At a glance
Medical ride
Planned transport without medical care during the journey.
Patient transport
Professional medical support or specialist vehicle equipment is required.
Emergency
In an acute emergency, call the emergency services.
The most important difference
These terms describe different types of transport. According to the German National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), a medical ride does not include medical care during the journey. Qualified patient transport may be required when professional medical support or specialist vehicle equipment is needed. An ambulance or other emergency vehicle is used for emergencies.
The three types at a glance
- Medical ride: planned transport without medical care during the journey, for example by public transport, taxi or hire car; for a taxi or hire car, a prescription on Muster 4.
- Patient transport: patient-transport vehicle when the passenger's health requires professional care or specialist equipment; the prescribing body decides.
- Ambulance: for acute danger; the emergency dispatch centre is responsible, emergency number 112.
Medical rides
A medical ride can use public transport, a private vehicle, taxi or hire car. This category can also include wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Using a wheelchair therefore does not automatically mean you need patient transport. PrimaFahrten provides planned medical rides in Berlin without medical care during the journey.
Qualified patient transport
Qualified patient transport uses a patient transport vehicle when the passenger's health requires professional care or appropriate specialist equipment. A planned medical ride with PrimaFahrten does not replace qualified patient transport.
Which type of transport is medically necessary is decided by the prescribing body. For patient-transport vehicle journeys to outpatient treatment, our approval guide generally names prior insurer approval, with exceptions.
Ambulances and emergency services
In the event of acute danger, severe sudden symptoms or another emergency, call 112. A scheduled transport provider is not the appropriate service. A website cannot assess urgency medically.
Determine whether a planned medical ride, qualified patient transport or emergency care is required before booking.
If you are unsure
Describe the appointment, your mobility and your symptoms to the treating practice and ask which type of transport is medically suitable. Only then does a ride request make sense. No website can replace that decision. How a ride after a hospital stay is planned is described in our guide to a ride after hospital discharge.
Make the right preparation
- Discuss medical necessity and the required type of transport with the treating practice.
- If transport is prescribed, use the information on Germany's Muster 4 form (guide to the transport prescription).
- Clarify any required prior approval with the health insurer (getting approval from the insurer).
- Provide the chosen transport provider with all mobility and access information.
The German Patient Transport Directive sets out the legal framework for prescriptions.
Frequently asked questions
Who decides which type of transport is needed?
The prescribing body, usually the treating practice, decides on medical grounds.
Is a wheelchair ride a patient transport?
Not automatically. A medical ride can also use vehicles for wheelchair transport as long as no medical care during the journey is needed.
Does PrimaFahrten replace patient transport?
No. A planned medical ride from PrimaFahrten does not replace qualified patient transport.
What do I do in an emergency?
Call 112. A scheduled ride service is not responsible for that.
By Tobias A. Kreuzig, co-founder of PrimaFahrten GmbH
Published: 27 July 2025 · Last substantive update: 26 October 2026
Example: For an outpatient specialist appointment, the pickup time, wheelchair needs, companion and the exact practice entrance are provided in advance.
Sources and further information
German Federal Joint Committee: Patient Transport Directive · KBV: Patient transport
