Dialysis Transportation in Metro Detroit: A Guide for Patients, Families and Dialysis Centers
By CuraTransit Team — non-emergency medical transportation specialists in Metro Detroit
In-center dialysis usually means three treatments a week, every week, so reliable transportation is part of the treatment plan. Here's how to set up a standing dialysis ride schedule in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties, how rides are paid for, and how to make every trip home safer.
For people on in-center hemodialysis, getting to treatment isn't optional. Most patients go three times a week, for several hours each session, on a fixed schedule. Missing or shortening treatments can quickly lead to fluid buildup and dangerous changes in blood chemistry — which is why the ride to dialysis matters as much as the chair itself.
This guide walks patients, families and dialysis center staff in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties through setting up dialysis transportation you can count on.
The short answer
The most reliable way to get to dialysis in Metro Detroit is a standing (recurring) ride schedule that matches your chair time — for example, Monday/Wednesday/Friday with a 6:00 AM chair — booked with a door-to-door provider that knows dialysis patients. With CuraTransit dialysis transportation, rides are paid through a facility contract with your dialysis center or care community, private pay, or an approved Michigan auto no-fault or MACP claim when the kidney care is accident-related.
Your dialysis transportation options
| Option | Good for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Family or friends | Flexible, occasional trips | Hard to sustain three times a week, every week — especially for early chair times. |
| Public transit or paratransit | Ambulatory patients near routes | Long trips and waits can be exhausting after treatment, and winter weather adds risk. |
| Rideshare or taxi | Patients who walk and transfer independently | Drivers usually wait at the curb and are not trained to help a tired patient inside. |
| Private NEMT (e.g., CuraTransit) | Guaranteed times, door-to-door help, wheelchair users | Standing schedules; paid by facility contract, private pay, or an eligible no-fault/MACP claim. |
How dialysis rides are paid for with CuraTransit
- Facility contract. Dialysis centers, assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities can set up a facility account so resident and patient trips are scheduled and billed directly to the facility.
- Private pay. Families can pay directly for a standing three-times-a-week schedule. We quote the full weekly cost before the first ride — see our private-pay medical transportation guide.
- Auto no-fault or MACP. If dialysis or kidney care is related to a Michigan car accident, transportation may be covered under the claim after benefit verification. Learn how no-fault medical transportation works.
How to set up a recurring dialysis ride schedule
- Confirm your chair time and days with your dialysis center.
- Ask how long your treatments usually run so pickup can be scheduled for the end of your session.
- Call your transportation provider with:
- Your center's name and address
- Your treatment days and chair time
- Your home address and the best entrance (note any steps)
- Whether you walk, use a walker or travel in a wheelchair
- How rides will be paid (facility, private pay or claim)
- Ask for a standing schedule so you don't have to book every trip.
- Save the dispatch number in your phone and give it to the center's front desk.
Tips for safer, easier dialysis trips
- Be ready before your pickup window. Dialysis chairs are tightly scheduled; arriving late can shorten your treatment.
- Plan for how you'll feel after treatment. Many patients feel tired or lightheaded afterward. A driver who offers door-to-door assistance — not just curb-side drop-off — makes the trip home safer.
- Dress in layers. Treatment rooms can feel cold, and Michigan winters are hard on patients waiting outside.
- Prepare for winter weather. Keep walkways and ramps clear of snow and ice, and tell your provider about any changes at home.
- Tell your provider about schedule changes early, including holiday schedule shifts at your center.
- Keep a small bag ready with your ID, insurance card, medication list, a blanket and a snack your care team approves.
For dialysis social workers and center staff
Transportation problems are one of the most common reasons for missed treatments. CuraTransit works directly with dialysis centers across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties to keep patients on schedule — with standing orders, direct communication when sessions run long, wheelchair-accessible vans and facility contract pricing for recurring volume. Set up a facility partnership.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the same driver for every dialysis ride?
We assign consistent drivers whenever possible for recurring dialysis schedules. Familiar faces make the routine easier for many patients.
What if my session runs late?
Have the center call us, or call us yourself. We adjust the pickup so you're not left waiting — or rushed out of your chair.
Do you provide dialysis transportation for wheelchair users?
Yes. Wheelchair users ride in accessible vans with ramps or lifts and securement systems, and ambulatory patients get door-to-door assistance. Learn more about wheelchair transportation.
How are dialysis rides paid for?
CuraTransit dialysis rides are paid through a facility contract, private pay, or an approved Michigan auto no-fault or MACP claim when the treatment is accident-related. Call 248-320-9092 for a quote on a weekly schedule.
Which areas do you serve for dialysis rides?
We serve dialysis centers across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties, including Detroit, Southfield, Dearborn, Livonia, Troy, Warren, Sterling Heights and Clinton Township. See all service areas.
How do I start?
Call 248-320-9092 or request a ride online and mention that you need a recurring dialysis schedule.
- dialysis transportation
- dialysis rides Detroit
- NEMT Metro Detroit
- recurring rides
- facility contract
Ready to Book a Ride?
CuraTransit is here for all your medical transportation needs across Metro Detroit.