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Ambulatory

Ambulatory Transportation — Three Service Levels for Every Need

The most popular NEMT service for private-pay patients in the Chicagoland area.

Choose the level of care you need: Curb to Curb for independent riders, Door to Door for assistance to the entrance, or Hand to Hand for continuous personal support throughout your trip. Sedan and SUV transport with trained, professional drivers.

Ambulatory Transportation — Three Service Levels for Every Need
Service Levels

Choose the Right Level of Care

Every patient is different. That's why we offer three ambulatory service levels — so you get exactly the assistance you need, nothing more, nothing less.

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Curb to Curb

Base Level

Our driver picks you up and drops you off at the curb. Ideal for patients who can walk independently but cannot drive themselves.

  • Curbside pickup & drop-off
  • Clean, comfortable sedan or SUV
  • Background-checked driver
  • Mobility aid storage (cane, walker)
Most Popular
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Door to Door

Standard Level

Your driver walks to your front door, assists you to the vehicle, and walks you to the entrance of your destination. No one is left standing alone.

  • Everything in Curb to Curb
  • Door-to-vehicle walking escort
  • Vehicle entry & exit assistance
  • Destination entrance escort
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Hand to Hand

Premium Level

Continuous personal assistance from the moment we arrive to the moment we hand you off to staff at your appointment. Full interior navigation included.

  • Everything in Door to Door
  • Interior navigation & elevator help
  • Facility check-in / sign-out
  • Stair assistance available

Not sure which level you need? View all trip options or call (708) 505-6994

Understanding NEMT

What Is Ambulatory Transportation?

Ambulatory transportation is non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) designed for patients who can walk but need professional assistance getting to and from medical appointments. This includes individuals who use a cane, walker, or rollator, patients recovering from surgery, elderly individuals with balance concerns, and anyone who cannot safely drive themselves.

Unlike a standard taxi or rideshare, ambulatory NEMT includes trained drivers, vehicle assistance, and a level of care appropriate to your needs — from basic Curb to Curb pickup to full Hand to Hand personal escort.

At Dream Care Rides, we let you choose your service level. Most patients select Door to Door for the right balance of assistance and affordability.

Dream Care Rides driver assisting elderly patient at physical therapy facility
Comparison

NEMT vs. Rideshare: Know the Difference

Uber and Lyft were built for convenience. Dream Care Rides was built for patients who need more than a car.

Side-by-side comparison: Uber/Lyft curb-to-curb rideshare vs Dream Care Rides hand-to-hand NEMT service
FeatureDream Care RidesUber / Lyft
Service LevelsCurb to Curb, Door to Door, Hand to HandCurb-to-Curb only
Driver TrainingNEMT-certified, patient assistance trainedNo medical training
Physical AssistanceWalking escort, vehicle entry/exit helpNot provided
Stair AssistanceAvailable with Hand to Hand levelNot available
Wait-and-ReturnYes, driver waits on-siteMust rebook a new ride
Recurring SchedulingStanding weekly schedulesBook each ride individually
Mobility Aid SupportCanes, walkers, rollators accommodatedDepends on driver
Background ChecksFull background + drug testingBackground check only
Medicaid AcceptedYesLimited / varies
Use Cases

Ambulatory Transport Is Perfect For

Dream Care Rides driver picking up patient from dialysis center

Dialysis & Recurring Treatments

Three trips a week, every week — dialysis patients need a provider they can count on. Set up a standing schedule and we handle the rest, including wait-and-return for every session.

Learn more →
Dream Care Rides staff at outpatient surgery center discharge desk

Outpatient Procedures

Post-procedure patients often cannot drive themselves home. We provide wait-and-return service for colonoscopies, cataract surgery, biopsies, and other outpatient procedures.

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Dream Care Rides driver assisting patient with stairs at doctor office

Doctor Appointments & Specialists

Reliable transport to primary care, cardiology, orthopedic, and other specialist appointments across Chicagoland Area. Our drivers arrive early and walk you in so you are never rushed or stressed.

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Dream Care Rides driver assisting elderly patient with walker at home

Hospital Discharge & Follow-Up

Being discharged from the hospital should not depend on whether a family member is available. Our drivers assist you from the hospital lobby to your front door — safely and with dignity.

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Benefits

Why Patients Choose Dream Care Rides

Three Service Levels

Choose Curb to Curb, Door to Door, or Hand to Hand — the right level of assistance for your needs.

Trained & Background-Checked

Every driver passes background checks, drug testing, and NEMT-specific training in patient assistance.

On-Time, Every Time

Advanced routing and real-time traffic monitoring ensure you arrive on time for every medical appointment.

Walker & Cane Friendly

Our sedans and SUVs accommodate mobility aids. Drivers are trained to safely assist and stow equipment.

Wait-and-Return

Your driver waits on-site during your appointment and brings you home — no need to rebook.

Stair Assistance Available

Need help with stairs? Our Hand to Hand service level includes full stair assistance and interior navigation.

Elderly patient booking a Dream Care Rides ambulatory trip on tablet
Easy Booking

Book Your Ride in Minutes

Our online booking tool lets you schedule your ambulatory trip in just a few clicks. Select your service level, choose your date and time, and get an instant price. Or call us and we'll handle everything.

1

Enter your pickup and destination addresses

2

Choose your service level: Curb to Curb, Door to Door, or Hand to Hand

3

Select date, time, and any add-ons (wait-and-return, companion)

4

Confirm and pay — your driver is assigned instantly

Step by Step

Seamless Booking Process

1

Passenger Details

Name, phone number, and pickup address collected for your trip.

2

Choose Service

Select Ambulatory, Wheelchair, or Stretcher transport.

3

Trip Details

Enter pickup and drop-off addresses, dates, and route type.

4

Pickup Preference

Choose Scheduled, Will Call, or Wait and Return.

5

Special Requirements

Add oxygen, stair assistance, bariatric support, and more.

6

Confirm & Pay

Review your quote, pay securely, and get instant confirmation.

Need a Different Level of Service?

As patient needs change, Dream Care Rides scales with you. From ambulatory to wheelchair to full stretcher transport — one provider, one standard of care.

Get Started

Book Your Ambulatory Ride Today

Ready to experience the difference between a rideshare and real medical transport? Book online in minutes, or call us at (708) 505-6994 to schedule your ambulatory trip in the Chicagoland Area. Choose from Curb to Curb, Door to Door, or Hand to Hand — the right level of care for you.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Ambulatory transportation is non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for patients who can walk but may need assistance getting to and from medical appointments. This includes patients who use canes, walkers, or rollators and need a trained driver to help them safely get in and out of the vehicle and navigate to their destination.

We offer three ambulatory service levels. Curb to Curb is our base level where the driver picks up and drops off at the curb. Door to Door adds assistance from your front door to the vehicle and from the vehicle to the entrance of your destination. Hand to Hand is our premium level where your driver provides continuous physical assistance throughout the entire trip, including interior navigation and facility sign-in.

Rideshare drivers provide curb-to-curb service only — they stay in the car and you are on your own. Dream Care Rides offers three service levels including Door to Door and Hand to Hand assistance. Our drivers are background-checked, drug-tested, and trained in patient assistance. We also offer wait-and-return, recurring scheduling, and stair assistance.

Hand to Hand is our premium ambulatory service level. Your driver physically walks to your door, assists you to the vehicle, helps you in and out, and walks you into your destination — whether that is a doctor's office lobby, a hospital entrance, or your front door at home. You receive continuous personal assistance at every transition point of your trip.

Pricing depends on distance, service level (Curb to Curb, Door to Door, or Hand to Hand), and whether you need wait-and-return. Ambulatory transport is our most affordable service type, starting with sedan and SUV options. Contact us for a free quote, or use our online booking tool to see pricing instantly for your specific trip.

Yes, Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation in Illinois for eligible members. Dream Care Rides works with Medicaid managed care organizations to provide covered ambulatory trips. Contact your Medicaid plan to confirm your NEMT benefit, then call us to schedule your ride.

Absolutely. Our sedans and SUVs accommodate walkers, canes, rollators, and other mobility aids. Our drivers are trained to safely stow your equipment and assist you in and out of the vehicle. If you need more extensive help, such as stair assistance or interior navigation, ask about our Hand to Hand service level.

We recommend booking at least 24 to 48 hours in advance for the best availability. For recurring trips like dialysis or physical therapy, set up a standing schedule and your rides are automatically reserved each week. Same-day requests may be available depending on fleet capacity — call us to check.

Yes. Wait-and-return means your driver stays on-site during your appointment and drives you home when you are done. This is ideal for dialysis sessions, outpatient procedures, and short specialist visits where rebooking a separate return trip is inconvenient.

Yes. One companion, family member, or caregiver can ride along at no additional charge on most ambulatory trips. This is common for elderly patients, post-surgical patients, or anyone who feels more comfortable with a familiar person present. Let us know when you book so we assign the right vehicle.

We provide NEMT services throughout Chicago and the surrounding areas. Please contact us to confirm if we service your specific location.