Maryland Patient Transportation Guide
Wheelchair Transportation vs. Stretcher Transportation
Learn how the two services differ, what factors may affect the choice, and what information Palmer needs before reviewing a private-pay medical transportation request.
Direct Answer
Wheelchair transportation is generally intended for a medically stable passenger who can safely travel seated in a compatible wheelchair. Non-emergency stretcher transportation may be considered when a medically stable passenger cannot safely tolerate seated transportation and needs to travel lying down.
Palmer Medical Transport is a scheduled non-emergency transportation provider. Call 911 for severe or life-threatening symptoms, medical instability, unconsciousness, severe breathing difficulty, possible stroke or heart-attack symptoms, uncontrolled bleeding, or another emergency.
Choosing the Right Medical Transportation Option
Choosing between wheelchair and stretcher transportation can be confusing, especially when arranging a hospital discharge, medical appointment, rehabilitation visit, dialysis trip, facility transfer, or longer-distance patient journey.
The choice should not be based only on age, diagnosis, or whether the passenger owns a wheelchair. Important factors include the passenger’s current mobility, ability to remain seated, medical stability, required assistance, equipment, trip duration, and access at both locations.
Palmer Medical Transport reviews scheduled, private-pay medical transportation requests throughout Maryland . Every request is subject to passenger needs, route, equipment, access, requested time, and vehicle availability.
Wheelchair Transportation
Scheduled transportation for a passenger who generally travels while seated in a compatible wheelchair and does not require emergency ambulance care.
The reservation should include the wheelchair type, dimensions, passenger mobility, transfer ability, stairs, ramps, elevators, and entrance conditions.
View wheelchair transportation →Stretcher Transportation
Scheduled non-emergency transportation that may be considered for a qualifying medically stable passenger who needs to travel lying down.
Each request requires additional review of the passenger, travel position, equipment, access, transfers, destination, and whether ambulance-level care is required.
View stretcher transportation →Wheelchair vs. Stretcher Transportation at a Glance
| Consideration | Wheelchair Transportation | Stretcher Transportation |
|---|---|---|
| Travel position | Passenger travels seated in a compatible wheelchair. | Passenger travels lying down on a stretcher. |
| Typical passenger need | Cannot easily use an ordinary vehicle but can generally tolerate an upright seated position. | Cannot safely tolerate seated transportation and may need a lying-down position. |
| Emergency treatment | Not provided. | Not provided. |
| Advance review | Required. | Required, generally with additional passenger, transfer, and access details. |
| Common requests | Medical appointments, dialysis, rehabilitation, hospital visits, senior transportation, and eligible discharges. | Eligible hospital discharge, facility-to-facility transportation, rehabilitation, follow-up care, and qualifying medical appointments. |
| Access concerns | Wheelchair dimensions, ramps, steps, elevators, doorway width, and loading access. | Room location, hallways, turns, elevators, stairs, doorway widths, transfers, and loading access. |
| Pricing | Based on route, passenger needs, equipment, assistance, and access. | Based on route, passenger needs, equipment, access, assistance, and trip complexity. |
This comparison is general information rather than a medical decision. A treating healthcare professional should help determine whether the passenger requires ambulance-level care or another medically appropriate transportation arrangement.
Which Transportation Service May Be Appropriate?
Wheelchair Transportation May Be Considered When:
- The passenger can safely remain seated for the expected trip.
- The passenger travels in a compatible manual or powered wheelchair.
- Emergency treatment is not required.
- Continuous clinical monitoring is not required.
- Pickup and destination access can accommodate the wheelchair and vehicle.
- Mobility, equipment, weight, stairs, and access information has been disclosed.
Stretcher Transportation May Be Considered When:
- A qualifying medically stable passenger cannot safely tolerate seated travel.
- The passenger needs to travel lying down.
- Emergency ambulance treatment is not required.
- Continuous clinical monitoring is not required.
- The pickup and destination can accommodate stretcher access.
- Passenger, transfer, equipment, and property details have been reviewed.
Using a wheelchair in daily life does not automatically determine the transportation type. A wheelchair user who can safely remain seated may use wheelchair transportation. A passenger who cannot tolerate seated travel may need a different arrangement.
Similarly, being in a hospital bed does not automatically mean that stretcher transportation is required. The passenger’s current condition and appropriate travel position should be established before transportation is arranged.
Is Stretcher Transportation the Same as an Ambulance?
No. Scheduled non-emergency stretcher transportation is not the same as emergency ambulance transportation.
Palmer’s stretcher service does not provide emergency response, emergency diagnosis, active medical treatment, or continuous ambulance-level medical monitoring during transportation.
Call 911 When the Passenger:
- Has severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
- May require treatment during transportation
- Is medically unstable
- Requires continuous clinical monitoring
- Has severe breathing difficulty
- Has possible stroke or heart-attack symptoms
- Is unconscious or difficult to awaken
- Has uncontrolled bleeding or another life-threatening condition
When there is uncertainty, contact the treating healthcare team or emergency services rather than selecting transportation based only on convenience or price.
Which Service Is Used for Hospital Discharge?
Both wheelchair and stretcher transportation may be requested for an eligible hospital discharge. The appropriate option depends on the passenger’s travel position, mobility, medical needs, equipment, receiving destination, and access conditions.
Wheelchair Hospital Discharge
- The passenger has been released for non-emergency transportation.
- The passenger can safely remain seated.
- The passenger can travel in a compatible wheelchair.
- Ambulance-level care is not required.
- The receiving destination has suitable access.
Stretcher Hospital Discharge
- The passenger has been released for non-emergency transportation.
- The passenger cannot safely tolerate seated travel.
- Lying-down transportation is required.
- Continuous clinical monitoring is not required.
- Pickup and destination access can accommodate the stretcher trip.
Palmer’s hospital transportation service can review hospital-to-home, hospital-to-rehabilitation, hospital-to-nursing facility, and other eligible discharge requests.
A hospital’s expected discharge time can change. Provide the best available discharge window and update Palmer when the passenger is released and ready for transportation.
What Property and Facility Access Details Matter?
The vehicle type is only one part of the transportation plan. Palmer also needs to understand the route between the passenger’s location and the vehicle.
Wheelchair Transportation Access Details
- Exact number of exterior and interior steps
- Ramp availability and condition
- Elevator availability and approximate size
- Wheelchair type and dimensions
- Passenger and equipment weight when requested
- Passenger’s ability to transfer
- Doorway and hallway width
- Secured building or gated entrance instructions
- Loading-zone or parking restrictions
- Distance between the entrance and vehicle
Stretcher Transportation Access Details
- Passenger’s room, unit, floor, or apartment number
- Exterior and interior stairs
- Elevator dimensions and availability
- Doorway widths and narrow hallway turns
- Building entrance and loading location
- Passenger height and weight when requested
- Positioning or movement limitations
- Transfer assistance requirements
- Equipment traveling with the passenger
- Receiving person or facility contact
Do not estimate or omit difficult property conditions. Incomplete information about stairs, elevators, doorways, or passenger needs may delay the trip or make the original transportation plan unsuitable.
Palmer also provides stair assistance transportation for eligible requests that can be accommodated after advance review.
What Equipment Must Be Disclosed Before the Trip?
Tell Palmer about all mobility and medical equipment involved before the transportation request is confirmed.
- Manual wheelchair
- Powered wheelchair or mobility device
- Portable oxygen
- Catheters, drains, or collection bags
- Braces and positioning devices
- Walkers, canes, and other mobility aids
- Passenger luggage or personal items
- Transfer devices
- Other equipment attached to or required by the passenger
Disclosing equipment does not guarantee that every item or transportation request can be accommodated. Palmer must review the equipment, passenger needs, management responsibility, vehicle capacity, and whether non-emergency transportation is appropriate.
Can a Family Member or Caregiver Travel?
A companion may be permitted when vehicle seating, passenger needs, and trip arrangements allow. Include the companion when submitting the original request.
Mention whether the companion has mobility needs, whether a responsible adult is required by a facility, and whether additional equipment or luggage will travel with the passenger.
How Much Do Wheelchair and Stretcher Transportation Cost?
There is no universal price for wheelchair or stretcher transportation. Palmer provides a trip-specific private-pay quote after reviewing the complete request.
Factors That May Affect Pricing
- Requested transportation type
- Pickup and destination distance
- Passenger mobility and assistance requirements
- Stairs, elevators, and building access
- Passenger dimensions and equipment
- One-way or round-trip transportation
- Waiting time and appointment delays
- Hospital discharge timing
- Long-distance routing
- Companion or additional seating requirements
- Requested date, time, and vehicle availability
Palmer Medical Transport provides private-pay transportation. Do not assume that Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or another benefit program will reimburse the trip.
Verify any possible reimbursement directly with the applicable insurer or benefit administrator before transportation is booked.
How Far in Advance Should the Ride Be Booked?
Submit the transportation request as early as possible. Advance notice is especially important for:
- Stretcher transportation
- Wheelchair transportation involving stairs
- Hospital discharge transportation
- Long-distance medical trips
- Recurring medical appointments
- Dialysis transportation
- Early-morning or after-hours appointments
- Trips involving several facilities
- Passengers with complex equipment or access needs
Same-day requests may be reviewed, but same-day transportation cannot be guaranteed.
For eligible longer trips, review Palmer’s long-distance medical transportation service .
What Information Should You Provide When Booking?
Complete information helps Palmer evaluate the service, vehicle, schedule, route, and access requirements.
- Passenger’s full name
- Authorized contact person and working phone number
- Complete pickup address
- Complete destination address
- Hospital, facility, department, unit, or entrance
- Appointment, discharge, or ready time
- One-way or round-trip request
- Passenger’s current mobility level
- Passenger’s ability to remain seated
- Wheelchair type and approximate dimensions
- Reason lying-down transportation may be needed
- Passenger height and weight when requested
- Steps, ramps, elevator, and doorway information
- Oxygen, mobility, and medical equipment information
- Companion details
- Receiving person or facility contact
- Return-trip or call-when-ready arrangement
How the Palmer Booking Process Works
Submit the Request
Provide passenger, mobility, access, destination, appointment, equipment, and companion details.
Palmer Reviews the Trip
The team reviews the requested service, route, vehicle, schedule, passenger needs, and access conditions.
Receive Confirmation
The trip is confirmed only after Palmer directly confirms service availability, timing, and private-pay pricing.
Begin through Palmer’s online reservation form or call 202-999-4270 .
Submitting the form does not automatically confirm the transportation request.
Medical Transportation Services Across Maryland
Palmer Medical Transport reviews local, regional, recurring, hospital-related, and eligible longer-distance transportation requests throughout Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about choosing wheelchair or non-emergency stretcher transportation in Maryland.
What is the main difference between wheelchair and stretcher transportation?
Wheelchair transportation is generally intended for a medically stable passenger who can safely travel seated in a compatible wheelchair. Stretcher transportation may be considered when a medically stable passenger cannot safely tolerate seated transportation and needs to travel lying down.
Is non-emergency stretcher transportation the same as an ambulance?
No. Non-emergency stretcher transportation does not provide emergency response, emergency treatment, or continuous ambulance-level medical monitoring.
Can stretcher transportation be used after hospital discharge?
A qualifying stretcher discharge request may be reviewed after the passenger has been released for non-emergency transportation. Palmer must review the passenger, destination, access, equipment, and trip requirements before confirmation.
Can a wheelchair user travel to dialysis?
Yes. Eligible wheelchair transportation may be requested for dialysis appointments. Provide the wheelchair type, treatment schedule, access, appointment time, and return-trip arrangement.
Can a family member travel with the passenger?
A companion may be permitted when seating, passenger needs, and trip arrangements allow. Include the companion in the original reservation request.
Can Palmer assist a wheelchair passenger with stairs?
Stair assistance requests are reviewed individually. Provide the exact number and location of steps, landings, railings, passenger mobility, wheelchair type, and property conditions.
How do I know whether the passenger needs an ambulance?
Call 911 when the passenger has severe or life-threatening symptoms, is medically unstable, requires urgent treatment, or may need continuous medical monitoring. Consult the treating healthcare team when uncertain.
Does submitting the reservation form confirm the ride?
No. The form submits a request. The trip is confirmed only after Palmer reviews the details and directly confirms availability, timing, and private-pay pricing.
Does Palmer Medical Transport accept insurance?
Palmer Medical Transport provides private-pay transportation. Verify any possible reimbursement directly with the applicable insurer or benefit program.
Not Sure Which Transportation Service to Request?
Provide the passenger’s current mobility, travel position, equipment, access, pickup, destination, and appointment details. Palmer will review the transportation request before confirming service availability and private-pay pricing.
Submission does not automatically confirm transportation. For urgent or life-threatening conditions, call 911.