Level 4 · Reinforced Care

For the patients other companies refuse.

Reinforced equipment rated to 750 lbs. Hydraulic-lift vehicles with wider interiors. Crews specifically trained in bariatric handling — and a dispatch desk that doesn't ask your weight to disqualify you. It asks so we send the right equipment.

750 lb CapacityReinforced stretcher & lifts

Two-Person CrewTrained in bariatric handling

Dignity-FirstNever an upcharge for size

HIPAA-AwareConfidential booking

Why This Service Exists

Bariatric patients shouldn't have to fight for medical transport.

You called three transport companies. The first asked your weight and then said "we're not equipped." The second quoted a price triple the standard rate. The third just didn't call back. Meanwhile, the cardiology appointment your doctor said was urgent is in two days. This is the everyday reality for bariatric patients in Houston — and exactly the gap we built Level 4 to fix.

What's Included

The equipment, the crew, and the attitude.

Stretchers & lifts rated to 750 lbs

Reinforced steel-frame stretchers, hydraulic patient lifts, and wider securement systems — engineered for capacities most NEMT companies don't carry.

Hydraulic lift-equipped vehicles

Hydraulic lift-gates with extra-wide platforms and reinforced floor anchors. The patient is lifted level into the vehicle — never carried, never tilted.

Bariatric-trained crews

Every Level 4 crew is specifically trained in bariatric transfer technique, dignified communication, and equipment positioning. No improvisation, ever.

Dignity-first communication

Crews are trained to never ask weight in public, never narrate transfers in front of bystanders, and never make assumptions. Respect isn't a bonus — it's the baseline.

Hospital & facility coordination

We coordinate with case managers, charge nurses, and discharge planners — confirm bariatric-specific equipment is ready on their end, time arrival to the bay.

Transparent, flat-rate pricing

No "bariatric surcharge" hidden in the invoice. The price you're quoted is the price you pay — period. Insurance verification before the ride, when applicable.

Who It's For

Bariatric transport is the right answer when…

Clients above 350 lbs

The standard cap on most NEMT equipment is 350 lbs. Above that threshold, Level 4 is the right call — not a polite extension of Level 3.

Post-bariatric surgery recovery

Gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and other bariatric surgery patients have specific positioning, padding, and handling requirements during recovery transport.

Hospital discharge home

The single hardest discharge scenario for hospital case managers — and the one where the wrong transport choice causes the most readmissions. We're built for it.

Patients turned away by others

If you've been refused service by another transport company because of weight, equipment, or "we can't accommodate that" — call us. The answer is almost always yes.

Inter-facility bariatric transfers

SNF to hospital for imaging, hospital to long-term acute care, LTAC to rehab, hospice transitions — the full range of inter-facility moves.

Specialty appointments

Cardiology, endocrinology, sleep medicine, wound care, dialysis — anywhere the patient needs to be, on schedule, with the right equipment and dignity.

A Real Client

"I'd given up on finding a company that would take me."

"At 480 lbs, I'd been told 'we can't' by four different companies in one week. My cardiologist's office finally gave me the Astra number. The dispatcher asked my weight to send the right vehicle — not to apologize for not being able to take me. The crew showed up on time, handled me with complete professionalism, and didn't make me feel like a burden once. They earned a customer for life that day."

Robert G. Bariatric client · Spring, TX

Honest Answers

The questions that get asked the most.

"What's the actual weight limit?"

Our reinforced stretchers and patient lifts are rated to 750 lbs. Above that, we'd recommend specialized critical-care transport with bariatric-specific ambulance services — and we'll point you to the right provider rather than pretend we can do it.

"Why do you ask my weight when I call?"

To send the right vehicle and crew — not to disqualify you. Below 350 lbs we can use standard equipment; above that we route a Level 4 unit with reinforced gear and a two-person team. Sharing your approximate weight upfront prevents the worst-case scenario: the wrong vehicle showing up.

"Is bariatric transport more expensive?"

Modestly, yes — the equipment and crew requirements are higher. But we don't apply punitive surcharges, and we always quote the full price upfront. Texas Medicaid and many Medicare Advantage plans cover bariatric NEMT when medically necessary; we'll verify your coverage before booking.

"Can I be transported in a wheelchair instead of a stretcher?"

Often, yes — if you can sit upright safely for the duration of the ride and your weight is within our wheelchair equipment's rated capacity. For larger clients, we have heavy-duty wheelchairs and securement systems specifically rated for bariatric use. Call dispatch with the details and we'll match the right setup.

"What about oxygen and other equipment?"

Our Level 4 vehicles are oxygen-capable and have space for portable concentrators, IV poles, suction equipment, and feeding pumps. If you arrive at the pickup point with a hospital-issued piece of equipment, we'll secure it for transport.

"Can family members ride along?"

Yes — one family member or caregiver is welcome to ride along at no additional charge. Helpful for paperwork, orientation, or simply comfort during what can otherwise be a stressful trip.

"What's the booking lead time?"

Same-day and next-day bookings are routine — especially for hospital discharges. For recurring schedules (dialysis, ongoing treatments), we lock in the slot once and you don't have to call again unless something changes. 24/7 dispatch means we're available when you need us.