ReliaWheels Frequently Asked Questions

Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) provides safe, reliable rides to medical appointments for individuals who cannot drive themselves or use traditional transportation.

In Cleveland and Akron, you may qualify if you have:

• Medicaid coverage
• Medicare Advantage plans with transportation benefits
• Are elderly or disabled
• Use a wheelchair
• Have mobility challenges that prevent you from safely reaching doctor visits, dialysis treatments, physical therapy, or other healthcare appointments

ReliaWheels serves Cuyahoga County and surrounding areas with door-to-door service, ensuring you never miss critical medical care.

We recommend scheduling your ride at least 48-72 hours in advance to ensure availability and proper coordination with your healthcare provider.

For Medicaid rides, early scheduling is especially important as authorization may be required from your managed care plan. However, we understand that medical needs can arise unexpectedly, and we'll do our best to accommodate same-day or next-day requests when possible.

For recurring appointments like dialysis or chemotherapy, we can set up a standing transportation schedule to simplify the process. Call us at (440) 468-7060 to discuss your scheduling needs.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your ride, please contact ReliaWheels as soon as possible at (440) 468-7060.

We request at least 24 hours notice for cancellations to avoid potential fees and to make that time slot available for other patients who need transportation. For Medicaid rides, late cancellations or no-shows may be reported to your managed care plan.

We understand that medical situations can change unexpectedly, and we'll work with you to reschedule your transportation promptly. If your appointment time changes, let us know immediately so we can adjust your pickup accordingly.

Yes, Ohio Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members through managed care plans.

How to schedule:

1. Contact your health plan to verify your transportation benefits
2. Call ReliaWheels at (440) 468-7060 at least 48-72 hours before your appointment
3. Provide your Medicaid number, appointment details, pickup location, and any special accommodations like wheelchair accessibility

ReliaWheels works directly with Ohio Medicaid plans to handle authorization and billing, making the process seamless for you.

ReliaWheels offers competitive private-pay rates for Cleveland residents without insurance coverage, with pricing based on distance, vehicle type, and service level.

Typical Pricing:

• Standard sedan service: $35-75 for local appointments
• Wheelchair-accessible transport: Starting around $50-100 depending on your location

We provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees and can arrange recurring appointments at discounted rates for dialysis, chemotherapy, or physical therapy. Contact us at (440) 468-7060 for a personalized quote based on your specific transportation needs.

ReliaWheels operates a modern fleet including:

• Wheelchair-accessible vans with hydraulic lifts
• Stretcher-capable vehicles
• Standard sedans for ambulatory passengers

All our vehicles are:

• ADA-compliant
• Regularly inspected
• Equipped with safety features including GPS tracking and secure restraint systems

Whether you need bariatric transportation, gurney service, or standard door-to-door assistance, our professionally trained drivers ensure comfortable, dignified transport to your medical appointments throughout the Cleveland and Akron area.

Yes, our vehicles can safely accommodate passengers who require:

• Oxygen tanks
• Walkers
• Canes
• Portable medical equipment
• Other assistive devices

When scheduling your ride, please inform us about any medical equipment you'll need to bring so we can ensure the appropriate vehicle and that our driver is prepared to assist you. Our wheelchair-accessible vans have ample space for medical equipment, and our drivers are trained in safe handling and securement of oxygen tanks and other medical devices during transport.

Yes, ReliaWheels welcomes companions and caregivers to ride along at no additional charge for most trips.

We understand that having a family member, friend, or caregiver with you can provide comfort and assistance during medical appointments. When scheduling your ride, please let us know you'll have a companion so we can ensure adequate vehicle space.

For Medicaid-covered rides, companion policies may vary by managed care plan, so verify with your plan if you have questions about coverage.

Primary Service Area: ReliaWheels primarily serves Cleveland and all of Cuyahoga County, including:

• Lakewood
• Parma
• Cleveland Heights
• Euclid
• Strongsville

Extended Northeast Ohio Coverage:

• Summit County (Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow)
• Lorain County (Elyria, Lorain, Avon)
• Lake County (Mentor, Willoughby, Wickliffe)
• Geauga County

Long-Distance Transport: For long-distance needs—such as specialty care at Cleveland Clinic main campus, University Hospitals, or MetroHealth—or trips to facilities in Akron, Canton, or Columbus, we offer pre-scheduled medical transport services. Our drivers are experienced with multi-hour journeys and can coordinate with healthcare facilities to ensure timely arrivals.

ReliaWheels proudly serves Cleveland and the greater Northeast Ohio region.

Our primary service area includes:

• Cuyahoga County: Cleveland, Lakewood, Parma, Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Strongsville, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, and more
• Summit County: Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow
• Lorain County: Elyria, Lorain, Avon
• Lake County: Mentor, Willoughby, Wickliffe
• Geauga County

We also provide long-distance medical transportation to specialty facilities in Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Columbus, and Pittsburgh when arranged in advance.

If you're unsure whether we serve your area, please call us at (440) 468-7060.

Yes, ReliaWheels operates seven days a week, including weekends and most major holidays.

We recognize that medical needs don't follow a typical business schedule, and many healthcare facilities—including urgent care centers, dialysis clinics, and hospitals—operate on weekends and holidays. Our commitment is to provide reliable transportation whenever you need to reach medical care.

When scheduling weekend or holiday transportation, we recommend calling in advance to ensure availability and confirm any special holiday hours.

Yes, dialysis transportation is one of our core services.

We understand that dialysis patients require consistent, reliable transportation multiple times per week, and we specialize in meeting this critical need. ReliaWheels can establish recurring transportation schedules that align with your dialysis appointments, ensuring you never miss a treatment session.

Our drivers are familiar with the specific needs of dialysis patients, including post-treatment fatigue, and we serve all major dialysis centers throughout Cleveland, Akron, and Northeast Ohio. We work with Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans to coordinate coverage for dialysis transportation.

Yes, ReliaWheels specializes in hospital discharge transportation throughout Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

We coordinate with hospital staff to ensure safe, timely pickup after your procedure or inpatient stay. Our drivers are trained to assist patients who may be weak, medicated, or recovering from surgery, and we can accommodate:

• Wheelchair users
• Stretcher patients
• Those requiring oxygen or other medical equipment during transport

We serve all major Cleveland hospitals including:

• Cleveland Clinic
• University Hospitals
• MetroHealth
• St. Vincent Charity Medical Center

Contact us to arrange discharge transportation.

Absolutely. Every ReliaWheels driver undergoes:

• Comprehensive background checks
• Drug screening
• Verification of proper licensing and certifications

Our drivers receive specialized training in:

• Patient care
• Wheelchair securement
• Safe transfer assistance
• CPR/First Aid
• Defensive driving techniques

We maintain strict safety standards and regularly evaluate our drivers to ensure they provide the compassionate, professional service our clients deserve. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities on every trip.

Punctuality is a core value at ReliaWheels.

Our on-time guarantee includes:

• GPS tracking and optimized routing technology to monitor traffic conditions
• Dispatch team coordination based on your appointment schedule, distance, and typical traffic patterns
• Buffer time built into schedules
• Real-time driver communication with dispatch to adjust for any delays
• Immediate contact to you if unexpected delays occur

We minimize wait times while ensuring you arrive with adequate time to check in at your medical facility. We recommend scheduling pickups that account for check-in requirements at your healthcare provider.