If you or someone close to you needs medical care but doesn’t have a dependable way to get there, Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) can make all the difference. In Illinois, many hospitals understand how important this is and have teamed up with NEMT providers to help patients get the care they need—even when getting to the clinic or hospital isn’t easy.
Medicaid and All Kids cover non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) in certain circumstances to ensure that clients can get to and from medical appointments, making these hospital partnerships essential for thousands of Illinois residents. Here are the top 5 hospitals that excel at NEMT coordination and patient transportation support.
What Makes a Hospital NEMT-Friendly?
The best hospitals for NEMT coordination share several key features: dedicated transportation coordinators, partnerships with multiple NEMT providers, streamlined scheduling systems, accessible infrastructure, and patient advocacy programs that help navigate insurance coverage and transportation barriers.
1. Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago)
Northwestern Memorial Hospital leads Illinois in NEMT coordination with their comprehensive Patient Transportation Services department. Located in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, this Level I trauma center has developed sophisticated systems to serve patients across the region.
Key NEMT Features:
- 24/7 transportation coordination
- Partnerships with ModivCare, MTM, and other major NEMT providers
- Specialized transportation for dialysis, chemotherapy, and radiation patients
- Multilingual staff supporting Spanish, Polish, and other languages
- Same-day emergency NEMT for urgent medical needs
Northwestern’s centralized transportation desk eliminates confusion by handling all NEMT requests through one point of contact, making them particularly effective for cancer patients, cardiac surgery patients, and those requiring ongoing specialty care.
Contact: (312) 926-2000 | 251 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611
2. University of Chicago Medical Center
The University of Chicago Medical Center has built one of Illinois’s most sophisticated NEMT coordination systems. Their South Side location serves diverse communities where transportation barriers could prevent access to world-class care.
Specialized Programs:
- Cancer Care Transportation with dedicated oncology NEMT coordination
- High-Risk Pregnancy Support for expectant mothers requiring frequent monitoring
- Pediatric Medical Transport with child-friendly vehicles and trained attendants
- Mental Health Transportation with specialized behavioral health support
Their MyChart patient portal includes NEMT scheduling capabilities, allowing patients to request transportation online and track rides in real-time. The hospital’s care coordinators schedule medical appointments and transportation simultaneously, reducing coordination stress for patients and families.
Contact: (773) 702-1000 | 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
3. Rush University Medical Center (Chicago)
Rush University Medical Center has invested heavily in transportation coordination infrastructure, recognizing that reliable transportation directly impacts patient outcomes. Their West Side Chicago location serves as a major referral center for complex medical cases.
Notable Features:
- Pre-appointment transportation planning with 48-72 hour confirmation calls
- Heart and Vascular Transportation Program for cardiac patients
- Orthopedic Recovery Transport with wheelchair and stretcher-capable vehicles
- Post-discharge transportation ensuring safe transport home after procedures
Rush has reduced appointment no-shows by over 30% among Medicaid patients through their comprehensive NEMT coordination, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in improving healthcare access.
Contact: (312) 942-5000 | 1611 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612
4. Advocate Christ Medical Center (Oak Lawn)
Advocate Christ Medical Center specializes in coordinating NEMT services across southwestern Chicago suburbs and beyond. Their location in Oak Lawn makes them experts at serving patients traveling longer distances from suburban and rural communities.
Regional Expertise:
- Coverage across Cook, Will, and DuPage counties
- Extended distance transportation for rural Illinois communities
- Multi-stop medical trips for patients needing multiple appointments
- Senior-focused transportation programs with mobility equipment assistance
The hospital has developed innovative programs including mobile clinics that reduce long-distance NEMT needs and telemedicine programs that supplement in-person care, particularly benefiting rural patients.
Contact: (708) 684-8000 | 4440 W 95th St, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
5. OSF Saint Francis Medical Center (Peoria)
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center serves as Central Illinois’s healthcare anchor, coordinating NEMT across vast geographic areas. As one of the largest medical centers outside Chicago, they’ve mastered long-distance transportation coordination for rural and small-town patients.
Comprehensive Coverage:
- Downstate Illinois Transportation Network covering 40+ counties
- Weather-resilient transportation with backup systems for winter conditions
- Children’s Hospital transport with pediatric specialists
- Multi-day treatment coordination including lodging and transportation
OSF works closely with rural fire departments, EMS services, and community organizations to create comprehensive transportation networks that serve patients regardless of their ability to pay for commercial NEMT services.
Contact: (309) 655-2000 | 530 NE Glen Oak Ave, Peoria, IL 61637
How to Access NEMT Through These Hospitals
Getting Started
Contact Early: Reach out to the hospital’s transportation coordinator when scheduling your appointment, ideally 48-72 hours in advance.
Verify Coverage: Confirm your insurance covers NEMT services. Transportation must be to a covered medical service; to the nearest available appropriate medical provider; and by the least expensive mode of transportation adequate to meet the individual’s need.
Provide Complete Information: Share details about mobility needs, medical equipment, and special accommodations required.
What to Expect
These hospitals typically offer:
- Comprehensive insurance verification and prior authorization assistance
- Multiple NEMT provider options to ensure availability
- Backup transportation plans for weather or vehicle issues
- Accessibility accommodations for wheelchairs, oxygen, and other medical equipment
- Bilingual support and patient advocacy services
For additional information about NEMT services in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services provides comprehensive guidance on coverage and eligibility requirements. Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) plays a vital role for individuals who have trouble getting to medical appointments on their own. It’s a key service supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure everyone can access the care they need.
Plan Ahead: Schedule transportation at least 48 hours before your appointment when possible.
Confirm Details: Verify pickup times, locations, and any special requirements the day before your appointment.
Stay Flexible: Build extra time into your schedule to accommodate potential delays.
Keep Contacts Handy: Save the hospital’s transportation coordinator number and your NEMT provider’s dispatch number.
Communicate Needs: Always inform coordinators about mobility equipment, language preferences, and any medical considerations.
These five Illinois hospitals have demonstrated exceptional commitment to removing transportation barriers that prevent patients from accessing healthcare. Through comprehensive NEMT coordination programs, they’ve made it possible for thousands of patients to receive necessary medical care regardless of their transportation situation.
Whether you need routine specialist care, ongoing treatment like dialysis or chemotherapy, or complex surgical procedures, these hospitals have the infrastructure and partnerships to ensure reliable transportation. Their investment in NEMT coordination reflects a broader understanding that healthcare access requires more than just excellent medical care – it requires removing the barriers that prevent patients from reaching that care.
Don’t let transportation concerns prevent you from seeking necessary medical treatment. Contact these hospitals’ transportation coordinators early in your care planning process, and take advantage of the comprehensive support systems they’ve developed to help patients succeed in their healthcare journeys.
