Non-Emergency Ambulance Transportation
Non-Emergency Ambulance Transportation in Houston
Preferred EMS provides non-emergency ambulance transportation for healthcare facilities, patients, and families across Greater Houston. BLS, ALS, or MICU may be requested for a scheduled ambulance trip.
Service overview
What Is Non-Emergency Ambulance Transportation?
"Non-emergency" ambulance transportation describes an ambulance trip requested in advance rather than dispatched through 911. It is distinct from generic passenger, rideshare, or wheelchair transportation.
Preferred EMS provides requested BLS, ALS, and MICU ambulance transportation. The referring healthcare team or other appropriate requester may identify a service level, and dispatch confirms the request through the appropriate operational process. This website does not make a clinical determination.
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. This public website does not determine whether ambulance transportation or a particular service level is appropriate for an individual transport.
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 coordinated 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 coordinated 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 and coordinated.
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 requested service level through the appropriate operational process.
Healthcare Facility TransportQuestions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is non-emergency ambulance transportation?
Non-emergency ambulance transportation refers to ambulance transportation that is coordinated in advance rather than dispatched in response to a 911 emergency call. Patients who require non-emergency ambulance transportation may still need an appropriate level of medical support during transit. This public website does not determine which service level is appropriate for an individual transport.
What is the difference between non-emergency ambulance transport and 911?
Non-emergency ambulance transportation is coordinated 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 coordinated, non-emergency transportation only.
Can non-emergency ambulance transportation include BLS, ALS, or MICU?
Yes. Preferred EMS can coordinate Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), or Mobile Intensive Care (MICU) transportation for non-emergency transport requests. This public website does not determine which level is appropriate for an individual transport.
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 coordinate 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 coordinate 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.
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Need ambulance transportation?
Request transport online or call Preferred EMS dispatch, available 24/7.
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.