiest approach is to call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 — Medicaid accepted in select service areas, and we can tell you in one call whether your trip qualifies.

Can I call one number for all Medicaid transportation in Illinois?

There is no single statewide number that works for all MCOs. However, for trips starting within 6.5 miles of our Olympia Fields or Palatine bases, calling Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 gives you one number that works regardless of which MCO you belong to. We identify your MCO, contact the appropriate broker, and get your ride authorized.

What if the phone number on my Medicaid card does not work?

MCOs sometimes change transportation brokers, which can make older card numbers obsolete. Call your MCO's general member services number (also on your card) and ask for the updated transportation number.

How far in advance do I need to call for a Medicaid ride?

Most transportation brokers require 48 to 72 hours advance notice for non-urgent trips. Urgent or same-day requests may be accommodated but are not guaranteed. For recurring appointments, set up a standing order so you do not need to call before each trip. Call (708) 505-6994 to set up standing orders.

What hours can I call for Medicaid transportation?

Most transportation brokers operate Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 6 PM or 8 AM to 5 PM Central Time. Dream Care Rides answers calls Monday through Saturday, 6 AM to 8 PM Central Time at (708) 505-6994. For after-hours scheduling, use our online booking form.

Do I have to use the NEMT provider the broker assigns?

You can request a specific provider. When calling the broker, say: “I would like Dream Care Rides as my transportation provider.” While brokers make the final assignment based on availability and network status, patient preference is a factor. Many patients who request us by name receive Dream Care Rides as their assigned provider.

Service Areas

Dream Care Rides provides transportation throughout Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Kendall counties in Illinois; Medicaid is accepted only for trips starting within 6.5 miles of our Olympia Fields or Palatine bases. We serve all hospitals, dialysis centers, cancer treatment facilities, therapy clinics, mental health providers, and physician offices within our coverage area.

For a complete list of cities, visit our coverage area page. For pricing information (relevant for private pay patients), visit our rates page.

Call Dream Care Rides Now

Stop searching for phone numbers. Stop waiting on hold with brokers. Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability. For trips starting within 6.5 miles of our Olympia Fields or Palatine bases, one call to Dream Care Rides handles everything — we verify your Medicaid eligibility, contact the right broker, get your trip authorized, and schedule your ride.

Book online: dreamcarerides.com/booking

Call us: (708) 505-6994

Dream Care Rides — Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability.