How Do I Get a Medicaid Ride to Dialysis in Illinois?

Step 1: Find the right phone number

Look at the back of your Medicaid card for a transportation phone number. If you are enrolled in an Illinois Medicaid MCO (such as Meridian, Aetna Better Health, Blue Cross Community, CountyCare, or Molina), there is usually a dedicated transportation line. Our Medicaid NEMT coverage guide explains how the program is structured.

Step 2: Request a standing dialysis schedule

Most dialysis patients ride three times a week for years. When you call the broker, ask to set up a standing (recurring) authorization instead of booking each trip separately. The recurring authorization covers all your sessions for a set period, usually 90 days at a time. See our dialysis NEMT guide for what to expect.

Step 3: Choose your NEMT provider

You can request a specific provider when the broker has multiple options in-network. Dream Care Rides is an approved NEMT provider for multiple Illinois MCOs and serves dialysis riders across the Chicago metro area and beyond.

What to do next

• ✓Locate the transportation phone number on your Medicaid card.
• ✓Call at least 48 hours before your next dialysis appointment.
• ✓Ask for a standing/recurring authorization covering your full schedule.
• ✓Request Dream Care Rides by name if your MCO has us in-network.

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