How Can I Get From West Pittston to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Without Driving?

Where is Wilkes-Barre General Hospital?

The hospital’s official address is:

Wilkes-Barre General Hospital
575 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18764
Main number: (570) 829-8111

Wilkes-Barre General Hospital is a large community hospital serving Northeastern Pennsylvania. Its services include heart and vascular care, orthopedics, neurosurgery, surgery, diagnostic testing and advanced endoscopy, among other specialties. The hospital’s official location page should be used to confirm current hospital information.

Do not assume that entering the main hospital address is enough for every trip. A scheduled test, procedure, clinic visit or discharge may have its own arrival or pickup instructions. Ask the scheduling department which entrance, registration area or unit the passenger should use before arranging the ride.

Which entrance should the driver use?

The correct entrance depends on the reason for the visit. For pre-scheduled admissions and outpatient testing, the hospital says patients check in at Patient Registration on the first floor, off Parkade Level P-6. The hospital also says free parking is available for outpatient procedures when the ticket is validated at Patient Registration. These details can change, so verify them when the appointment is scheduled. See the hospital’s current registration and scheduling guidance.

Before the trip, ask the hospital or medical office:

1. Is the appointment at the main hospital at 575 North River Street?
2. Which department, floor or registration area should the patient use?
3. Which entrance is most accessible for the passenger’s mobility level?
4. How early should the patient arrive?
5. Is a caregiver or responsible adult required?
6. For a discharge, where should the transportation provider meet the patient?

Give those instructions to the transportation dispatcher. Accurate destination details reduce unnecessary walking, missed check-in times and delays caused by arriving at the wrong part of the campus.

Transportation options from West Pittston

There is no single option that works for every patient. The right choice depends on accessibility, schedule flexibility, eligibility and the level of help required.

Family transportation

A relative, friend or neighbor may be the simplest solution for a passenger who can safely enter and exit a standard vehicle. The driver must be dependable, able to remain available for the return trip and physically capable of providing any agreed assistance.

Do not ask an untrained person to lift a passenger, manually carry a wheelchair user or perform a transfer that could injure either person. If the passenger cannot safely use the available vehicle, choose a service with suitable equipment.

LCTA MATP

Luzerne County Transportation Authority operates the local Medical Assistance Transportation Program. According to LCTA, a passenger may qualify when the person:

• Has an active Medical Assistance card
• Is a permanent or temporary Luzerne County resident
• Needs transportation to a Medical Assistance-covered service
• Is traveling to a provider who accepts Medicaid

LCTA says approved MATP trips have no passenger cost. It may arrange paratransit, an accessible vehicle, fixed-route transportation or mileage reimbursement, using the least costly appropriate mode that meets the passenger’s needs.

Registration is required. LCTA currently directs applicants to call 570-288-8420. Its published scheduling rule is no later than noon one business day before a local trip; out-of-county trips may require two weeks. Check the current LCTA MATP requirements because eligibility and scheduling rules can change.

MATP is not an emergency service. It is also separate from booking a private ride directly with Touch of Kindness Transportation. Do not assume that a private transportation charge will be reimbursed unless the responsible program or insurer confirms it in advance.

Private non-emergency medical transportation

Private NEMT may be useful when the passenger needs a specific pickup time, accessible equipment, assistance at the vehicle or coordination with a caregiver or medical facility. The provider should match the vehicle to the passenger’s actual mobility and positioning needs.

Private transportation can be appropriate for:

• Routine and specialist appointments
• Imaging, laboratory testing and follow-up visits
• Scheduled outpatient procedures
• Recurring treatment appointments
• Medically stable hospital discharges
• Transfers to rehabilitation, assisted living or a nursing facility
• Passengers who use wheelchairs, walkers or other mobility equipment
• Medically stable passengers who must travel lying down

Learn more about non-emergency medical transportation before choosing a ride type.

What type of medical vehicle does the passenger need?

The key questions are whether the passenger can walk, transfer into a vehicle, remain seated during the trip and travel safely without clinical monitoring.

Ambulatory transportation

Ambulatory transportation may be appropriate for a medically stable person who can walk independently or with limited assistance. The passenger may use a cane or walker but should be able to travel safely in the assigned vehicle.

Tell the dispatcher if the passenger:

• Uses a cane, walker or portable oxygen equipment
• Needs a steady arm for balance
• Has difficulty with steps
• Cannot walk long distances
• Needs to avoid a lengthy walk from a parking area
• Is temporarily weak after illness or treatment

The transportation company should explain the assistance it can provide. “Door-to-door” does not automatically mean lifting the passenger, entering a private residence, providing bedside care or performing a medical transfer.

Wheelchair-accessible transportation

Wheelchair transportation is for a passenger who will remain in a wheelchair and needs a vehicle equipped with a ramp or lift and a suitable securement system.

When scheduling, identify:

• Manual wheelchair, power wheelchair or mobility scooter
• Chair width and length when requested
• Approximate combined weight of the passenger and mobility device when requested
• Whether the passenger can transfer out of the chair
• Whether the chair has unusual attachments or positioning supports
• Steps, narrow doors, steep slopes or other barriers at the pickup location
• Whether a caregiver will accompany the passenger

This information helps the provider confirm that the assigned vehicle and boarding equipment are suitable.

Non-emergency stretcher transportation

Non-emergency stretcher transportation may be appropriate for a medically stable passenger who cannot remain seated upright and must travel lying down or reclined.

Stretcher transportation is not the same as an ambulance. A non-emergency stretcher vehicle does not provide paramedic treatment or emergency monitoring. The hospital or treating professional should determine whether the passenger is medically stable and whether NEMT is an appropriate level of transportation.

If the passenger needs medication administration, active oxygen management, continuous clinical observation or another form of medical care during the trip, ask the healthcare team whether an ambulance or another medically staffed service is required.

How to schedule the trip

Booking is easier when the dispatcher receives complete information during the first call.

1. Confirm the appointment

Get the date, appointment time, requested arrival time and complete destination instructions from the hospital or medical office. Confirm that the visit is at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital rather than a separate Commonwealth Health office or outpatient location.

2. Describe the passenger’s mobility honestly

Explain whether the person walks independently, uses a cane or walker, remains in a wheelchair or must travel on a stretcher. Mention stairs, transfer limitations, recent changes in strength and any instructions about positioning.

3. Provide both addresses

Give the exact West Pittston pickup address and the specific hospital destination. Include apartment or unit information, a safe entrance and access details. For the hospital, give the department, floor, registration point or pickup unit whenever available.

4. Plan the return trip

Ask whether the appointment has a predictable end time. A routine office visit may permit a scheduled return, while testing, a procedure or a hospital discharge may require a will-call or coordinated pickup. Confirm what the transportation provider offers and how much notice is needed when the patient is ready.

5. Confirm the fare and cancellation terms

For a private-pay ride, request the price or quote basis before booking. Ask what the fare includes, whether waiting time or a companion affects the charge, and what happens if the appointment changes or runs late.

6. Save the transportation contact information

The passenger or caregiver should have the provider’s phone number. If the passenger may have difficulty communicating after an appointment, designate a family member or facility contact when permitted.

Information to give the dispatcher

Prepare this checklist before calling:

• Passenger’s name and callback number
• Exact pickup address in West Pittston
• Appointment date and required arrival time
• Wilkes-Barre General Hospital department and entrance instructions
• One-way or round-trip request
• Expected appointment duration, if known
• Walking ability and transfer ability
• Wheelchair, scooter, walker or other mobility equipment
• Whether the passenger must remain seated or lie down
• Steps, narrow doors, elevator problems or other access barriers
• Passenger and chair dimensions or weight when requested
• Caregiver or companion request
• Facility contact for admission or discharge coordination
• Any discharge instructions that affect transportation

Do not send private medical details that are not needed to arrange the trip. Share only the information required to determine the correct vehicle, assistance level and safe pickup plan.

Planning an outpatient appointment

For a scheduled outpatient visit, build the trip around the hospital’s required arrival time rather than the clinical appointment time alone. Registration, security, mobility assistance and finding the department can take additional time.

A practical plan is to:

1. Confirm the hospital location and department the day before the trip.
2. Follow the hospital’s instructions about arrival time, identification, insurance information and physician orders.
3. Be ready before the transportation pickup window begins.
4. Bring necessary mobility equipment and personal items.
5. Keep the dispatcher’s number available.
6. Notify the transportation provider if the appointment is delayed or moved.
7. Confirm the return-pickup procedure before entering the hospital.

Wilkes-Barre General Hospital advises pre-scheduled admission and outpatient-testing patients to bring items such as photo identification, insurance information, physician orders, referrals and any required pre-certification details. Use the hospital’s current instructions for the specific visit.

Arranging a ride after an outpatient procedure

Some procedures involve sedation or anesthesia. The procedure center—not the transportation company—decides who may receive the patient at discharge. Some facilities require a responsible adult to accompany the patient, hear the discharge instructions and stay with the patient afterward. A hired driver alone may not satisfy that requirement.

Before booking, ask the procedure center:

• May the patient leave with a professional transportation driver?
• Must a responsible adult ride with the patient?
• Must that person remain at the facility during the procedure?
• Does someone need to stay with the patient after arriving home?
• What mobility or positioning restrictions will apply?

If a companion is required, confirm passenger capacity and any additional charge with the transportation provider.

Arranging transportation after a hospital discharge

A hospital discharge is different from a fixed-time appointment. The expected discharge time may change while the care team completes orders, medication instructions, equipment arrangements and the final assessment.

For a smoother hospital discharge ride, the patient, family or discharge planner should confirm:

• The passenger is medically cleared and stable for the proposed transportation level
• The correct pickup location and unit
• Whether the passenger can sit or must remain lying down
• Required wheelchair, stretcher or mobility equipment
• The destination and whether someone will receive the passenger
• Steps, narrow entries or other barriers at the destination
• Whether medications, luggage or mobility equipment will accompany the passenger
• Whether clinical care is required during the trip

Do not finalize a non-emergency stretcher or wheelchair discharge solely from a family description if the facility believes a higher level of care is necessary. The hospital determines discharge readiness, and the transportation provider determines whether it can safely accept the trip within its service scope.

What if the appointment runs late?

Medical appointments do not always end on schedule. Testing may be delayed, a physician may order additional care or a discharge may take longer than expected.

When booking, ask how the return trip will work:

• Fixed pickup: best when the end time is predictable.
• Will-call pickup: the passenger or facility calls when the patient is ready; availability and response time should be confirmed.
• Wait-and-return: the driver waits under agreed terms; ask how waiting time is priced.
• Facility-coordinated pickup: the unit or discharge planner communicates readiness to the provider.

If the appointment changes, notify the transportation provider as early as possible. Never assume that a driver can remain at the hospital indefinitely unless that arrangement was confirmed in advance.

Can recurring rides be arranged?

Yes, recurring transportation may be arranged when a patient returns to the hospital or an affiliated provider on a regular schedule. Examples include rehabilitation, cardiac care, wound care, laboratory monitoring, follow-up appointments or a treatment series.

A recurring plan should document:

• Treatment days and required arrival times
• Mobility level and equipment
• Pickup address and any access barriers
• Hospital department or treatment location
• Companion needs
• Return-pickup process
• Holiday and weather procedures
• Who can approve schedule changes

Standing arrangements reduce repeated booking work, but each schedule should still be reviewed when the patient’s mobility, health status or treatment location changes.

How much does a private ride cost?

Private NEMT pricing may depend on the passenger’s mobility level, vehicle type, pickup and destination, one-way or round-trip service, waiting time, staffing needs, stairs or access challenges and the time of the trip.

Ask for a quote based on the complete trip rather than comparing only a base rate. A lower advertised price may not include wheelchair equipment, waiting, extra staff or after-hours availability.

Original Medicare generally does not cover routine transportation in a car or wheelchair van. In limited circumstances, Medicare Part B may cover medically necessary non-emergency ambulance transportation when another type of transportation could endanger the patient’s health and Medicare’s requirements are met. Review Medicare’s ambulance coverage guidance and contact the insurance plan for a benefit determination.

Medicare Advantage transportation benefits vary by plan. Medicaid and MATP eligibility also have specific rules. Do not rely on a general website statement as a guarantee of payment; verify the trip with the responsible payer before travel.

Why a local medical transportation provider can help

A local provider familiar with West Pittston and the Wilkes-Barre area can focus on the details that ordinary transportation may overlook: the passenger’s mobility, hospital arrival instructions, accessible boarding, return coordination and communication with a caregiver or facility.

The most important qualities are not simply proximity. Look for a provider that:

• Asks detailed questions before accepting the ride
• Assigns a vehicle suited to the passenger
• Explains its assistance limits clearly
• Uses appropriate wheelchair or stretcher securement
• Provides a clear pickup and return plan
• Communicates delays or changes
• Distinguishes NEMT from emergency medical care
• Gives transparent pricing and cancellation terms