Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Rates in Illinois

Dream Care Rides charges private pay base rates per one-way leg in Illinois, plus mileage: ambulatory $50–$60 base plus $3.00 per mile after the first 3 miles, wheelchair $60–$70 base plus $3.50 per mile after the first 3 miles, and stretcher $350–$400 base plus $6.00 per mile after the first 5 miles. Your exact price shows before you book, or call (708) 505-6994.

Yes. Illinois Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible beneficiaries. Illinois uses a broker-based model to coordinate NEMT services. The primary coordinator is First Transit (via MCOs). Patients must be Medicaid-eligible and traveling to a covered medical appointment. Dream Care Rides is primarily private pay: Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability.

Per-mile rates in Illinois vary by service type: ambulatory transport is $3.00/mile, wheelchair transport is $3.50/mile, and stretcher transport is $6.00/mile. These are charged on top of the base rate.

Illinois NEMT rates are near the national average. The national average base rate is approximately $48 for ambulatory, $88 for wheelchair, and $411 for stretcher transport. Illinois's rates reflect local cost of living, fuel costs, and market conditions.

Dream Care Rides uses flat surcharges, each per leg and only when they apply. Weekend rides add $50 per leg; pickups between 6 PM and 7 AM add $50–$300 per leg; major holidays add a fee shown before you book; oxygen is +$25, a stair chair +$40, bariatric riders +$30 (stretcher +$175), and airport legs +$30; waiting is $15 per 15 minutes after the first 15 free.

You can book NEMT with Dream Care Rides online at dreamcarerides.com/booking or by calling (708) 505-6994. Dream Care Rides serves the Chicago area with ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher transport 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine rides to doctor appointments in Illinois or any other state. Part B covers ground ambulance when other transport could endanger your health, and non-emergency ambulance only when it is medically necessary with a written order (for example, some dialysis patients); you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible. Some Medicare Advantage plans include rides to appointments as a supplemental benefit, so check your plan's Evidence of Coverage. People with both Medicare and Medicaid can use Illinois Medicaid's NEMT benefit.

Dream Care Rides serves Chicago and 80+ communities across Chicagoland from its headquarters in Olympia Fields, IL, plus Northwest Indiana. It also runs long-distance trips to and from the Chicago area; call (708) 505-6994 to check a pickup address.