Non-Emergency Medical Transportation in Altoona, FL
Safe, reliable rides for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Why Choose Us
Tucked along SR-19 at the southern edge of the Ocala National Forest, Altoona has no hospital, no urgent care, and no chain pharmacy inside its boundaries. Every medical trip means heading 15 to 30 miles south to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, DaVita Mt Dora Dialysis, or UF Health Leesburg Hospital — and that's a drive most riders can't make on their own. We provide professional, door-to-door non-emergency medical transportation for Altoona and Lake County residents, covering recurring dialysis, scheduled hospital visits, specialist care, and the everyday rides that keep rural life going.
Each ride starts at your doorstep, not at the curb. A driver greets you, walks you out, and gets you settled before pulling away. When you're done at your appointment, they're already there waiting. For a small forest community where neighbors look out for each other and family often lives an hour away in Orlando or Ocala, that kind of attentive, personal service is exactly what we'd want for our own loved ones.
On-Time, Every Time
We know medical appointments can't wait. Our providers prioritize punctuality so you never miss a treatment.
Trained, Compassionate Drivers
All drivers are trained in patient assistance, ADA compliance, and safe transport protocols.
Door-to-Door Service
From your front door to the facility entrance and back—we're with you every step of the way.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Know your cost upfront, no surprise fees. We'll give you a clear quote before you book.
Your Safety Is the Priority
Every vehicle is regularly inspected, fully insured, and equipped to meet your needs. You're in good hands from pickup to drop-off.
Available When You Need Us
Schedule rides in advance or call for same-day availability. We work around your schedule.
Testimonials
The wheelchair-accessible vehicle was ready when I was wheeled out. No waiting in the lobby, no confusion. They had everything coordinated perfectly with the discharge team.
– William E.
My brother has intellectual disabilities and needs rides to his day program five days a week. The drivers have been wonderful with him — patient, gentle, and always on time. It's transformed our routine.
– Walter F.
My husband's wheelchair weighs over 300 pounds with him in it. The driver didn't flinch — just deployed the ramp and guided him in like he'd done it a thousand times. Total professional.
– Eleanor A.
Ready to see what our riders are talking about?
Our Services
Wheelchair Transportation
Safe, secure transport with wheelchair ramps and tie-down systems. We accommodate manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and scooters.
Learn More on Wheelchair Rides
Stretcher Transportation
For patients who need to remain lying down during transport. Ideal for hospital discharges and facility transfers.
Learn More on Stretcher Rides
Assisted Walking Transportation
Door-to-door service for those who can walk with some assistance. We'll help you from your front door to the facility entrance and back.
Learn More on Assisted Walking RidesWhere We Can Take You
Hospital Visits & Discharge
From scheduled appointments at AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares to discharge pickups at UF Health Leesburg Hospital, we handle the long rural drive so you can focus on getting better.
Learn More on Hospital Rides
Dialysis Transportation
Three sessions a week, week after week — we get you safely to DaVita Mt Dora Dialysis and other treatment centers across south Lake County on a schedule that never wavers.
Learn More on Dialysis Rides
Doctor Appointments
Routine checkups, specialist consultations, lab work, follow-ups — we'll take you to any doctor's office serving Altoona residents and bring you home when the visit ends.
Learn More on Doctor Rides
Senior Center Transportation
Regular rides to the Lakeview Terrace community building, faith programs along SR-19, and senior activities in nearby Umatilla and Eustis, so your social calendar never depends on a family member's day off.
Learn More on Senior Rides
Outpatient Surgery Transportation
After a procedure at any local surgical center, we're the ride home you can trust — calm, gentle, and ready when the recovery nurse gives the green light.
Learn More on Outpatient Rides
Errands & Family Transportation
Trips to church on SR-19, the Publix and Walmart in Umatilla, family gatherings in Mount Dora, and anywhere else daily life takes you in and around the forest.
Learn More on Family RidesWherever you need to go, we'll get you there.
Transportation Throughout Altoona, FL and Beyond
We provide dependable transportation to hospitals, dialysis centers, retirement community programs, and everyday destinations throughout Altoona and Lake County. Because every medical facility, grocery store, and pharmacy sits at least ten miles down the road in Umatilla, Eustis, or Tavares, having a ride you can count on isn't a convenience — it's a necessity.
Healthcare Facilities We Serve
Our drivers know the roads that connect Altoona to the medical facilities serving northeastern Lake County, and they know how to get there safely.
- AdventHealth Waterman
- UF Health Leesburg Hospital
- Orlando Health South Lake Hospital Medical Pavilion
- DaVita Mt Dora Dialysis
- Lakeview Terrace Retirement Community
- Florida Health Lake County Umatilla Office
- UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care Center – Eustis/Mt. Dora
For complex specialty care, we also handle the longer trips to AdventHealth Orlando, Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center, and UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville.
Neighborhoods We Serve
We offer door-to-door pickup and drop-off across Altoona and the small communities tucked along the forest edge, including:
- Lakeview Terrace
- Lake Dorr Area
- Lake Mack
- Bear Lake
- Ocala National Forest Border
- SR-19 Corridor
Zip Codes Serviced
We serve transportation needs throughout Altoona and the broader northeastern Lake County area, covering these zip codes and the surrounding rural roads:
- 32702
- 32784
- 32767
- 32726
- 32778
Whether you live along SR-19 north of town, off SR-42, near CR-450, or out toward US-441 in Eustis, our drivers know these rural two-lane routes well. We plan around forest traffic, snowbird congestion in Mount Dora, and the longer distances that come with living at the southern edge of Ocala National Forest.
Serving Nearby Communities Including Umatilla, Paisley, Eustis, Mount Dora, Tavares, Leesburg, Sorrento, Lady Lake, Deland, Ocala & Beyond
Need a ride to AdventHealth Waterman or another Lake County medical facility?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a ride?
Just call 877-369-5457 or click the "Book a Ride" button at the top of our site. For trips that aren't urgent, a day or two of notice works best, though we can sometimes accommodate same-day requests when a vehicle is already heading your way.
Do you accept Medicaid, Medicare or other health insurance?
We take credit card or cash payment if you book directly with us. For payment using health plans or 3rd party-payers, you will need to contact these parties directly to secure authorization of the trips and many of them may require you to book directly through them.
How far in advance should I schedule?
Aim for 24 to 48 hours of lead time on routine appointments and a little extra for trips into Orlando or Gainesville. With AdventHealth Waterman about 20 miles south and DaVita Mt Dora Dialysis around 18 miles down SR-19, plus snowbird traffic on US-441 from November through April, building in buffer time keeps things smooth.
What if I need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle?
Mention it during booking and we'll match you with the right van. Our wheelchair-accessible vehicles come with ramps and tie-down systems that secure manual chairs, power chairs, and scooters, and the driver will have everything ready before you reach the door.
Can a family member or caregiver ride with me?
Yes — bringing along a family member or caregiver is welcome and almost always at no extra charge. Just flag it when you book so your driver can leave space and plan the route.
Questions? We're here to help!
What is NEMT?
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, often shortened to NEMT, is a specialized service that gets people to healthcare appointments when an ambulance isn't necessary but a regular rideshare won't cut it.
The riders who count on NEMT most are seniors who've given up driving, individuals with mobility limitations, and patients managing long-term conditions. Vehicles range from wheelchair-accessible vans with ramps and tie-downs, to stretcher transport for riders who must lie flat, to standard cars with drivers trained to walk you in.
Most NEMT trips are recurring appointments — dialysis several days a week, ongoing chemotherapy, physical therapy, repeated specialist visits. Others are one-time rides home after outpatient procedures or hospital stays. The aim never changes: removing the transportation hurdle so people stay on top of the care that keeps them well.
Powered by Modern Technology
Our transportation network runs on Duet, a trusted NEMT software platform. You get precise scheduling, real-time vehicle tracking, and clear driver communication from pickup to drop-off.
More Than a Ride
Booking a ride with us means handing over the well-being of someone irreplaceable — a parent, a partner, an old friend. We carry that responsibility seriously. Every step, from the first phone call to the final drop-off back at the front door, is built around making sure both the rider and the family at home rest easy.