Private Pay NEMT: Direct Booking, Upfront Pricing, No Broker
You call. We give you a price. You book. That is the entire process. No broker middleman, no prior authorization, no 48-hour wait for a callback. Private pay puts you in control of your medical transportation—choose your provider, choose your service level, and ride the same day if you need to.
What Is Private Pay NEMT?
Private pay means you book and pay for your non-emergency medical transportation directly, without going through an insurance company or a transportation broker. There is no Medicaid authorization process, no Medicare benefit limit, no third-party dispatcher deciding which provider picks you up. You call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994, we tell you exactly what the ride costs, you confirm, and the booking is done.
The advantage is control and speed. You choose your provider. You choose your service level. You get an upfront price before you commit. You can book same-day. You can set up recurring rides with a single phone call. And when you need to change something—a different time, a different destination, an extra stop—you call us directly and we adjust. No callbacks, no re-authorizations, no bureaucratic delays between you and your medical appointment.
Private pay is not a luxury option. It is the most practical option for patients whose insurance does not cover NEMT, patients whose broker service is unreliable, and families who want to guarantee that their loved one gets to every appointment safely and on time. Most of our private pay patients are not wealthy—they are people who decided that reliable medical transportation is worth paying for directly.
Who Uses Private Pay NEMT?
Private pay is not one type of patient. It is any patient who needs reliable medical transportation and wants to book it directly. Here are the four most common situations.
Post-Surgical Patients
You just had knee replacement, spinal surgery, or a procedure that makes driving impossible. The hospital is discharging you and you need a safe ride home—possibly on a stretcher, possibly in a wheelchair, possibly with a companion. Your insurance does not cover NEMT, or you cannot wait for broker authorization. Private pay gets you home the same day, in the right vehicle, with trained attendants.
Medicaid Patients Who Need a Supplement
Your Medicaid broker covers your routine dialysis rides, but they cannot schedule a same-day trip to a specialist across town. Or the broker-assigned provider is unreliable—late pickups, wrong vehicle type, no-shows. Private pay fills the gap. You book directly with Dream Care Rides, get the service level you need, and never miss an appointment. Using private pay does not affect your Medicaid eligibility.
Seniors Without Medicare Advantage NEMT Benefit
You are on Original Medicare (Parts A and B), which does not cover non-emergency medical transportation. Or your Medicare Advantage plan gives you only 12 rides per year and you exhausted them by April. You need reliable, compassionate transportation to medical appointments, and you are willing to pay directly for the confidence that comes with a professional driver who shows up on time and assists you inside.
Families Paying for a Parent’s Rides
Your mother lives in Chicago and needs wheelchair transportation to her oncologist every two weeks. You live out of state and cannot drive her. You want to know exactly who is picking her up, that the driver is trained and background-checked, and that someone will walk her from her apartment to the doctor’s office. Private pay gives you that control. You call, you set up the schedule, you pay—and you know your mom is in good hands.
What Private Pay With Dream Care Rides Means
Six commitments we make to every private pay patient. Not marketing language—operational promises that our dispatch team, drivers, and billing department are held to.
"One call sets up your full recurring schedule"
Dialysis three times a week? Physical therapy every Tuesday? One call to (708) 505-6994 and every ride is booked. No weekly phone calls. No re-authorizations. No forgetting to schedule. We confirm the full calendar and you are set until you tell us otherwise.
"Same driver for recurring patients when possible"
Consistency matters, especially for elderly patients and those with cognitive impairments. When you book recurring rides, we assign the same driver whenever possible. Someone who knows the patient by name, knows the fastest route, knows to bring the wheelchair to the second-floor apartment, and knows that Mrs. Johnson needs an extra minute on the stairs.
"Your quote is your price"
We quote a total before you commit—base fare, mileage, stairs, wait time, everything. The number we say on the phone is the number on your receipt. No surprise surcharges after the ride. No “additional service fees” buried in a follow-up invoice. If the scope of the trip changes (different pickup, longer wait), we tell you the updated price before we proceed.
"Door-through-door means inside both doors"
When we say door-through-door, we mean the driver walks the patient from inside their home, through the building lobby, into the vehicle, and then from the vehicle through the entrance of the medical facility, down the hallway, and to the check-in desk. Not “drop you at the curb and wave goodbye.” Inside both buildings. Every time.
"We tell you upfront when we can’t cover a trip"
Not every trip is a fit. If the destination is outside our service area, the timing conflicts with fleet availability, or the patient needs a vehicle type we do not have, we tell you immediately—before you have committed, before you have adjusted your schedule, and with enough time to find an alternative. We would rather be honest than overpromise.
"A human answers (708) 505-6994"
No automated phone tree. No “press 1 for English.” No hold music that plays for 20 minutes. When you call Dream Care Rides, a trained dispatcher answers. They can quote you a price, book a ride, adjust a standing order, or connect you with operations—all in the same call. If you reach voicemail after hours, we call back within the hour.
Illinois Private Pay Rates
These are our standard private pay rate ranges for trips in Illinois. Your exact quote depends on service level, distance, and any extras. We always give you the total before you commit.
Ambulatory
Sedan & SUV transport
$35–$65
base fare
+ $2–$4 per mile
Wheelchair
ADA vans with hydraulic lifts
$65–$115
base fare
+ $3–$6 per mile
Stretcher
Gurney & Broda Traversa
$300–$525
base fare
+ $5–$16 per mile
Stair assistance, companion riders, and oxygen accommodation included on most trips. View full rate guide →
How to Book a Private Pay Ride
Call or Go Online
Call (708) 505-6994 or book at dreamcarerides.com/booking. Have ready: patient name, pickup and drop-off addresses, appointment date and time, and mobility needs.
Get Your Quote
We calculate the all-in price based on service type, distance, and any extras. No hidden fees. The number we say is the number you pay.
Confirm the Booking
Approve the price and your ride is locked in. For recurring appointments, we book the full calendar in a single call.
Ride Day
Your driver arrives on time, assists you at the service level you booked, and gets you to your appointment safely. Pay after the trip.
Private Pay vs. Medicaid Broker: An Honest Comparison
We are not here to bash Medicaid. It is an essential benefit that covers millions of rides. But the broker model and direct private pay are different experiences. Here is an honest side-by-side so you can decide what works for your situation.
| Feature | Private Pay | Medicaid Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Book same-day | Yes | Rarely (48–72 hr lead time) |
| Choose your provider | Yes | Request only (not guaranteed) |
| Upfront pricing | Yes — quoted before booking | N/A (covered by Medicaid) |
| Same driver for recurring trips | Yes (when possible) | Varies by assigned provider |
| Door-through-door standard | Yes | Depends on authorization |
| Booking takes | Under 3 minutes | 10–20 min + callback |
| Human answers the phone | Yes | Sometimes (long hold times) |
| Cost to patient | Quoted fare | $0 (Medicaid covers it) |
Note: Medicaid covers NEMT at no cost to the patient, which is a significant advantage for eligible patients. Private pay offers more control and speed but at the patient's expense.
Private Pay FAQs
Does paying privately for NEMT affect my Medicaid eligibility?+
No. Paying out of pocket for medical transportation does not count as income and does not affect your Medicaid eligibility or benefits. Many Medicaid patients use private pay for trips their broker cannot schedule—same-day rides, specialist visits, or situations where the broker-assigned provider is unavailable. Your Medicaid status remains unchanged.
Can I book a private pay ride same-day?+
Yes. Private pay patients can book same-day rides subject to vehicle availability. Call (708) 505-6994 as early as possible for the best availability. Ambulatory rides have the highest same-day availability. Wheelchair and stretcher trips benefit from 24–48 hours of notice but can often be accommodated same-day.
What is included in the quoted price?+
Your quoted price includes the base fare, mileage, and the service level you selected (curb-to-curb, door-to-door, door-through-door, etc.). Wait time up to 15 minutes at the destination is included. Stair assistance, oxygen tank accommodation, and companion riders are included at no extra charge on most trips. If there are any potential surcharges—extended wait time, after-hours pickup, or holiday scheduling—we disclose them before you confirm the booking.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to book?+
No. Private pay patients do not need a doctor’s order, prior authorization, referral, or any insurance paperwork. You call, we quote, you book. If your trip requires stretcher transport, we may ask about the patient’s mobility and medical needs to assign the correct vehicle and crew—but that is an operational question, not a bureaucratic hurdle.
Can I pay with a credit card?+
Yes. We accept credit cards, debit cards, and can send an invoice for recurring rides. Payment is processed after the trip is completed. For standing orders, we can set up automatic billing so you do not have to pay individually for each ride.
What if I need to cancel?+
We ask for at least two hours’ notice for cancellations to avoid a cancellation fee. For stretcher trips, 24 hours’ notice is preferred because these trips require reserving a specialized vehicle and two-person crew. If you cancel within the notice window, there is no charge. If the appointment is cancelled by the medical facility, let us know as soon as you find out and we will waive any fees.
Can a companion ride along?+
Yes. One companion can ride along at no extra charge on most trips. This is common for family caregivers, patients with cognitive impairments, and elderly patients who want someone familiar at their medical appointment. If you need more than one companion, call us to confirm vehicle capacity.
How is private pay different from using a rideshare like Uber or Lyft?+
NEMT vehicles are ADA-compliant, equipped with wheelchair lifts, ramps, and tie-down systems. Drivers are trained in patient assistance, defensive driving, and HIPAA compliance. They pass background checks and drug screenings. They will escort you inside both buildings at the door-through-door level. A rideshare driver drops you at the curb. For patients with mobility limitations, medical equipment, or who need physical assistance, NEMT is the appropriate service.
Book Your Private Pay Ride Now
A real person answers the phone. We give you a price before you commit. No broker, no authorization, no surprises. Same-day available.
Otse Amorighoye
Founder & CEO, Dream Care Rides | NPI: 1033989991
Otse Amorighoye founded Dream Care Rides to solve a problem he saw firsthand: patients missing critical medical appointments because reliable, compassionate transportation did not exist. Under his leadership, Dream Care Rides has completed over 50,000 trips across Illinois and Indiana, serving Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and private pay patients with ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher transport.