Yes — NY Medicaid covers NEMT
Non-emergency medical transportation is a mandatory benefit under New York State Medicaid. This means it is not optional or subject to a waiting list — if you meet the eligibility criteria, you are entitled to the benefit. The transportation cost is paid entirely by Medicaid; you pay nothing.
The benefit covers ground transportation to and from covered medical appointments. The state manages this benefit through a contracted broker called MAS (Medical Answering Services). MAS is not a transportation company — it is a scheduling and eligibility verification system that sits between Medicaid members and the credentialed transportation providers (like DachiPlus) who actually drive the trips.
This system has been in place across New York State for many years. It is tested, well-understood, and works well for the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who rely on it each month. If you have Medicaid and you need a ride to a medical appointment, this benefit is available to you right now.
Who qualifies
To receive free Medicaid transportation, three conditions must be true at the same time:
- You are an active New York State Medicaid member. This includes traditional Medicaid (fee-for-service), Medicaid Managed Care plans, Health and Recovery Plans (HARP), and most dual-eligible plans. Your Medicaid card — and the CIN number on it — is your proof of eligibility.
- You are traveling to a Medicaid-covered medical appointment. This covers the vast majority of medical visits (see the full list below). The appointment must be with a provider or facility that accepts Medicaid.
- You have no other free transportation option. If a family member is available and able to drive you at no cost, MAS may ask about that. However, "no other option" does not mean you need to beg rides from family — if public transit is impractical given your medical condition or appointment time, NEMT is appropriate.
You do not need to apply separately for the transportation benefit. It is part of your Medicaid enrollment. As long as your Medicaid is active, you can call MAS and book a ride.
What appointments are covered
New York Medicaid covers transportation to a wide range of medical appointments. The general rule is: if the appointment itself is covered by Medicaid, transportation to it is covered too. Here are the most common types of appointments that qualify:
- Primary care and specialist physician visits
- Dialysis treatments (usually set up as a standing order, three times per week)
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy sessions
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
- Mental health therapy, psychiatric appointments, and substance use treatment
- Methadone clinics and opioid treatment programs (OTPs)
- Diagnostic imaging — MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound
- Lab work and bloodwork at independent labs or hospital facilities
- Dental appointments covered under Medicaid
- Outpatient surgeries and procedures
- Wound care and infusion therapy
- Hospital discharges (return trip home after inpatient care)
- Pharmacy visits when transportation is medically necessary
- Vision appointments for covered Medicaid services
If you are not sure whether your specific appointment type qualifies, call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 and ask. They verify appointment eligibility on every booking call.
What is not covered
Medicaid transportation covers medically necessary trips — it does not cover general social transportation. The following are not covered under the NEMT benefit:
- Grocery shopping, errands, or personal trips
- Social visits to friends or family
- Transportation to appointments that are not covered by Medicaid
- Transportation to providers who do not accept Medicaid
- Trips for elective procedures that Medicaid does not cover
If your transportation need falls outside the Medicaid benefit, DachiPlus offers private pay service. Call us at (516) 754-7777 for private pay pricing.
How to book your covered Medicaid ride
Booking a Medicaid ride through MAS takes about 5–10 minutes on the phone. Here is the process step by step:
- Confirm your appointment first. MAS will not book a ride for an appointment that has not been confirmed. Get the appointment date, time, and facility address before calling MAS.
- Call MAS at least 72 hours before your appointment. The standard booking window is three business days in advance. Same-day and short-notice requests are handled on the urgent line but may not always be available.
- Have your Medicaid CIN ready. This is the Client Identification Number on your Medicaid card. MAS uses it to verify your eligibility in real time.
- Provide your appointment details. MAS will ask for the medical provider's name, address, and the appointment time. They will also ask your pickup address.
- State your mobility needs. Tell MAS whether you are ambulatory, use a cane or walker, or use a wheelchair. If you use a wheelchair, let them know whether you can transfer to a seat or need to remain in your chair.
- Request DachiPlus by name. Say: "I would like DachiPlus assigned as my transportation provider." New York Medicaid members have the right to request a specific credentialed provider.
- Get your confirmation number. Write it down. If there is ever a question about your trip, the confirmation number is the fastest way to resolve it.
MAS will contact your assigned provider and confirm the trip. On the day of your appointment, your driver will arrive at your door. No cash changes hands.
Standing orders for recurring appointments
If you have a recurring medical appointment — dialysis is the most common example, typically three times per week — you do not need to call MAS before every single trip. Instead, you can set up a standing order. A standing order is a pre-authorized repeating booking that covers all trips within a defined schedule for a set period (usually 3–6 months).
To establish a standing order, call MAS and request one. Provide the days of the week, treatment times, and the facility address. Request DachiPlus as your assigned provider — driver continuity is especially important for recurring trips, because a consistent driver learns your routine, your building access, and your specific needs.
Your dialysis center can also help set up a standing order on your behalf — ask the social worker or transportation coordinator at your dialysis unit. Once the standing order is in place, transportation happens automatically on your scheduled days without any further action from you.
If you are in Nassau or Suffolk County
DachiPlus is a credentialed MAS transportation provider serving all of Nassau County and Suffolk County, Long Island. We cover the full length of Long Island — from Great Neck and Mineola in Nassau to Riverhead and Southampton in Suffolk — as well as trips from Long Island to New York City medical centers when medically necessary.
When you call MAS, explicitly request DachiPlus by name. Under New York Medicaid rules, you have the right to request a specific transportation provider. If we have availability for your appointment window, MAS will assign the trip to us. If you have questions about whether we cover your specific area or facility, you can call us directly at (516) 754-7777 before calling MAS.
Ready to book?
Book your free Medicaid ride through MAS — and request DachiPlus.
Call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours before your appointment. Request DachiPlus as your provider. Or call us directly and we will help you navigate the process.