NEMT in Indiana: Medicaid Transportation and Northwest Indiana Rides
How Indiana Medicaid transportation works, and how Dream Care Rides serves Northwest Indiana from Illinois with private-pay ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher rides, 24/7.
Quick answer
Indiana Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation to covered care. Traditional (fee-for-service) members book through the state’s broker, Verida, at 855-325-7586 at least two business days ahead; Healthy Indiana Plan, Hoosier Healthwise, Hoosier Care Connect, and PathWays members book through their health plan.
Dream Care Rides is a private-pay provider serving Northwest Indiana — Hammond, Gary, Munster, Merrillville, and nearby towns — from Illinois, including cross-state rides to Chicago hospitals: Ambulatory $50–$60 base + mileage, wheelchair $60–$70 base + mileage, stretcher $350–$400 base + mileage. Base rates are per one-way leg; a round trip is two legs.
Last updated · By Otse Amorighoye, Founder & CEO, Dream Care Rides
NEMT in Indiana: Overview
Access to reliable medical transportation is a critical need across Indiana. Northwest Indiana, which borders the Chicago metropolitan area, is one of the most densely populated regions in the state and has a significant demand for non-emergency medical transportation services.
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) in Indiana connects patients who face mobility challenges, lack personal vehicles, or cannot safely drive themselves with the healthcare facilities they need to reach. This includes dialysis centers, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, specialty clinics, and primary care offices. Without reliable NEMT, patients miss appointments, delay treatment, and experience worsening health outcomes.
Dream Care Rides serves Indiana with a fleet of ambulatory sedans, ADA-compliant wheelchair vans, and stretcher vehicles. Our primary Indiana coverage area is Northwest Indiana (Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties), with advance-booked long-distance rides from the South Bend area (St. Joseph County). We also provide cross-state medical transportation for Indiana patients traveling to Chicago-area hospitals and specialty centers.
Indiana Service at a Glance
- Coverage: Northwest Indiana (Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties), plus long-distance rides from South Bend
- Vehicle Types: Ambulatory (sedan/SUV), wheelchair van, stretcher/gurney
- Hours: 24/7/365
- Rates: Ambulatory $50–$60 base + mileage, wheelchair $60–$70 base + mileage, stretcher $350–$400 base + mileage (private pay, per leg)
- Service Levels: Curb-to-curb, door-to-door, door-through-door, bed-to-bed, room-to-room
- Cross-State: Indiana to Illinois medical transportation available
- Phone: (708) 505-6994
Whether you need a single ride to a medical appointment in Hammond, a recurring dialysis schedule in Gary, a hospital discharge ride from a South Bend facility, or a cross-state trip to a Chicago specialty hospital, Dream Care Rides provides safe, reliable, professional transportation with trained drivers and properly equipped vehicles.
Coverage Areas in Indiana
Dream Care Rides provides active non-emergency medical transportation service across multiple regions in Indiana. Our primary service area is concentrated in Northwest Indiana due to its proximity to our Chicago-area headquarters and the high demand for medical transportation in the region. We also serve the South Bend area for patients who need local and long-distance medical transport.
Below are the regions and cities we serve in Indiana. Click any city name to view its dedicated coverage area page with local service details.
Lake County (NW Indiana Core)
The heart of our Indiana service area, bordering the Illinois state line and the Chicago metropolitan area. Lake County is home to the largest concentration of our Indiana patients.
Porter County & LaPorte County
Eastern extension of our Northwest Indiana coverage, including communities along the I-94 and US-30 corridors.
St. Joseph County
Extended service area covering South Bend and surrounding communities in north-central Indiana.
Complete Indiana City Coverage List
Don't see your city? Call (708) 505-6994 to check coverage for your specific Indiana location.
Cross-State Transportation: Indiana to Illinois
Many Indiana patients, especially those in Northwest Indiana, travel to Chicago-area hospitals and specialty centers for treatment. Dream Care Rides provides cross-state medical transportation between Indiana and Illinois for medical appointments, hospital discharges, facility transfers, and specialty visits. We cover routes between NW Indiana cities (Hammond, Gary, Highland, Munster, etc.) and Chicago-area facilities including Rush University Medical Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center, Loyola University Medical Center, and Advocate Christ Medical Center.
View our full coverage area page for a complete list of service locations across both Indiana and Illinois.
Service Types Available in Indiana
Dream Care Rides operates three primary vehicle types across Indiana, matching each patient with the right vehicle and service level for their mobility needs. All vehicles are commercially insured, ADA-compliant where applicable, and operated by trained, background-checked drivers.
Ambulatory Transportation (Sedans & SUVs)
For patients who can walk independently or with minimal assistance. Comfortable sedans and SUVs with professional drivers who provide meet-and-greet service, assistance with personal items, and escort to the destination entrance. Ideal for routine medical appointments, dialysis, outpatient procedures, and follow-up visits throughout Indiana.
Ambulatory transport is the most commonly booked service type for Indiana patients, particularly for those traveling from NW Indiana to Chicago-area medical facilities where navigating unfamiliar hospital campuses can be challenging.
Learn more about ambulatory transportWheelchair Transportation (ADA-Compliant Vans)
For patients who use wheelchairs or have significant mobility limitations. Our wheelchair-accessible vehicles are equipped with hydraulic lifts or ramps and certified tie-down systems that meet ADA and DOT standards. Available in standard, XL, and bariatric configurations.
Wheelchair transport serves Indiana patients traveling to rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, dialysis clinics, and hospitals across the state and into Illinois. Our drivers are certified in wheelchair securement and provide hands-on assistance throughout the trip.
Learn more about wheelchair transportStretcher Transportation (Gurney Vehicles)
For patients who must remain in a reclined or lying-down position during transit. Stretcher vehicles carry medical-grade equipment. Dream Care Rides offers both the conventional gurney, staffed by a two-person crew of trained attendants, and the Broda Traversa chair with adjustable tilt-and-recline positioning, Comfort Tension Seating for pressure relief and one operator.
Stretcher transport in Indiana is commonly used for hospital discharges, facility-to-facility transfers (including cross-state transfers to IL facilities), and patients with conditions that prevent seated travel. This is our highest tier of service and includes trained attendants on every trip.
Learn more about stretcher transportService Levels
All three vehicle types are available with multiple levels of hands-on assistance, from basic curbside pickup to full room-to-room escort within medical facilities.
| Service Level | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Curb-to-Curb | Driver picks up and drops off at the curb. Patient walks to and from the vehicle independently. |
| Door-to-Door | Driver walks the patient between the building entrance and the vehicle. Includes help with bags and personal items. |
| Door-through-Door | Driver escorts the patient through hallways, elevators, and stairs inside a building to the specific department or check-in area. |
| Bed-to-Bed | Attendant assists from bed at the origin facility to bed at the destination. Common for hospital and SNF transfers. |
| Room-to-Room | Full escort from the specific room at origin to the designated room at destination. Highest level of hands-on assistance. |
Common Trip Types in Indiana
Dialysis Transportation
Recurring rides to dialysis centers 2-5 times per week across NW Indiana and the South Bend area. Standing schedules with dedicated drivers for consistency.
Cross-State Medical Trips
Indiana-to-Illinois transportation for patients visiting Chicago hospitals and specialty centers. One of our most requested service types for NW Indiana patients.
Hospital Discharge Rides
Safe transport home from Indiana hospitals with wheelchair and stretcher options. Door-through-door and bed-to-bed assistance included for safe patient handoff.
Physical Therapy & Rehab
Regular transportation to rehabilitation sessions, physical therapy appointments, and occupational therapy centers across Indiana.
Facility Transfers
Hospital-to-SNF, SNF-to-rehab, and facility-to-facility transfers within Indiana and across state lines. Room-to-room service available for complex transfers.
Specialist & Oncology Visits
Rides to specialty clinics, cancer treatment centers, and outpatient procedures. Many Indiana patients travel to Chicago for specialized oncology care.
Medicaid NEMT in Indiana
Indiana Medicaid includes non-emergency medical transportation as a covered benefit for eligible beneficiaries. The program is administered by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). Most members are in managed care; members who are not (Traditional, or fee-for-service, Medicaid) get rides through the state's broker, Verida.
Managed care members arrange NEMT through their health plan's designated transportation contractor. As listed by Indiana Medicaid for 2026, the plans are Anthem, CareSource, and Managed Health Services (MHS) for the Healthy Indiana Plan and Hoosier Healthwise; Anthem, MHS, and UnitedHealthcare for Hoosier Care Connect; and Anthem, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare for Indiana PathWays for Aging. MDwise is no longer an Indiana Medicaid plan option as of 2026.
How Indiana Medicaid NEMT Works
- Verify eligibility: Confirm that you are enrolled in Indiana Medicaid through the FSSA and that your managed care plan includes NEMT benefits for the type of medical service you are attending.
- Call the right number: Fee-for-service members call Verida at 855-325-7586 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET). Managed care members call the member services number on their health plan card.
- Schedule in advance: Verida asks for at least two business days' notice; health plans set their own notice rules. Provide the appointment date, time, pickup address, destination, and any special mobility requirements.
- Ride coordination: The broker or plan assigns a contracted NEMT provider to the trip and confirms the provider and pickup time.
- Day of transport: The assigned driver arrives at the scheduled time and transports you to and from your medical appointment.
Indiana Medicaid Programs That Include NEMT
Hoosier Healthwise
Indiana's Medicaid managed care program for children and pregnant women. NEMT is arranged through the member's health plan (Anthem, CareSource, or MHS).
Hoosier Care Connect
Managed care for Medicaid members under 60 who have a disability or blindness. NEMT is arranged through the member's health plan (Anthem, MHS, or UnitedHealthcare).
Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP)
Indiana's Medicaid program for low-income adults. Transportation benefits vary by HIP plan type; rides are arranged through the member's health plan (Anthem, CareSource, or MHS).
Indiana PathWays for Aging
Managed care for Medicaid members 60 and older. NEMT is arranged through the member's health plan (Anthem, Humana, or UnitedHealthcare).
Traditional Medicaid (Fee-for-Service)
Members not in a managed care program. NEMT is brokered by Verida: call 855-325-7586 at least two business days before the appointment.
Private Pay Option in Indiana
Many patients in Indiana choose private pay NEMT for greater flexibility and premium service. Private pay allows shorter booking windows, guaranteed vehicle availability, choice of provider, and the ability to schedule same-day or next-day rides without the MCE authorization process.
Dream Care Rides operates on a transparent private pay model, with starting rates of Ambulatory $50–$60 base + mileage, wheelchair $60–$70 base + mileage, stretcher $350–$400 base + mileage. Base rates are per one-way leg; a round trip is two legs. You see an itemized price before confirming, with base fare, mileage, and any extras listed. View our current rates or book online.
Get a Free Quote for Indiana NEMT
Tell us your pickup location, destination, and service needs. Receive a transparent, itemized quote within minutes. No obligations.
How to Book NEMT in Indiana
Booking non-emergency medical transportation with Dream Care Rides in Indiana follows the same straightforward process as our Illinois service. We offer multiple booking channels for patients, families, caregivers, and facility coordinators.
Choose Your Booking Method
Book online at dreamcarerides.com/booking for the fastest experience, or call our dispatch team at (708) 505-6994. Healthcare facilities can coordinate directly through our facility line for bulk or recurring patient transport.
Provide Trip Details
Enter your Indiana pickup address, destination address, appointment date and time, and the type of service you need (ambulatory, wheelchair, or stretcher). For cross-state trips to Illinois, provide the full destination address and we handle the rest.
Select Your Service Level
Choose from curb-to-curb, door-to-door, door-through-door, bed-to-bed, or room-to-room assistance. If you are unsure which level is appropriate, our team will assess your needs and recommend the right fit.
Review Your Quote
Receive a transparent, itemized quote showing the base fare, mileage rate, and any additional charges for special equipment or extended service levels. Confirm once you are satisfied.
Ride Day
Your assigned driver arrives at the scheduled time in Indiana. You receive proactive text updates and a real-time tracking link. The driver provides the level of assistance you selected and ensures safe, comfortable transport to your destination.
Booking Tips for Indiana Patients
- Book 48-72 hours in advance for guaranteed availability, especially for wheelchair and stretcher transport
- For cross-state trips to IL, allow extra time in your schedule for potential traffic on I-80/94 and I-90
- Set up standing schedules for recurring appointments (dialysis, therapy) to get consistent, dedicated drivers
- Same-day bookings may be available in NW Indiana; call (708) 505-6994 to check
- Hospital discharge coordinators can book directly with Dream Care Rides for bedside-to-home handoffs
- Will-call return trips are available for appointments with unpredictable durations
Why Choose Dream Care Rides for Indiana NEMT
Dream Care Rides serves Northwest Indiana patients with the same drivers, vehicles, and standards as our Illinois operations. Here is what that means for Indiana riders.
NW Indiana Coverage Strength
Our Indiana service area is anchored in Northwest Indiana -- Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, Highland, Munster, Merrillville, Schererville, Dyer, Crown Point, and Valparaiso. We know these communities, their medical facilities, and the routes that connect them.
Routine Cross-State Service
Indiana patients frequently travel to Chicago-area hospitals for specialized care. Dream Care Rides handles cross-state trips between Indiana and Illinois as a routine service, with no additional complexity for the patient.
Full Fleet: Ambulatory, Wheelchair & Stretcher
We operate our own fleet of commercially insured vehicles, including ambulatory sedans, ADA-compliant wheelchair vans with hydraulic lifts, and stretcher vehicles with conventional gurneys and the Broda Traversa chair.
Trained, Background-Checked Drivers
Every driver is background-checked, CPR-certified, and trained in patient assistance, wheelchair securement, and HIPAA compliance. Our drivers who serve Indiana routes are familiar with NW Indiana and Chicago-area medical facilities.
24/7/365 Availability
Medical needs do not follow business hours. We operate around the clock for Indiana patients, including early morning dialysis runs, late-night hospital discharges, weekends, and holidays.
D.R.E.A.M. Proven Process
Every Indiana ride follows our structured D.R.E.A.M. process: Discovery (intake), Reservation (booking), Experience (the ride), Assurance (communication), and Monitor (closeout). Consistent quality on every trip.
Proactive Communication & Tracking
Booking confirmations, driver en-route notifications, and real-time GPS tracking links for every trip. Patients and families always know where the ride is and when to expect arrival.
Transparent Pricing
Itemized quotes with no hidden fees for Indiana service. Base fare, mileage rate, and extras are clearly listed before booking confirmation. Cross-state pricing is transparent and included in the same quote.
Healthcare facilities in Indiana interested in partnering with Dream Care Rides for patient transportation can visit our facility partnerships page to learn about coordination options and volume pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions About NEMT in Indiana
Yes, Indiana Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation to covered medical services for eligible members. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) runs the program. Members in Traditional (fee-for-service) Medicaid book rides through the state's broker, Verida, at 855-325-7586, at least two business days before the appointment. Members of the Healthy Indiana Plan, Hoosier Healthwise, Hoosier Care Connect, or Indiana PathWays for Aging arrange rides through their health plan's transportation contractor, using the member services number on their card.
Your health plan depends on your program. As listed by Indiana Medicaid in 2026: Healthy Indiana Plan and Hoosier Healthwise are served by Anthem, CareSource, and Managed Health Services (MHS); Hoosier Care Connect by Anthem, MHS, and UnitedHealthcare; and Indiana PathWays for Aging by Anthem, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. MDwise is no longer an Indiana Medicaid plan option as of 2026. Call the number on your member card to book a covered ride.
No, Dream Care Rides' Indiana rides are private pay. Indiana Medicaid members should book covered rides through Verida (fee-for-service) or their health plan. Our own Medicaid service is limited: Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability.
Dream Care Rides covers Northwest Indiana, including Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, Highland, Munster, Merrillville, Schererville, Dyer, Crown Point, Valparaiso, Hobart, Griffith, Portage, Michigan City, LaPorte, Lake Station, Lowell, Cedar Lake, and Chesterton. This is our main Indiana service area because it borders the Chicago metro area we serve from Olympia Fields, IL.
Dream Care Rides’ private-pay starting rates apply in Indiana too: Ambulatory $50–$60 base + mileage, wheelchair $60–$70 base + mileage, stretcher $350–$400 base + mileage. Base rates are per one-way leg; a round trip is two legs. Loaded miles past 50 bill at the long-distance rate: $4.50/mi ambulatory, $5.25/mi wheelchair, $9.00/mi stretcher. Your itemized price shows before you book, or call (708) 505-6994 for a quote.
Yes, by advance booking. South Bend is part of our extended Indiana service area, served as long-distance trips, including rides from South Bend to Chicago-area hospitals and specialty centers. We offer ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher transport; book 48 to 72 hours ahead for South Bend pickups.
Yes, cross-state rides between Indiana and Illinois are one of our most common trips. Many Northwest Indiana patients travel to Chicago-area hospitals and specialty centers, and we provide ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher transport across the state line for appointments, hospital discharges, facility transfers, and specialist visits. Book online or call (708) 505-6994 to schedule a cross-state trip.
Book online at dreamcarerides.com/booking or call (708) 505-6994, and choose wheelchair transportation. Tell us whether the rider uses a standard, wide, or power chair so we send the right van; our ADA-compliant vans have lifts or ramps and certified tie-down systems. Book 48 to 72 hours ahead when you can.
Yes, Dream Care Rides runs stretcher transport in Northwest Indiana for patients who must travel reclined or lying down. Riders can go by conventional gurney, with a two-person crew, or by Broda Traversa chair, which gives adjustable tilt-and-recline positioning with one operator. Stretcher rides are common for hospital discharges, facility transfers, and riders who cannot bear weight or need lifting to transfer.
The FSSA (Family and Social Services Administration) is the Indiana state agency that runs Medicaid, including its non-emergency medical transportation benefit. FSSA contracts with Verida to broker rides for fee-for-service members, and with managed care health plans that arrange rides for their own members. If you have Indiana Medicaid, the number on your member card tells you who books your rides.
Yes, Dream Care Rides takes bookings and runs rides around the clock, including early dialysis pickups, late hospital discharges, weekends, and holidays. Book ahead for guaranteed availability; same-day rides depend on which vehicles are free. Pickups outside 7 AM–6 PM carry a flat after-hours fee per leg, and major holidays add a fee shown before you book.
Yes, Dream Care Rides allows one companion, family member, or caregiver to ride along at no additional charge on most trips. Passengers under 18 must ride with a parent or legal guardian; we do not transport unaccompanied minors. Let us know when booking so we can assign the right vehicle size.
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Read GuideBook Your Indiana NEMT Ride Today
Professional, compassionate non-emergency medical transportation across Indiana and into Illinois. Book online in minutes or call our team for immediate assistance.