Dialysis Transportation

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.

A standing order means your rides are automatically scheduled for the same days and times each week — no need to call and book each trip individually. To set up a standing order with Dream Care Rides: (1) Call (708) 505-6994 or book online. (2) Tell us your dialysis schedule (days, times, center address). (3) We assign a consistent driver who learns your routine. (4) Rides are automatically dispatched each week. Standing orders are available for both Medicaid and private-pay patients. Most dialysis patients ride three times per week (Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday), which adds up to approximately 156 round trips per year. See our dialysis transportation page for details.

The cost depends on the vehicle type and distance. For ambulatory (sedan) dialysis transport: $30–$60 base plus $3.00 per mile after the first 3 miles. For wheelchair van transport: $40–$70 base plus $3.50 per mile after the first 3 miles. 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. Ambulatory and wheelchair round trips take 10% off the return leg's base and mileage. For Medicaid patients, dialysis transportation is fully covered at no cost. Dream Care Rides also offers standing-order arrangements for recurring dialysis rides. Call (708) 505-6994 for a personalized quote or use our cost calculator.

If you do not have a car, several options exist: (1) Medicaid NEMT — call your MCO to arrange covered rides. (2) NEMT providers like Dream Care Rides — we specialize in medical transportation with wheelchair-accessible vehicles. (3) Paratransit — Pace ADA paratransit in the Chicago area provides shared rides for eligible individuals, though scheduling is less flexible. (4) Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) — works for fully ambulatory patients; Uber WAV and Lyft Access offer wheelchair-accessible rides in select major cities but are curb-to-curb only with no trained patient handling and unpredictable advance scheduling for recurring appointments. (5) Dialysis center social worker — can connect you with local transportation resources. Dream Care Rides is the most reliable option for recurring dialysis patients because we offer standing orders, consistent drivers, and door-to-door wheelchair-accessible service. Call (708) 505-6994 or visit our dialysis page.

Yes. Dream Care Rides provides ADA-compliant wheelchair van transportation to dialysis centers throughout the Chicago metro area and Northwest Indiana. Our wheelchair vans feature hydraulic lifts, securement systems, and trained drivers who assist with boarding and disembarking. Wheelchair dialysis transport costs $40–$70 base plus $3.50 per mile after the first 3 miles. If you have Medicaid, wheelchair transport to dialysis is fully covered. We offer standing orders so your wheelchair van arrives at the same time every dialysis day. Visit our wheelchair transportation page or call (708) 505-6994.

Yes. Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation to dialysis in all 50 states, including Illinois. Since dialysis is a medically necessary Medicaid-covered service, the transportation to and from your dialysis center is also covered. In Illinois, call your managed care organization (MCO) to schedule rides, or request Dream Care Rides as your preferred provider in select service areas. We handle all the Medicaid billing so you pay nothing out of pocket. Visit our Medicaid rides page or call (708) 505-6994 to set up your dialysis standing order.

Dream Care Rides accommodates schedule changes. If your dialysis session runs longer than expected, simply have the dialysis center staff notify our dispatch at (708) 505-6994 and we will adjust your pickup time. For standing-order patients, we build in a buffer window so your driver is not dispatched until you are actually ready. Wait-time charges ($15/15 min (first 15 min free)) apply only after a reasonable grace period. For Medicaid patients, wait time is typically covered. Dialysis schedules are not always predictable, and our drivers are trained to be patient and flexible.

Yes. Dream Care Rides provides dialysis transportation throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, including suburban areas like Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Waukegan, Cicero, and Hammond, Gary, Merrillville, and Portage in Indiana. We serve all major dialysis chains including DaVita, Fresenius, and hospital-based dialysis units. For long-distance dialysis transport (over 50 miles), we can arrange special pricing. See our full coverage area or call (708) 505-6994 to confirm service to your dialysis center.