Stretcher Transportation in Chicago — Non-Emergency Stretcher Transport

Stretcher transportation in Chicago serves patients who cannot sit upright during transit but do not require the emergency medical intervention provided by an ambulance. This includes individuals recovering from surgery, those with severe mobility limitations, patients transferring between facilities, and people with conditions that require them to remain in a supine position. Dream Care Rides offers professional, non-emergency stretcher transport throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs at a fraction of the cost of an ambulance.

Many families are unaware that a non-emergency stretcher service exists. When a hospital discharge planner says a patient needs to travel lying down, the assumption is often that an ambulance is the only option. In reality, non-emergency stretcher transport provides a comfortable, safe, and significantly more affordable alternative for patients whose condition is stable but who simply cannot travel seated.

Who Needs Stretcher Transportation in Chicago?

Stretcher transport is appropriate for a broad range of patients. Common scenarios include post-surgical recovery where the patient must remain flat, advanced-stage illness requiring supine positioning, spinal injuries or conditions that prevent sitting, patients transitioning from hospital to skilled nursing facility, individuals returning home after extended inpatient care, patients with severe obesity who cannot safely sit in a wheelchair for the duration of the trip, and individuals with open wounds or surgical sites that require horizontal positioning. If a patient can safely travel without active medical treatment but cannot sit upright, stretcher transport is typically the right choice.

What Is the Broda Traversa and Why Does Dream Care Rides Use It?

The Broda Traversa is a specialized non-emergency stretcher system designed specifically for ambulette and medical van transport. Unlike hospital gurneys, which are built for in-facility movement and feature tall frames with small wheels optimized for hallways and elevators, the Traversa is purpose-built for road transport. It has a lower center of gravity that reduces the risk of tipping during vehicle movement, and its frame is engineered to absorb road vibrations rather than transmitting them directly to the patient.

The Traversa features an integrated five-point safety harness system that holds the patient securely during transit. The stretcher surface is padded with medical-grade foam designed for trips lasting 30 minutes to several hours, far more comfortable than the thin mattress pads on standard hospital gurneys. The head section and knee section each adjust independently, allowing patients to be positioned in full recline, semi-reclined at 15 to 30 degrees, or in a seated position for patients who need slight elevation during transport.

The stretcher locks into the vehicle floor using a crash-tested load system. Four locking points anchor the stretcher base to reinforced floor tracks, preventing any lateral, forward, or rearward movement during transit. This is not a stretcher borrowed from an ambulance or a hospital. It is purpose-built for this exact use case, and it is the primary reason patients who have experienced both standard gurney transport and Traversa transport consistently report a significant comfort difference.

What Are the Stretcher Transportation Pricing Options?

What Is Bed-to-Bed Transport in Chicago?

Bed-to-bed transport is the highest level of stretcher service. A two-person crew transfers the patient directly from their hospital or facility bed onto a transport stretcher, secures them for the ride, and transfers them into the destination bed at the receiving facility or home. The patient never needs to stand, sit, or bear weight at any point.

Bed-to-bed stretcher transport starts at $300 to $525 base rate plus $5 to $16 per mile. For long-distance bed-to-bed transport, see our long-distance medical transport page. Call (708) 505-6994 to schedule bed-to-bed transport.

What Chicago Hospitals and Facilities Does Dream Care Rides Serve?

How Do I Book Stretcher Transportation in Chicago?

1. 1

   Call Dream Care Rides

   Call (708) 505-6994 or book online at dreamcarerides.com. Tell us you need stretcher transportation. Private pay patients can book same-day without broker authorization.

2. 2

   Provide patient and trip details

   Give us the patient name, date of birth, approximate weight, pickup address with room or suite number, destination address, and preferred pickup date and time. Mention any special equipment needs such as supplemental oxygen or IV pole.

3. 3

   Submit physician documentation

   If using Medicaid or insurance, provide the Physician Certification Statement (PCS) or physician order. Our team can help you obtain this from the treating physician if needed. Private pay patients may proceed without a PCS.

4. 4

   Receive upfront price confirmation

   Before the ride is confirmed, you receive a final price quote. Stretcher transport ranges from $300 to $525 base rate plus $5 to $16 per mile depending on service level and equipment needs. No hidden fees, no surprise charges. The quoted price is the final price.

5. 5

   Two-person crew arrives with stretcher

   On transport day, a two-person crew arrives with the Broda Traversa stretcher system. They safely transfer the patient from bed to stretcher, secure all safety harnesses, load the stretcher into the vehicle, and transport the patient to their destination with continuous monitoring.