Medicaid NEMT — free for eligible members
If you have active New York State Medicaid, your non-emergency medical transportation is completely free. There is no copay, no deductible, and no bill at the end of the trip. The entire cost is billed directly to Medicaid through the state-contracted broker, MAS (Medical Answering Services).
To use your Medicaid transportation benefit, call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours before your appointment. MAS verifies your eligibility, confirms your appointment is Medicaid-covered, and assigns a credentialed transportation provider in your area. For Nassau and Suffolk County residents, you can request DachiPlus by name.
Qualifying for the transportation benefit is straightforward: you must have active NY Medicaid enrollment, be traveling to a covered medical appointment (most medical visits qualify), and have no other free transportation option available to you. You do not need to prove financial hardship beyond your Medicaid card — eligibility is automatic for active members.
Common qualifying appointments include dialysis (often under a standing order that the dialysis center requests through MAS), chemotherapy, physical therapy, specialist visits, lab work, diagnostic imaging, mental health treatment, and hospital discharges. Medicaid does not cover social trips or non-medical destinations.
Private pay pricing — how it works
For passengers without Medicaid or other insurance coverage, DachiPlus offers transparent private pay pricing. Unlike rideshare apps, there is no surge pricing and no mystery about what your ride will cost before you book. We give you an exact quote when you call.
Private pay pricing is calculated based on three primary factors: distance (the total mileage of your trip, including any return), vehicle type (ambulatory sedan or minivan vs. wheelchair-accessible vehicle), and wait time at the medical facility if you need us to stay while you complete your appointment.
Every private-pay trip is priced by driving distance: a base charge per pickup plus a per-mile rate, as listed on our private pay rate card. Trips from Long Island to a Manhattan or Brooklyn specialty center are priced the same way, by distance; tolls are added. Long-distance trips to out-of-state facilities or other regions of New York are quoted by route. For your exact trip, use the cost estimator.
There are no hidden fees. The price we quote you is the price you pay. If your appointment runs long and we need to extend the wait, we communicate that with you in advance before any additional charge applies.
Medicare Advantage transportation benefits
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover non-emergency medical transportation to routine appointments. However, many Medicare Advantage plans (also called Part C) include transportation as a supplemental benefit. The coverage varies significantly by plan and insurer — some plans cover a set number of one-way trips per year, others cover specific appointment types only.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the first step is to call the member services number on the back of your plan card and ask specifically: "Does my plan include a transportation benefit for non-emergency medical appointments?" Have your plan's Summary of Benefits available if possible. Some plans allow direct booking through the plan's transportation coordinator; others require you to book through an approved provider and submit a claim.
DachiPlus works with several Medicare Advantage plans. When you call us at (516) 754-7777, tell us your plan name and we can confirm whether we are in-network for your coverage and how to proceed with billing.
Workers' compensation and no-fault auto
If your medical treatment is related to a workplace injury covered by New York Workers' Compensation, your transportation to and from treatment is a covered benefit — at no upfront cost to you. DachiPlus bills workers' comp carriers directly, meaning you do not pay out of pocket and are not reimbursed later. You simply ride, and we handle the billing paperwork.
Similarly, if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident and have a no-fault auto insurance claim open in New York, your medical transportation is covered under the mandatory no-fault benefit. New York's no-fault law requires insurers to cover reasonable transportation to and from covered medical treatment. DachiPlus bills the no-fault carrier directly.
To book under either of these coverage types, call us at (516) 754-7777 with your claim number and insurer information. We verify coverage before your first trip so there are no billing surprises.
What information to have ready when calling for a quote
Getting an accurate quote takes only a few minutes when you have the right information ready. Before calling, gather the following:
- Pickup address — your home or current location
- Destination address — the medical facility's full address, including suite or floor if applicable
- Appointment date and time — including expected duration if you'll need a wait
- Return trip — whether you need transportation back after the appointment
- Mobility needs — whether you walk independently, use a cane or walker, or use a wheelchair and can transfer to a seat
- Insurance type — Medicaid ID (CIN number), Medicare Advantage plan name and ID, workers' comp claim number, or no-fault claim number
With this information in hand, we can give you an exact price (private pay) or confirm your coverage (insurance) on the same call. We never leave you with an estimate — only a confirmed price.
Why NEMT costs less than you might expect
Many patients assume that medical-grade transportation will be as expensive as an ambulance or far pricier than a taxi. That's not the case. NEMT is specifically designed as a cost-effective alternative to emergency transport for patients who are medically stable.
For comparison: a New York ambulance ride typically costs $1,000–$2,500 or more, and is only appropriate for true medical emergencies. A standard rideshare or taxi may seem cheaper on paper, but they cannot accommodate wheelchairs, don't offer door-through-door assistance, and don't provide the wait service that medical appointments require. Long waits, surge pricing, and the need to find your own return ride add up.
DachiPlus NEMT includes door-through-door escort, a companion seat for a family member or aide, no surge pricing, and coordinated pickup after your appointment. For Medicaid members, the cost is $0. For private pay, the fare is based on distance from our published rate card, and you can get an instant estimate online. Compared to the true cost of alternatives, professional NEMT is often the most economical option available.
Ready to book?
Get an exact quote — no surprises.
Call us to confirm your coverage or get a private pay price. Medicaid members: call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 and request DachiPlus. Everyone else: call us directly and we'll sort out the rest.