Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about riding with Handi-Lift? Below are answers to common questions about scheduling, passenger assistance, and transportation arrangements.
Need more help? Call (715) 822-5077. Our dispatch office is open Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
How do I schedule transportation?
Call dispatch at (715) 822-5077 or select Request a Quote to submit your trip details online.
Please provide the passenger's name, contact information, pickup and destination addresses, appointment date and time, mobility needs, and whether return transportation is required.
A ride is reserved only after dispatch confirms the arrangements.
Please provide the passenger's name, contact information, pickup and destination addresses, appointment date and time, mobility needs, and whether return transportation is required.
A ride is reserved only after dispatch confirms the arrangements.
How far in advance should I request a ride?
Please submit online requests at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment time.
For requests with less notice, call dispatch directly to check availability. Short-notice transportation cannot be guaranteed.
Requests received outside office hours, on weekends, or on holidays are reviewed on the next business day. Please allow additional notice for appointments following a weekend or holiday.
For requests with less notice, call dispatch directly to check availability. Short-notice transportation cannot be guaranteed.
Requests received outside office hours, on weekends, or on holidays are reviewed on the next business day. Please allow additional notice for appointments following a weekend or holiday.
Can a caregiver or family member ride along?
Please let dispatch know when scheduling if a caregiver or family member needs to accompany you. We will confirm seating availability and any applicable payment or program requirements.
Do you transport manual and power wheelchairs?
Yes. Our rear-entry wheelchair-accessible minivans accommodate manual and power wheelchairs.
Please provide relevant wheelchair dimensions and accessibility needs when scheduling so dispatch can confirm an appropriate vehicle.
Please provide relevant wheelchair dimensions and accessibility needs when scheduling so dispatch can confirm an appropriate vehicle.
Can I bring my walker or cane?
Yes. Drivers can assist with loading and unloading walkers and other equipment.
Can I bring oxygen?
Yes. Passengers must bring their own prescribed oxygen supply and arrange any assistance needed to use it. Handi-Lift does not supply oxygen or provide medical monitoring or oxygen administration.
Do drivers lift passengers or help with physical transfers?
No. Drivers do not manually lift passengers or perform physical transfers between beds, chairs, and wheelchairs.
Drivers assist with boarding, exiting, ramp access, and wheelchair securement. Any required physical transfer assistance must be arranged with a caregiver or facility staff at the pickup and destination locations.
Drivers assist with boarding, exiting, ramp access, and wheelchair securement. Any required physical transfer assistance must be arranged with a caregiver or facility staff at the pickup and destination locations.
What do I need to do before pickup in snowy or icy weather?
Please have your driveway plowed and ramps, sidewalks, and walkways shoveled wide enough for a wheelchair and driver. Icy surfaces must be treated for traction.
Drivers will not enter inadequately cleared driveways or push wheelchairs through snow or across unsafe, icy surfaces. Drivers do not shovel or remove ice.
If safe access cannot be provided, call (715) 822-5077 as soon as possible. Dispatch will discuss whether a safe alternative is available; transportation may be delayed or canceled.
Drivers will not enter inadequately cleared driveways or push wheelchairs through snow or across unsafe, icy surfaces. Drivers do not shovel or remove ice.
If safe access cannot be provided, call (715) 822-5077 as soon as possible. Dispatch will discuss whether a safe alternative is available; transportation may be delayed or canceled.
Will the driver help me inside the appointment location?
When needed, drivers can escort passengers to the registration or check-in area. Please discuss assistance needs with dispatch when scheduling.
Drivers do not remain with passengers throughout their appointments or provide personal or medical care.
Drivers do not remain with passengers throughout their appointments or provide personal or medical care.
What if my appointment runs late or finishes early?
Call dispatch at (715) 822-5077 as soon as you know your return pickup needs have changed.
Our team will coordinate an updated pickup based on available drivers and existing routes. Immediate pickup when an appointment ends cannot be guaranteed.
Our team will coordinate an updated pickup based on available drivers and existing routes. Immediate pickup when an appointment ends cannot be guaranteed.
Will my driver wait during my appointment?
Drivers may serve other passengers while you attend your appointment. Please arrange return transportation when booking and discuss any specific waiting needs with dispatch.
How do I arrange transportation through Medicaid or another broker?
Contact the transportation broker or program responsible for your benefits to arrange your trip and obtain any required authorization.
You may ask whether Handi-Lift can be assigned, but provider selection depends on the program's procedures and availability.
Submitting a quote request through our website does not establish coverage, authorization, or a reservation.
You may ask whether Handi-Lift can be assigned, but provider selection depends on the program's procedures and availability.
Submitting a quote request through our website does not establish coverage, authorization, or a reservation.
Can I pay for transportation myself?
Yes. Private-pay transportation is available.
Dispatch will provide a quote and explain applicable charges. Payment is required before pickup or at pickup, before transportation begins. We accept credit cards, checks, and cash.
Dispatch will provide a quote and explain applicable charges. Payment is required before pickup or at pickup, before transportation begins. We accept credit cards, checks, and cash.
What if I need to cancel?
Call dispatch as soon as you know the ride is no longer needed.
A $40 fee applies to cancellations made 2 hours or less before the scheduled pickup time, cancellations at pickup, and no-shows. Cancellations made more than 2 hours before pickup are not subject to this fee.
For facility-arranged or broker-authorized rides, charges and billing responsibility are governed by the applicable agreement or program rules.
A $40 fee applies to cancellations made 2 hours or less before the scheduled pickup time, cancellations at pickup, and no-shows. Cancellations made more than 2 hours before pickup are not subject to this fee.
For facility-arranged or broker-authorized rides, charges and billing responsibility are governed by the applicable agreement or program rules.
Can my service animal accompany me?
Yes. Service animals trained to perform work or tasks for a person with a disability may accompany their handler.
We do not require service-animal registration or certification papers. When the animal's role is not apparent, staff may ask whether it is a service animal and what work or tasks it has been trained to perform.
The handler is responsible for the animal's care and control during the trip. You are welcome to discuss transportation needs with dispatch when scheduling.
We do not require service-animal registration or certification papers. When the animal's role is not apparent, staff may ask whether it is a service animal and what work or tasks it has been trained to perform.
The handler is responsible for the animal's care and control during the trip. You are welcome to discuss transportation needs with dispatch when scheduling.
Do you offer transportation beyond medical appointments?
Yes. We also provide transportation for errands, shopping, family visits, recreational outings, funerals, community events, and airport trips, subject to availability.
Coverage through a broker or other program depends on that program's rules.
Coverage through a broker or other program depends on that program's rules.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Barron, Burnett, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Polk, Sawyer, St. Croix, and Washburn counties.
Regional and long-distance transportation may also be arranged with advance notice, subject to availability.
Regional and long-distance transportation may also be arranged with advance notice, subject to availability.
Do you provide emergency transportation?
No. Handi-Lift provides scheduled non-emergency transportation and does not provide ambulance services or emergency medical care.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
Who should I contact with questions or concerns?
Phone: (715) 822-5077
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
For same-day changes, delays, or cancellations during office hours, please call rather than email.
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
For same-day changes, delays, or cancellations during office hours, please call rather than email.
Have Additional Questions?
Our Barron dispatch team is available Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM to answer questions and assist with trip planning.
☎ Call Dispatch: (715) 822-5077