Loading...
Medical Transportation Services in Chicago & Illinois
Ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher transport with trained attendants, ADA-compliant vehicles, and upfront pricing. Serving 80+ cities across Illinois and Indiana.
Last updated: March 2026
📋 Licensed & Bonded✅ Background-Checked Drivers♿ ADA Compliant Fleet⭐ 5.0 Google Rating (45+ reviews)📱 Real-Time Trip Tracking
Three Service Lines
Choose Your Chicago Transport Type
Every ride includes trained attendants, proactive communication, and service levels from curb-to-curb through bed-to-bed.
🚗AMB
Ambulatory Transport
Sedan & SUV
$35 – $65base
$2 – $4/mi
Door-to-door sedan or SUV rides for patients who can walk with minimal assistance. Trained drivers provide hand-to-hand support from your door to the vehicle and into the facility.
Curb-to-CurbDoor-to-DoorHand-to-Hand
- Doctor visits & specialist appointments
- Pharmacy & outpatient procedures
- Dialysis, chemotherapy & imaging
Learn more
♿WCH
Wheelchair Transport
ADA Van
$65 – $115base
$3 – $6/mi
ADA-compliant vans with hydraulic lifts and Q-Straint securement. The patient stays in their wheelchair during loading and transit. Stair assistance available with portable stairchairs.
Curb-to-CurbDoor-to-DoorDoor-Through-Door
- Recurring dialysis 3x–5x/week
- Physical therapy & rehabilitation
- Assisted living & memory care transport
Learn more
🛏️STR
Stretcher Transport
Ambulette
$300 – $525base
$5 – $16/mi
Full bed-to-bed stretcher service with a two-person crew and Broda Traversa stretcher system. For patients who cannot sit upright during transit. Bariatric stretcher options available.
Room-to-RoomDoor-Through-DoorBed-to-Bed
- Hospital discharges & SNF transfers
- Post-surgical & hospice transport
- Long-distance medical transport
Learn more
Surcharges: Weekends 1.5× · Holidays 2.25× · Wait time $15–$30/15 min · Oxygen $25 · Stairchair $25. Full pricing details →
Specialized Transport
Transport for Every Medical Need
Beyond our three core service lines, we provide specialized transport for specific medical conditions and trip types.
🏥
Dialysis Transportation
Standing orders for 3x/week sessions
🚑Hospital Discharge
Same-day discharge from all major hospitals
👴Senior Transportation
Door-through-door for elderly passengers
🛣️Long-Distance Transport
Interstate and cross-state NEMT
✈️Airport Medical Transport
O’Hare & Midway medical pickups
🛋️Bariatric Transport
Reinforced equipment for 300+ lb patients
🎯Cancer Treatment
Chemo, radiation & oncology appointments
🏋️Physical Therapy
Recurring rides to PT & rehab sessions
🩺Post-Surgical Transport
Recovery transport after outpatient surgery
🧠Mental Health
Behavioral health & therapy appointments
💜Hospice Transport
Compassionate end-of-life transport
🩹Wound Care
Recurring wound care center visits
🏢Inter-Facility Transfer
Hospital-to-SNF and facility-to-facility
🏠Nursing Home Transport
Rides to and from skilled nursing facilities
🧡Dementia & Alzheimer’s
Trained drivers for memory care patients
Service Levels Explained
Each transport type offers multiple assistance levels. Choose the level that matches your patient's mobility and needs.
Curb-to-Curb
AMB · WCHDriver meets the patient at the curb and helps them into the vehicle. No assistance to or from the door.
Door-to-Door
AMB · WCHAttendant walks to the patient’s door, assists them to the vehicle, and escorts them to the door at the destination.
Hand-to-Hand
AMBAttendant assists the patient from the care of one person (caregiver, nurse) to the vehicle, and hands them to the receiving person at the destination.
Door-Through-Door
WCH · STRAttendant enters the building, navigates hallways, elevators, and doorways with the patient, and delivers them to the destination room.
Room-to-Room
STRTwo-person crew transfers the patient from their room onto the stretcher and delivers them to the destination room.
Bed-to-Bed
STRHighest level of service. Crew transfers the patient from their bed to the stretcher and into the destination bed. The patient never bears weight.
Transparent Pricing
NEMT Pricing in Chicago & Illinois
All prices confirmed upfront before your ride. No hidden fees. Pricing varies by service type, distance, and time of service.
| Service Type | Base Rate | Per Mile | Typical 10-Mile Trip | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulatory | $35 – $65 | $2 – $4 | $55 – $105 | Sedan / SUV |
| Wheelchair | $65 – $115 | $3 – $6 | $95 – $175 | ADA Van w/ Lift |
| Stretcher | $300 – $525 | $5 – $16 | $350 – $685 | Ambulette w/ Stretcher |
Weekends
1.5×
surcharge
Holidays
2.25×
surcharge
Wait Time
$15 – $30
per 15 minutes
Oxygen / Stairchair
$25
per trip each
Why Patients & Facilities Choose Dream Care Rides
⭐
5.0 Google Rating
45+ verified Google reviews with a perfect 5.0 rating. Real patients. Real outcomes. Read what families and discharge planners say about our service.
🎓
Trained Attendants on Every Ride
Every driver and attendant is CPR/First Aid certified, background-checked, and trained in patient handling, wheelchair securement, and stretcher transfers.
💰
Upfront, Transparent Pricing
You receive a confirmed quote before every ride. Base rate, mileage, surcharges, and equipment fees are itemized. No surprise charges after the trip.
📍
Real-Time GPS Tracking
Track your ride in real time. Facilities and family members can monitor pickup and drop-off status. Automated ETA notifications keep everyone informed.
⏰
24/7 Dispatch & Availability
Our dispatch team is available around the clock. Early morning dialysis pickups, late-night hospital discharges, and weekend appointments are all covered.
👤
Dedicated Account Management
Healthcare facilities get a dedicated account manager, custom reporting, online scheduling portal, and flexible billing options (per-trip or monthly invoicing).
Our Fleet & Equipment
Every vehicle is inspected daily, sanitized between trips, and equipped for the specific service type it supports.
Ambulatory Vehicles
- ✓Late-model sedans and SUVs
- ✓Climate-controlled interiors
- ✓Step stools for easy entry
- ✓Sanitized between every trip
Wheelchair Vans
- ✓Hydraulic lifts rated for 800+ lbs
- ✓Q-Straint wheelchair securement
- ✓Wide-entry ADA doorways
- ✓Portable stairchairs available
Stretcher Ambulettes
- ✓Broda Traversa stretcher system
- ✓IV pole mounts & O2 tank holders
- ✓Bariatric capacity up to 700 lbs
- ✓Climate-controlled patient compartment
Payment & Insurance Options
💳
Private Pay
Credit/debit cards
🏥Medicaid
IL MCO authorization
📄Medicare Advantage
Plans with NEMT
🛡️Workers’ Comp
Employer-covered
🇺🇸VA Benefits
Veteran transport
🏢Facility Billing
Monthly invoicing
Not sure which payment method applies? Call (708) 505-6994 and we'll help you determine your coverage options.
How to Book a Ride
1
Book
Call (708) 505-6994 or submit a request at dreamcarerides.com/booking. Tell us the service type, pickup location, and date.
2
Confirm
Receive an upfront quote with base rate, mileage, and any surcharges. Confirm and prepay securely online or by phone.
3
Ride
Your assigned driver arrives on time with the right vehicle. Real-time GPS tracking keeps you and the facility informed.
4
Arrive
The attendant assists the patient door-to-door (or bed-to-bed for stretcher) at the destination. Trip complete.
Serving 80+ Cities Across Illinois & Indiana
Dream Care Rides is headquartered in Olympia Fields, IL with coverage spanning the Chicago metro area, South Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs, and NW Indiana. Long-distance medical transport available statewide and interstate.
View all coverage areas →Who We Serve
👨👩👧
Patients & Families
Private pay and Medicaid patients booking rides for medical appointments, dialysis, therapy, and hospital discharges.
Private Pay Options →🏥Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals, SNFs, dialysis centers, and clinics looking for a reliable NEMT partner with dedicated account management.
Facility Solutions →📄MCOs & Health Plans
Managed care organizations and health plans needing a direct, licensed NEMT provider across the Chicago metro and NW Indiana. 24-hour credentialing response.
MCO Partnerships →Frequently Asked Questions
What NEMT services does Dream Care Rides provide?
Dream Care Rides provides three core NEMT service types: ambulatory (sedan/SUV) transport for patients who can walk with minimal assistance at $35–$65 base rate, wheelchair (ADA van) transport with hydraulic lifts at $65–$115 base rate, and stretcher (ambulette) transport for patients who cannot sit upright at $300–$525 base rate. All services include trained attendants, door-to-door assistance, and proactive communication. Call (708) 505-6994 to book any service type.
How much does NEMT cost in Chicago?
NEMT pricing in Chicago depends on the service type and distance. Ambulatory transport costs $35–$65 base plus $2–$4 per mile. Wheelchair transport costs $65–$115 base plus $3–$6 per mile. Stretcher transport costs $300–$525 base plus $5–$16 per mile. Weekend rides carry a 1.5× surcharge and holidays 2.25×. Wait time is $15–30 per 15 minutes. Supplemental oxygen adds $25 per trip. All prices are confirmed upfront before booking. Call (708) 505-6994 for your exact quote.
What is the difference between ambulatory and wheelchair transport?
Ambulatory transport uses sedans or SUVs for patients who can walk with minimal assistance. The driver provides hand-to-hand or door-to-door support, but the patient must be able to sit upright in a standard vehicle seat. Wheelchair transport uses ADA-compliant vans equipped with hydraulic lifts and Q-Straint securement systems. The patient remains in their wheelchair during loading and the ride. Choose wheelchair transport if the patient uses a wheelchair, cannot climb vehicle steps, or needs more physical support than a standard sedan allows.
Do you accept Medicaid for NEMT services?
Dream Care Rides is primarily a private-pay NEMT provider with transparent, upfront pricing. Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability for your plan and location. Private pay patients can book directly without authorization. Visit our private pay page for pricing details.
What service levels are available?
Dream Care Rides offers multiple service levels depending on the transport type. Ambulatory: curb-to-curb, door-to-door, and hand-to-hand. Wheelchair: curb-to-curb, door-to-door, and door-through-door. Stretcher: room-to-room, door-through-door, and bed-to-bed. Higher service levels include more attendant assistance. Door-through-door means the attendant assists the patient from inside their home or facility through doorways and hallways to the vehicle. Bed-to-bed means the crew transfers the patient from one bed to the transport stretcher and then into the destination bed.
What areas does Dream Care Rides serve?
Dream Care Rides is headquartered in Olympia Fields, IL and serves 80+ cities across Illinois and NW Indiana. Primary coverage includes Chicago, the South Suburbs (Olympia Fields, Matteson, Park Forest, Homewood, Richton Park, Flossmoor), the Southwest Suburbs (Joliet, Orland Park, Tinley Park), the West Suburbs (Aurora, Naperville, Cicero), and NW Indiana (Gary, Hammond, East Chicago). Long-distance medical transport is available statewide and interstate.
How do I book a ride?
Book online at dreamcarerides.com/booking or call (708) 505-6994. Provide the patient name, pickup and destination addresses, preferred date and time, service type (ambulatory, wheelchair, or stretcher), and any special requirements such as oxygen or stair assistance. Private pay patients receive an upfront quote before confirming. We recommend booking 24–72 hours in advance, though same-day service is available for private pay patients when vehicles are available.
Are your vehicles ADA compliant?
Yes. Every wheelchair and stretcher vehicle in the Dream Care Rides fleet meets ADA compliance requirements. Wheelchair vans are equipped with hydraulic lifts rated for 800+ pounds, Q-Straint securement systems, and wide-entry doorways. Stretcher vehicles carry medical-grade Broda Traversa stretchers, IV pole mounts, oxygen tank holders, and climate-controlled patient compartments. All vehicles are inspected daily and sanitized between trips using hospital-grade disinfectants.
What is the difference between NEMT and an ambulance?
NEMT (non-emergency medical transportation) is for patients who are medically stable but cannot drive themselves to medical appointments. An ambulance provides emergency medical care with paramedics and life-support equipment. NEMT costs a fraction of an ambulance: ambulatory rides start at $35–$65, wheelchair at $65–$115, and stretcher at $300–$525, compared to $1,200–$2,500+ for an ambulance. If your condition is stable and you do not need IV medications, cardiac monitoring, or airway management during transit, NEMT is the medically appropriate and far more affordable option. Call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 to determine which service level you need.
Can I schedule recurring rides for dialysis or therapy?
Yes. Dream Care Rides offers standing orders for patients who need recurring transport to dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, physical therapy, or other regular medical appointments. A standing order means your rides are pre-scheduled for the same days and times each week. The same driver is assigned whenever possible for consistency. Dialysis patients typically schedule 3 rides per week (156 per year). Standing orders can be set up for any service type. Call (708) 505-6994 to set up a standing order.
Do you provide same-day NEMT service?
Yes, for private pay patients. Same-day service depends on vehicle and crew availability. Ambulatory and wheelchair same-day requests are accommodated most of the time. Stretcher same-day requests require more coordination because stretcher vehicles need a two-person crew. For the best availability, book 24–72 hours in advance. Hospital discharge transport is frequently booked same-day, and we work directly with discharge planners to coordinate timing. Call (708) 505-6994 as soon as you know your discharge date.
What payment methods do you accept?
Dream Care Rides accepts private pay (credit/debit cards, online payment), workers’ compensation, VA benefits, and facility billing for contracted healthcare partners. Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability. Private pay patients pay upfront after receiving a confirmed quote. For payment questions, call (708) 505-6994.
Ready to Book Your Ride?
Ambulatory from $35 – $65. Wheelchair from $65 – $115. Stretcher from $300 – $525. All prices confirmed upfront.