Stretcher Transportation in Chicago — Non-Emergency Stretcher Transport

Last updated: March 2026

A stretcher ride costs $95 to $200. An ambulance costs $1,200 to $2,500. For stable patients who need to travel lying down, Dream Care Rides provides safe, dignified stretcher transport at a fraction of emergency rates. Call (708) 505-6994.

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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?

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.

Stretcher Transport vs. Ambulance — Cost Comparison

Understanding the differences can save you thousands of dollars while still ensuring safe, professional transport for your loved one.

Feature	Stretcher Transport (NEMT)	Emergency Ambulance
Typical Cost	$95 — $200	$1,200 — $2,500+
Medical Staff on Board	Trained attendant (CPR/First Aid)	Paramedics / EMTs
Life-Support Equipment	No	Yes
Patient Positioning	Supine with adjustable head/knee	Supine with full medical support
Best For	Stable patients, facility transfers, discharges	Medical emergencies requiring intervention
Scheduling	Pre-scheduled (72 hrs recommended)	On-demand / 911 dispatch
Insurance Coverage	Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, private	Emergency insurance, often with high copay

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.

Stretcher Transportation Pricing

Service Level	Base Rate	Per Mile	Typical 10-Mile Trip
Standard Stretcher	$150	$3.50	$185
Bariatric Stretcher	$200	$4.00	$240

Chicago Hospitals and Facilities We Serve

●Northwestern Memorial Hospital

●Rush University Medical Center

●University of Chicago Medical Center

●Advocate Christ Medical Center

●John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital

●Loyola University Medical Center

●Amita Health Saint Joseph Hospital

●Presence Resurrection Medical Center

How to Book Stretcher Transportation

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
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
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
Receive upfront price confirmation
Before the ride is confirmed, you receive a final price quote. Stretcher transport starts at $150 base rate plus $3.50 per mile. No hidden fees, no surprise charges. The quoted price is the final price.
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.

About Dream Care Rides

Dream Care Rides is a licensed, insured non-emergency medical transportation provider headquartered in Olympia Fields, Illinois (NPI #1033989991), serving patients throughout Chicago, Cook County, and the greater Illinois-Indiana metro area. All pricing and operational information on this page reflects our current private pay rates and service standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between stretcher transport and an ambulance?

Stretcher transport (also called gurney transport) is a non-emergency service for patients who must remain lying down during transit but do not require life-saving medical intervention en route. An ambulance provides emergency medical care with paramedics and advanced life-support equipment. Stretcher transport costs a fraction of an ambulance ride, typically $95 to $200 versus $1,200 to $2,500 or more for an ambulance. If your condition is stable and you do not need IV medications, cardiac monitoring, or airway management during the ride, stretcher transport is the medically appropriate and far more affordable 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 transport, not repurposed from a hospital or ambulance. Unlike standard hospital gurneys that are built for in-facility movement and have a high center of gravity, the Traversa features a lower profile for road stability, an integrated five-point safety harness, multiple reclining positions from flat to semi-seated, and padded surfaces designed for comfort on trips lasting 30 minutes or longer. The stretcher locks into the vehicle floor using a crash-tested load system that prevents any movement during transit. Patients who have been transported on standard gurneys frequently comment on the comfort difference.

Do I need a physician order for stretcher transportation?

In most cases, yes. Medicaid and insurance plans generally require a physician's order or a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) that confirms the patient cannot safely travel in a wheelchair or seated position. Our team can help you obtain the required documentation from your provider. For private pay patients, a physician order is not always required but is recommended for documentation purposes. Call (708) 505-6994 and we will guide you through the documentation process based on your payment method and insurance coverage.

How far in advance should I book a stretcher ride?

We recommend booking at least 72 hours in advance to ensure vehicle and crew availability. Stretcher vehicles require a two-person crew and specialized equipment, so advance notice helps us assign the right resources. For hospital discharges with shorter timelines, we can often accommodate same-day or next-day requests for private pay patients. Call (708) 505-6994 as soon as your discharge date is confirmed. The earlier you call, the more flexibility we have in scheduling your preferred pickup time.

Is the patient monitored during the stretcher ride?

Our trained attendants ride in the patient compartment and monitor comfort, positioning, and safety throughout the trip. While we do not provide medical interventions like an ambulance crew, our staff are certified in CPR and First Aid and can respond to basic needs during transport. The attendant monitors the patient continuously, adjusts head and knee positioning as needed, ensures the safety harness remains properly secured, and communicates with dispatch if any concern arises during the trip.

What equipment is on board your stretcher vehicles?

Each stretcher vehicle carries a Broda Traversa stretcher (or equivalent) rated for up to 700 pounds, oxygen tank holders for supplemental O2 during transit, IV pole mounts for patients receiving intravenous fluids, adjustable head and knee sections for patient comfort, full-length side rails for safety, and climate-controlled patient compartments. Vehicles are sanitized between every trip using hospital-grade disinfectants. All equipment is inspected daily and maintained on an accelerated service schedule to ensure reliability.

Need Stretcher Transportation in Chicago?

Call (708) 505-6994 to speak with our dispatch team or book your ride online. We serve all of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Book Online Now

Bariatric Transportation Chicago Chicago Coverage Area CMS Ambulance Services Info

Who Needs Stretcher Transportation?

Stretcher Transport vs. Ambulance — Cost Comparison

Understanding the differences can save you thousands of dollars while still ensuring safe, professional transport for your loved one.

Feature	Stretcher Transport (NEMT)	Emergency Ambulance
Typical Cost	$95 — $200	$1,200 — $2,500+
Medical Staff on Board	Trained attendant (CPR/First Aid)	Paramedics / EMTs
Life-Support Equipment	No	Yes
Patient Positioning	Supine with adjustable head/knee	Supine with full medical support
Best For	Stable patients, facility transfers, discharges	Medical emergencies requiring intervention
Scheduling	Pre-scheduled (72 hrs recommended)	On-demand / 911 dispatch
Insurance Coverage	Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, private	Emergency insurance, often with high copay

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

Service Level

Base Rate

Per Mile

Typical 10-Mile Trip

Standard Stretcher

$150

$3.50

$185

Bariatric Stretcher

$200

$4.00

$240

How to Book Stretcher Transportation

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.

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.

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.

Receive upfront price confirmation

Before the ride is confirmed, you receive a final price quote. Stretcher transport starts at $150 base rate plus $3.50 per mile. No hidden fees, no surprise charges. The quoted price is the final price.

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.