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Call Call Dispatch at (713) 791-9000 — Preferred EMSRequest

Non-Emergency Ambulance Service

Non-emergency ambulance service in Houston

Non-emergency ambulance service in Houston and surrounding areas for healthcare facilities, patients and families. Your care team may request BLS, ALS or MICU for a scheduled trip, and Dispatch confirms the service with you.

Request a transport

or call Dispatch (713) 791-9000

Next: date, time and your phone number. Dispatch calls to confirm. No medical details needed.

For a medical emergency, call 911.

Serving Greater Houston since 2004. Since 2004
Dispatch answered 24/7. Dispatch 24/7
Over 40 EMTs and paramedics. 40+ EMTs and paramedics
Texas EMS license 1000961. Texas EMS license 1000961
Illustrative blue-gloved hands securing an empty ambulance stretcher
Dispatch open now · 24/7

Service overview

What is non-emergency ambulance service?

"Non-emergency" ambulance service means an ambulance trip requested in advance rather than dispatched through 911. It is an ambulance trip with an EMT or paramedic crew, not a passenger or rideshare trip.

Preferred EMS provides BLS, ALS, and MICU ambulance service. The referring healthcare team or other appropriate requester may identify a service level, and dispatch confirms the request. This website does not make a clinical determination.

Common requests

When non-emergency ambulance transport may be requested

The following are general examples of situations where non-emergency ambulance transportation may be requested or arranged.

Hospital discharge transportation

Transporting patients from a hospital to a home, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation center, or other destination when ambulance transportation has been arranged at discharge.

Interfacility transfers

Moving patients between hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare facilities when ambulance transportation has been arranged by the referring team.

Transportation to or from skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities

Transporting patients to or from SNFs, long-term care facilities, and rehabilitation centers when ambulance transportation has been requested or arranged by the appropriate coordinating party.

Transportation for scheduled healthcare appointments or specialized care

Transporting patients to or from scheduled medical appointments, specialty care, or treatment when ambulance transportation has been arranged with Preferred EMS dispatch.

Long-distance medical transportation

Extended-range ambulance transportation for patients traveling beyond the Greater Houston area when non-emergency ambulance transport has been arranged.

For healthcare teams

Non-emergency transport for healthcare facilities

Preferred EMS provides non-emergency ambulance transportation for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare providers across Greater Houston. Dispatch is available 24/7 for requests from case managers, discharge planners, nursing staff, and care teams.

Facility teams can request BLS, ALS, or MICU service for a scheduled ambulance trip. Dispatch confirms the origin, destination, timing, and the level (BLS, ALS or MICU).

For healthcare facilities

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is non-emergency ambulance service?

Non-emergency ambulance service is an ambulance trip scheduled in advance rather than dispatched through 911. Patients may still need BLS, ALS or MICU support during the trip. It is not a passenger or rideshare trip.

What is the difference between non-emergency ambulance transport and 911?

Non-emergency ambulance transportation is scheduled in advance for planned or scheduled transport needs. It is not a substitute for 911. If you or someone else is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. Preferred EMS transport requests submitted through this website or by calling our dispatch line are for non-emergency transportation only.

Can non-emergency ambulance transportation include BLS, ALS, or MICU?

Yes. Preferred EMS provides Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), or Mobile Intensive Care (MICU) transportation for non-emergency transport requests. The patient's doctor or nurse chooses the level. Not sure? Dispatch will help.

Can hospitals and healthcare facilities request transportation?

Yes. Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, case managers, discharge planners, and other healthcare providers can contact Preferred EMS dispatch to arrange non-emergency ambulance transportation. Our dispatch team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit our Healthcare Facilities page for more information.

Is Preferred EMS dispatch available 24/7?

Our dispatch team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to arrange non-emergency ambulance transportation throughout Greater Houston. Contact our dispatch team at (713) 791-9000 to discuss your transport needs and scheduling.

How do I request non-emergency ambulance transportation?

You can request non-emergency ambulance transportation by calling our dispatch team at (713) 791-9000 or by submitting a transport request through our online form. Our dispatch team is available 24 hours a day to discuss the origin, destination, requested level of care, and scheduling needs. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately — do not use this website or our dispatch line for emergency situations.