Lying-down transport

Stretcher transport in South Florida

For passengers who cannot sit up for the ride. A trained two-person crew, a comfortable secured stretcher, and true bed-to-bed care across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach.

Call 954.477.7340 Request a ride online

Scheduled service 7 days a week. Same day and short notice when availability allows.

5.0 Google rating
Licensed & insured
Broward, Miami-Dade & Palm Beach

ETA team member loading a stretcher into the rear of the medical transport van

What this service is

When sitting up is not an option, we carry the whole trip

Some passengers simply cannot ride in a seat. After certain surgeries, during a long recovery, or with limited mobility, the only safe way to travel is lying down. Most families discover this at the worst moment, when a hospital says their loved one is ready to leave but cannot go home in a car, and the only alternative anyone mentions is a very expensive ambulance.

This is the gap our stretcher service fills. A two-person crew, a proper stretcher secured in a climate-controlled vehicle, and a calm ride at a human pace. It is the level of care a rideshare cannot offer and an ambulance overcharges for.

Every stretcher trip includes

A trained two-person crew on every stretcher trip
True bed-to-bed service, from their bed to the destination bed
A secured, padded stretcher in a climate-controlled vehicle
Careful transfers, with doorways and turns planned ahead
A calm, unhurried pace. This is not an ambulance run
Family kept informed from pickup to arrival

Who it is for

Common reasons families call us for a stretcher

Passengers who cannot sit upright for the length of the ride
Post-surgery recoveries with strict lying-down orders
Long-term bed rest and limited mobility at home
Transfers between hospitals, rehab, and skilled nursing
Imaging, wound care, and specialist visits that require arriving flat
Comfortable rides home after a long inpatient stay

Not sure whether you need a stretcher, a wheelchair van, or an ambulance? We wrote an honest guide: NEMT vs ambulance, which do you need.

“Essential Transport Assistance has become my go-to for medical transport. I've used them for everything from post-surgery trips, physical therapy and to regular check-ups, including wheelchair and stretcher service, and they never disappoint. They are incredibly reliable, safety-conscious, and efficient. You can tell they have a high standard for how they treat their passengers; the staff is always professional and attentive. If you need reliable, quality transportation, I highly recommend giving them a call.”

Jay Rothberg · Google reviewSee all our Google reviews

How it works

Bed to bed, step by step

Tell dispatch about the passenger

Their condition, where they are, where they are going, and anything we should plan for, like oxygen, narrow hallways, or stairs. You get a clear quote up front.

The crew comes to the bedside

Two trained team members transfer the passenger to our stretcher, secure them comfortably, and handle every doorway and elevator on the way to the vehicle.

Settled in at the destination

We do not stop at the entrance. The crew brings the passenger to the room and into the destination bed, and makes sure they are settled before we leave.

Good to know

Common questions

What is the difference between stretcher transport and an ambulance?

An ambulance is for emergencies and active medical care during the ride. Our stretcher service is for stable passengers who simply cannot sit up for the trip. It is scheduled, calm, and far more affordable than an ambulance bill. If you are unsure which one you need, call us and we will tell you honestly.

What does bed to bed actually mean?

Exactly what it says. Our crew transfers the passenger from the bed they are in to our stretcher, and at the destination they bring them to the room and transfer them into that bed. No handoffs at a lobby or curb.

Can a family member ride along on a stretcher trip?

In most cases yes, one companion can ride along. Let dispatch know when you book so we plan the seating.

My loved one uses oxygen. Is that a problem?

Tell dispatch when you book. Passengers who travel with their own portable oxygen do so regularly. We plan the securement and the transfer around it.

How much does stretcher transport cost?

Each trip is quoted individually based on distance and whether it is one way or round trip. You get the full price on the phone before booking, and it is a fraction of what a non-emergency ambulance trip bills. Private pay, with facility billing available.

Do you do long-distance stretcher trips?

Yes, we arrange scheduled long-distance trips beyond the tri-county area, across Florida and the Southeast. Call with the details and we will quote it.

More answers on our full FAQ page, or call us at 954.477.7340.

Stretcher transport across the tri-county area

We cover all of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, including these communities. Every city page lists the hospitals and medical facilities we serve there.