NEMT Questions Answered

Standard Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). However, many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include transportation as a supplemental benefit. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan through carriers like Humana, Aetna, or UnitedHealthcare, check your plan's Summary of Benefits for a "non-emergency medical transportation" or "health-related transportation" line item. The number of covered trips varies — some plans offer 24 one-way trips per year while others offer unlimited rides to covered medical appointments. For patients who need regular transport, such as three-times-weekly dialysis, a Medicare Advantage plan with NEMT benefits can save thousands annually. Dream Care Rides works directly with many Medicare Advantage brokers in Illinois to simplify the process. Call us at (708) 505-6994 to verify your plan coverage, or book online and our team will check benefits before your first ride. You can also learn more about Medicaid transportation options if you hold dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility.

Yes. Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) in all 50 states, including Illinois. Federal law requires state Medicaid programs to arrange transportation for beneficiaries who have no other way to reach covered medical services. In Illinois, Medicaid NEMT is managed through transportation brokers or managed care organizations (MCOs). To use the benefit, you typically need to call your MCO or the state broker at least 48 hours before your appointment to schedule a ride. Dream Care Rides is an approved Medicaid transportation provider in select service areas of Illinois. We handle ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher transport for Medicaid members in those areas throughout the Chicago metro area and Northwest Indiana. To learn the full process for scheduling Medicaid rides in Illinois, read our complete Illinois NEMT guide. If you need help verifying your Medicaid transportation eligibility, call us at (708) 505-6994 or visit our Medicaid rides page.

Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include non-emergency medical transportation as a supplemental benefit. The coverage varies by carrier and plan tier. Some plans provide a set number of one-way trips per year (commonly 24-48), while premium plans may offer unlimited rides to approved medical appointments. Plans from Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Molina often include NEMT benefits in Illinois. To check your specific plan: (1) call the number on the back of your Medicare Advantage card, (2) ask specifically about "non-emergency medical transportation benefits," and (3) confirm which types of trips are covered. Dream Care Rides accepts many Medicare Advantage plans and can verify your benefits before your first ride. Call (708) 505-6994 for a free benefits check, or visit our payment options page to explore alternatives if your plan does not include transportation.

NEMT costs vary by vehicle type, distance, and region. In Illinois, Dream Care Rides charges: Ambulatory (sedan/SUV) — $30–$60 base plus $3.00 per mile after the first 3 miles. Wheelchair (ADA van) — $40–$70 base plus $3.50 per mile after the first 3 miles. Stretcher (ambulette) — $350–$400 base plus $6.00 per mile after the first 5 miles. The base fare covers the first few miles, driver assistance, and vehicle use. Longer trips add per-mile charges. Base rates are per one-way leg; a round trip is two legs. A 10-mile ambulatory leg comes to about $51–$81 in base and loaded mileage, before surcharges, empty miles and tolls; the exact price shows before you book. For a personalized quote, use our NEMT cost calculator or call (708) 505-6994. If you have Medicaid, NEMT is covered at no cost to you — see our Medicaid rides page.

Wheelchair van transportation in Illinois costs $40–$70 as a base fare, plus $3.50 per mile after the first 3 miles. The base fare includes driver assistance, ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp or lift, and securement of the wheelchair inside the vehicle. A 10-mile one-way wheelchair leg comes to about $65–$95 in base and loaded mileage, before surcharges, empty miles and tolls. Base rates are per one-way leg; a round trip is two legs. Ambulatory and wheelchair round trips take 10% off the return leg's base and mileage. Factors affecting cost include distance, time of day, and whether a companion rides along (no extra charge at Dream Care Rides). Weekend rides add +$50 per leg, and major holidays add a fee shown before you book. Use our cost calculator to estimate your trip, or call (708) 505-6994 for an exact quote. Learn more about our wheelchair transportation service.

Stretcher (ambulette) transportation is the most specialized NEMT service and costs $350–$400 as a base fare, plus $6.00 per mile after the first 5 miles. The higher cost reflects the specialized vehicle, two-person crew (driver plus attendant), and medical-grade stretcher equipment. Common stretcher transport scenarios include hospital discharge for patients who cannot sit upright, transfers between skilled nursing facilities, and long-distance medical transports. A 20-mile stretcher leg comes to about $440–$490 in base and loaded mileage, before surcharges, empty miles and tolls. Surcharges are flat, per leg: weekends +$50 per leg, oxygen +$25, and major holidays add a fee shown before you book. Dream Care Rides is one of the few Illinois NEMT providers offering stretcher transport with a fully trained crew. See our stretcher transportation page or call (708) 505-6994 for a quote.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers dialysis treatment but does not cover transportation to and from dialysis centers. However, many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include non-emergency medical transportation as a supplemental benefit, and dialysis rides are typically eligible. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligible), Medicaid covers NEMT to dialysis at no cost. Contact your Medicare Advantage plan to ask about transportation benefits, or call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 to verify your coverage. Learn more on our dialysis transportation page.

Several programs provide free or low-cost transportation for dialysis patients: (1) Medicaid NEMT — if you qualify for Medicaid, transportation to dialysis is fully covered. (2) Medicare Advantage plans — many include free transportation benefits. (3) American Kidney Fund — provides financial assistance for dialysis-related transportation. (4) DaVita and Fresenius patient assistance — some centers coordinate transportation for patients in need. (5) Local nonprofits — organizations like the American Cancer Society and United Way sometimes fund medical transportation. Dream Care Rides accepts Medicaid in select service areas, which covers dialysis transportation at no cost. Read our guide to free medical transportation or call (708) 505-6994.

DaVita Kidney Care does not directly provide transportation to its dialysis centers, but many DaVita locations have partnerships with local NEMT providers and can help patients arrange rides. DaVita's social workers can also assist with verifying Medicaid NEMT benefits and connecting patients with transportation assistance programs. If you receive dialysis at a DaVita center in the Chicago area, Dream Care Rides can provide standing-order transportation with consistent pickup times and drivers. We serve DaVita locations throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Call (708) 505-6994 to set up a standing order or visit our dialysis transportation page.

Dream Care Rides operates three categories of vehicles: (1) Ambulatory vehicles — sedans and SUVs for patients who can walk and sit independently. These are used for routine doctor visits, physical therapy, and pharmacy trips. (2) Wheelchair vans — ADA-compliant vans with hydraulic lifts or ramps and wheelchair securement systems. Used for patients who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility. (3) Stretcher vehicles (ambulettes) — specialized vehicles with a hydraulic stretcher lift and medical-grade stretcher. Used for patients who cannot sit upright, including post-surgical and SNF transfer patients. All vehicles are inspected regularly, climate-controlled, and equipped with GPS tracking. Learn more about our wheelchair fleet or stretcher fleet, or call (708) 505-6994.

Ambulatory (sedan/SUV) — for patients who can walk to the vehicle, climb in, and sit with a seatbelt. Rates: $30–$60 base plus $3.00 per mile after the first 3 miles. Wheelchair (ADA van) — for patients who remain in their wheelchair during transport. The van has a ramp or lift and tie-down securement. Rates: $40–$70 base plus $3.50 per mile after the first 3 miles. Stretcher (ambulette) — for patients who must lie flat during transport. A two-person crew loads the patient on a stretcher. Rates: $350–$400 base plus $6.00 per mile after the first 5 miles. Choosing the right service type depends on the patient's mobility level. When booking with Dream Care Rides, our team helps you select the correct vehicle. Call (708) 505-6994 or visit our rate schedule.

An ambulette is a non-emergency medical vehicle equipped with a hydraulic stretcher lift and medical-grade stretcher for patients who cannot sit upright during transport. Unlike an ambulance, an ambulette does not carry advanced life-support equipment and is not staffed by paramedics. Ambulettes are used for hospital discharges, skilled nursing facility transfers, and long-distance medical transport where the patient is stable but non-ambulatory. Dream Care Rides operates ambulettes with trained two-person crews throughout Illinois. Rates are $350–$400 base plus $6.00 per mile after the first 5 miles. Read our detailed ambulette guide or visit our stretcher service page. Call (708) 505-6994 to book.