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What Counts as an Emergency?
Call 911 if you experience:
We provide NEMT for:
Dream Care Rides is a licensed NEMT provider. We do not provide emergency ambulance or paramedic services.
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A reference guide for healthcare assessors, discharge planners, and case managers to select the correct transport level for each patient. Includes a decision tree, comparison table, service level definitions, and documentation requirements.
For Healthcare Assessors • (708) 505-6994 • NPI #1033989991
Use this flowchart to determine the appropriate transport level. Start at the top and follow the path that matches your patient's current mobility status.
Patient walks to/from vehicle
Ramp/lift access
Patient must lie flat
Special case: If the patient weighs 300+ lbs with mobility limitations → Bariatric Transport (specialty vehicle with wide ramp — call (708) 505-6994 for availability)
| Feature | Ambulatory | Wheelchair | Stretcher | Bariatric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Sedan/SUV | ADA Van | Ambulette | Specialty Van |
| Patient Mobility | Walks independently or with cane/walker | Uses wheelchair, can transfer with help | Cannot sit upright, must remain supine | 300+ lbs with limited mobility |
| Assistance | Walk-on support | Ramp or hydraulic lift | Gurney with 2 attendants | Wide ramp, reinforced equipment |
| Service Levels | Curb-to-Curb, Door-to-Door, Hand-to-Hand | Curb-to-Curb, Door-to-Door, Door-Through-Door | Room-to-Room, Door-Through-Door, Bed-to-Bed | Custom (call for details) |
| Base Rate | $35 – $65 | $65 – $115 | $300 – $525 | Call for quote |
| Per Mile | $2 – $4 | $3 – $6 | $5 – $16 | Call for quote |
Surcharges: Weekends 1.5×, Holidays 2.25×, Wait time $15–$30/15 min, Oxygen $25, Stairchair $25.
Driver picks up the patient at the curb of the pickup address and drops them off at the curb of the destination. Patient is responsible for getting to and from the vehicle.
Available for: Ambulatory, Wheelchair
Driver assists the patient from the exterior door of the pickup location to the vehicle, and from the vehicle to the exterior door of the destination.
Available for: Ambulatory, Wheelchair
Driver assists the patient from inside the pickup location (lobby, room, or residence) through the destination building to the check-in desk or waiting area.
Available for: Wheelchair, Stretcher
Driver stays with the patient from pickup to hand-off at the destination. The patient is physically accompanied from one person's care to another (e.g., caregiver to nurse).
Available for: Ambulatory
Two attendants transport the patient on a gurney from one room (hospital room, nursing home room) to a room at the destination facility.
Available for: Stretcher
Full transfer assistance. Patient is moved from their bed at the origin to a bed at the destination, including all lifting and positioning by trained attendants.
Available for: Stretcher
The following clinical indicators suggest the patient requires a higher service level than their baseline mobility might indicate. When in doubt, err on the side of a higher service level. Call (708) 505-6994 if you need guidance.
| Service Level | Private Pay | Medicaid |
|---|---|---|
| Ambulatory | No documentation required | MCO authorization (varies by plan) |
| Wheelchair | No documentation required | MCO authorization + mobility assessment on file |
| Stretcher | Physician order recommended | MCO authorization + Physician Certification Statement (PCS) |
| Bariatric | Patient weight disclosure at booking | MCO authorization + weight documentation + PCS if stretcher |
If the patient can sit upright in a wheelchair and transfer with assistance, wheelchair transport is appropriate. If the patient cannot maintain a seated position, must remain supine, or requires continuous monitoring during transport, stretcher transport is required. Call (708) 505-6994 if you are unsure.
Stretcher transport typically requires a physician order or medical necessity form stating the patient cannot sit upright for the duration of transport. For Medicaid-covered stretcher trips, the MCO may require a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) confirming medical necessity.
Service level changes cannot be made mid-trip because different vehicle types are required. If a patient’s condition changes, call (708) 505-6994 to schedule a new trip at the correct service level. Always assess the patient at the time of scheduling.
Door-to-door means the driver walks the patient from the exterior door of pickup to the exterior door of the destination. Door-through-door means the driver assists the patient inside the building to the reception area or exam room. Choose door-through-door for patients who need help navigating inside facilities.
Yes. Dream Care Rides provides bariatric transport for patients weighing 300+ pounds with mobility limitations. Bariatric transport uses specialty vehicles with wide ramps and reinforced equipment. Call (708) 505-6994 for availability and pricing.
Call Dream Care Rides dispatch at (708) 505-6994. Describe the patient’s mobility, medical condition, and equipment needs. Our team will help you determine the appropriate service level.
Questions about service level selection? Call Dream Care Rides dispatch:
Dream Care Rides • 20000 Governors Dr Suite 103H, Olympia Fields, IL 60461 • NPI #1033989991
Our dispatch team can help you determine the right service level over the phone. Call us with the patient's mobility details and we will recommend the appropriate transport.