What Is NEMT? Complete Guide to Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

NEMT stands for non-emergency medical transportation. It is a professional transport service that takes patients to and from medical appointments, treatments, and procedures when the trip does not require a 911 ambulance. NEMT vehicles include sedans, wheelchair-accessible vans, and stretcher ambulettes, each staffed by trained drivers who assist patients from pickup to destination. In the United States, an estimated 3.6 million people miss or delay medical appointments each year because they lack transportation, according to the American Hospital Association. NEMT exists to close that gap.

NEMT vs. Regular Transportation: What Makes It Different

NEMT is not a taxi, not an Uber, and not an ambulance. It occupies a specific category of healthcare transportation with features that distinguish it from every other option:

• Medical-grade vehicles. NEMT vans and ambulettes are equipped with wheelchair ramps, hydraulic lifts, stretcher mounts, floor-mounted securements, and climate control. A taxi or rideshare has none of this equipment.
• Trained drivers. NEMT drivers are certified in CPR, first aid, passenger assistance techniques, and defensive driving. They know how to safely transfer a wheelchair user from a hospital room to a vehicle. Rideshare drivers have no such training.
• Door-to-door and hand-to-hand service. NEMT drivers walk patients from their front door to the vehicle and from the vehicle to the medical facility entrance. Some service levels include hand-to-hand assistance all the way to the check-in desk. Taxis drop you at the curb.
• Insurance accepted. NEMT providers are enrolled with Medicaid, and some accept Medicare Advantage plans. Rideshare and taxi services are not covered by any health insurance.
• ADA compliance. NEMT vehicles meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. Rideshare companies are not required to have wheelchair-accessible vehicles available on demand.

The Three Types of NEMT Vehicles

Every NEMT trip requires matching the patient's mobility level to the right vehicle type. The three categories are:

1. Ambulatory (Sedan or SUV)

For patients who can walk, sit upright, and transfer into a standard vehicle seat with minimal assistance. The driver provides a steady arm, helps with seatbelts, and may carry personal belongings. This is the most common and least expensive NEMT service type.

• Best for: Doctor visits, lab work, physical therapy, dental appointments, pharmacy trips
• Illinois pricing: Base rate $50–$60, plus $3.00 per mile after the first 3 miles
• Service levels: Curb-to-curb, door-to-door, hand-to-hand

2. Wheelchair (ADA Van)

For patients who use a manual or power wheelchair and cannot safely transfer to a sedan seat. The van has a hydraulic lift or ramp, floor-mounted wheelchair securements, and tie-down straps. The driver secures the wheelchair inside the vehicle so the patient rides safely in their own chair.

• Best for: Dialysis, chemotherapy, hospital discharges, specialist visits, any recurring appointment where the patient uses a wheelchair
• Illinois pricing: Base rate $60–$70, plus $3.50 per mile after the first 3 miles
• Service levels: Curb-to-curb, door-to-door, door-through-door

3. Stretcher (Ambulette)

For patients who must remain lying down during transport. The ambulette has a hospital-style stretcher, an attendant in addition to the driver, and medical equipment mounts for oxygen and monitors. This is the highest level of NEMT service, one step below a basic life support (BLS) ambulance.

• Best for: Hospital discharges (patients who cannot sit up), transfers between facilities, post-surgical patients, bariatric patients, patients on supplemental oxygen
• Illinois pricing: Base rate $350–$400, plus $6.00 per mile after the first 5 miles
• Service levels: Room-to-room, door-through-door, bed-to-bed

Not sure which vehicle type your situation requires? Call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 and describe the patient's mobility. We will recommend the right vehicle.

Who Qualifies for NEMT?

Anyone who needs transportation to a medical appointment and cannot safely drive themselves qualifies for NEMT services. There is no medical diagnosis requirement. Common situations include:

• Seniors who no longer drive. Age-related vision loss, medication side effects, or cognitive decline makes driving unsafe.
• Wheelchair users. Standard vehicles cannot accommodate wheelchairs without specialized equipment.
• Post-surgical patients. After anesthesia, joint replacement, or other procedures, patients cannot drive for days or weeks.
• Dialysis patients. Three trips per week, every week, often while fatigued from treatment.
• Cancer patients. Chemotherapy and radiation cause fatigue, nausea, and cognitive fog that make driving dangerous.
• Patients with disabilities. Physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities that prevent independent driving.
• Anyone without a car. No vehicle, no family member available, no public transit route to the medical facility.

For Medicaid-covered NEMT specifically, the patient must be enrolled in an Illinois Medicaid managed care plan. The MCO's transportation broker authorizes trips based on medical necessity. See our detailed guide on Medicaid transportation coverage in Illinois.

How Much Does NEMT Cost?

NEMT pricing in Illinois depends on the vehicle type, distance, and any surcharges. Here is the full rate structure:

Surcharges:

• Weekend trips: +$50 per leg
• Holiday trips: fee shown before you book
• Wait time: $15 per 15 minutes after the first 15 free (after the included wait period)
• Supplemental oxygen: $25 per trip
• Stairchair assistance: $40 per trip

For a typical 10-mile ambulatory trip in the Chicago area, expect to pay $71 to $81. A 10-mile wheelchair trip runs $84.50 to $94.50. A 10-mile stretcher trip costs $380 to $430. For an exact quote, call (708) 505-6994 or use our NEMT cost calculator.

How NEMT Differs from an Ambulance

This is one of the most common questions patients and families ask. The differences are significant:

The key rule: if the patient needs medical treatment during transport, they need an ambulance. If the patient needs safe transportation to get to their medical treatment, they need NEMT. Using an ambulance for a routine doctor visit wastes thousands of dollars and takes an ambulance away from someone having an actual emergency.

For a deeper comparison, read our guide on what is an ambulette.

How Medicaid Covers NEMT

Medicaid is the largest payer for NEMT services in the United States. Under federal law (42 CFR § 431.53), every state Medicaid program must ensure beneficiaries have transportation to covered medical services. In Illinois, this works through managed care organizations (MCOs) and their contracted transportation brokers.

Here is how to get a Medicaid-covered NEMT ride in Illinois:

1. Identify your MCO. Check your Medicaid card. Common Illinois MCOs include Meridian, Molina, Blue Cross Community, CountyCare, and Aetna Better Health.
2. Call the transportation broker. Each MCO contracts with a broker (often MTM) to handle NEMT requests. The broker's phone number is on your member card or the MCO's website.
3. Request the trip. Provide your Medicaid ID, pickup address, destination, appointment date and time, and mobility level (ambulatory, wheelchair, or stretcher).
4. Get authorization. For routine local trips, authorization is usually same-day. For wheelchair or stretcher transport, a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) may be required.
5. Ride at $0 cost. Medicaid-covered NEMT has no copay, no deductible, and no coinsurance for the patient.

Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability. For eligible trips, we handle the authorization paperwork. Call (708) 505-6994 and we will coordinate with your MCO.

Medicare and NEMT

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover non-emergency medical transportation. Medicare only covers emergency ambulance transport and limited non-emergency ambulance transport when medically necessary (for example, a patient who cannot sit up needs stretcher transport to dialysis and the physician certifies the medical necessity).

However, many Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) include NEMT as a supplemental benefit. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan documents or call the plan directly to ask about transportation benefits. Some plans offer a set number of one-way NEMT trips per year (often 24 to 48 trips).

Private Pay NEMT

Any patient can use NEMT services by paying out of pocket, regardless of insurance status. Private pay is the fastest way to book — no authorization needed, no paperwork, no wait for broker approval. Call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994, tell us where you need to go, and we confirm the price on the same call.

Private pay is common for:

• Patients whose insurance does not cover NEMT
• Urgent trips that cannot wait for Medicaid authorization
• Out-of-state patients visiting Illinois hospitals
• Families supplementing limited Medicaid trip allowances
• Hospital discharge trips where the patient needs to leave today

For a deeper look at private pay vs. Medicaid NEMT, read our comparison guide.

How to Book an NEMT Ride

Booking NEMT is straightforward. Here is the process with Dream Care Rides:

1. Call (708) 505-6994 or book online. Provide the pickup address, destination address, appointment date and time, and the patient's mobility level.
2. Receive a confirmed price. We quote the exact fare before you commit. No hidden fees.
3. Driver arrives on time. The driver calls 15 minutes before arrival. For door-to-door service, the driver comes to the patient's door.
4. Safe transport. The driver assists the patient into the vehicle, secures any equipment, and drives to the destination.
5. Drop-off assistance. The driver assists the patient out of the vehicle and into the facility (door-to-door) or to the check-in desk (hand-to-hand).
6. Wait-and-return or separate pickup. For round trips, the driver either waits at the facility or returns at a scheduled pickup time.

NEMT Service Areas: Where Dream Care Rides Operates

Dream Care Rides is headquartered in Olympia Fields, IL and provides NEMT throughout:

• Chicago and all Chicago suburbs (Cook County, DuPage County, Will County, Lake County, Kane County)
• Northwest Indiana (Lake County, Porter County, LaPorte County)
• Central and Southern Illinois (Springfield, Champaign, Peoria, Carbondale)
• Long-distance trips nationwide within the continental United States

View all our coverage area cities to see if your location is served.

Common NEMT Trip Types

NEMT covers far more than just doctor visits. Here are the most common trip categories:

• Dialysis transport: 3 trips per week, 52 weeks per year. Standing order scheduling available. Learn more.
• Cancer treatment: Chemotherapy and radiation sessions, often daily for weeks. Learn more.
• Hospital discharge: Getting patients home safely after surgery or hospitalization. Learn more.
• Physical therapy: 2-3 trips per week during rehabilitation. Learn more.
• Mental health appointments: Therapy, psychiatric visits, outpatient programs. Learn more.
• Senior transportation: Any medical or wellness appointment for older adults. Learn more.
• Wheelchair transport: Any trip requiring a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Learn more.
• Stretcher transport: Patients who must remain lying down. Learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does NEMT stand for?

NEMT stands for non-emergency medical transportation. It refers to professional transport services that take patients to scheduled medical appointments, treatments, and procedures when the trip is not a 911 emergency.

How much does NEMT cost in Illinois?

Illinois NEMT rates vary by vehicle type. Ambulatory (sedan): $50–$60 base + $3.00 per mile after the first 3 miles. Wheelchair (ADA van): $60–$70 base + $3.50 per mile after the first 3 miles. Stretcher (ambulette): $350–$400 base + $6.00 per mile after the first 5 miles. Weekend trips add $50 per leg and major holidays add a fee shown before you book. Call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 for an exact quote.

Does Medicaid pay for NEMT?

Yes. Illinois Medicaid covers NEMT at $0 cost to the patient. The patient's managed care organization authorizes trips through a transportation broker. Dream Care Rides accepts Medicaid in select service areas and handles the authorization process for eligible trips — call to check availability. Call (708) 505-6994.

Do I need a doctor's note to use NEMT?

For private pay NEMT, no doctor's note is needed. For Medicaid-covered trips, a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) is required for wheelchair and stretcher transport. Ambulatory Medicaid trips generally do not require a PCS.

What is the difference between NEMT and an ambulance?

NEMT transports stable patients to scheduled appointments. Drivers are CPR/First Aid certified but do not provide medical treatment. Ambulances carry EMTs or paramedics who can administer medications, start IVs, and provide emergency medical care. NEMT costs $35 – $525 base; ambulances cost $800 – $5,000+.

Can NEMT take me to the pharmacy or grocery store?

Yes. Medicaid-covered NEMT is limited to medical appointments, but private pay NEMT can take you anywhere — pharmacy, grocery store, religious services, social outings. Dream Care Rides offers private pay transportation for any destination. Call (708) 505-6994.

How far in advance should I book NEMT?

For Medicaid trips, book at least 3 to 5 business days in advance (the broker needs time to authorize the trip). For private pay, Dream Care Rides can often accommodate same-day or next-day bookings. For recurring trips (dialysis, chemo), set up a standing order once and rides are scheduled automatically.

Is NEMT available 24/7?

Dream Care Rides operates 7 days a week including weekends and holidays. Early morning hospital discharges and late-evening appointment returns are common. Weekend trips add $50 per leg, and major holidays add a fee shown before you book. Call (708) 505-6994 to schedule any time.