New York State Medicaid pays for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) for eligible members at no cost to the patient. If you have a Medicaid card, your ride to the doctor is covered — but there are specific eligibility rules, booking requirements, and trip types that matter. Here is everything you need to know to access your benefit in Nassau or Suffolk County.
- Cost to eligible members
- $0
- A mandatory Medicaid benefit
- Call MAS to book
- 1-844-666-6270
- The state transportation broker
- Book ahead
- 72 hrs
- 3 business days before your trip
- Request by name
- DachiPlus
- Serving all of Nassau & Suffolk
Who qualifies for free Medicaid transportation in New York?
Eligibility for Medicaid NEMT in New York requires all three of the following to be true at the time of the trip:
- Active New York State Medicaid membership. This includes straight Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care plans (like Healthfirst, Fidelis, or MetroPlus), HARP (Health and Recovery Plan), and most dual-eligible plans (both Medicaid and Medicare). Check your Medicaid card — if it is active and issued in New York, you likely qualify.
- The destination is a Medicaid-covered medical service. Most medical appointments qualify: primary care, specialists, dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation, physical therapy, mental health, substance use, lab work, hospital discharge, and more. The trip must be to receive a service Medicaid covers — not purely social.
- No other free transportation is available. If a family member can provide the ride at no cost, public transit is reasonably accessible, or the facility provides its own transport, Medicaid may not cover NEMT. In practice, most Long Island members qualify because Long Island public transit is extremely limited outside major corridors.
You do not need to prove additional income hardship beyond Medicaid eligibility itself. The Medicaid card is your authorization.
What is MAS and how do I use it to book a free ride?
MAS — Medical Answering Services — is the New York State-contracted broker that manages all Medicaid NEMT bookings across the state, including all of Long Island. MAS does not own vehicles or employ drivers. It is the scheduling and eligibility verification layer between Medicaid members and credentialed providers like DachiPlus.
To book a Medicaid ride through MAS:
- Confirm your medical appointment first. MAS will not book a speculative trip.
- Call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 — at least 72 hours (three business days) before the appointment.
- Have ready: your Medicaid CIN number, appointment date, time, and exact address, and your pickup address.
- Tell MAS your mobility needs: ambulatory, walker, cane, wheelchair.
- Request DachiPlus by name as your provider for Long Island trips.
- Write down your confirmation number.
MAS also has an online portal at medanswering.com if you prefer not to call. Call hours are Monday–Friday, 7 AM–6 PM, with a weekend urgent line available.
What is a CIN number and where do I find it?
Your CIN (Client Identification Number) is the unique 8-character code on your Medicaid card — typically formatted as two letters, five numbers, and one letter (e.g., "AA12345B"). MAS requires it to verify eligibility before confirming any trip. Keep your Medicaid card accessible when calling.
If you have lost your card or do not know your CIN, call the New York State Medicaid helpline at 1-800-541-2831 or visit your local Department of Social Services office in Nassau or Suffolk County. See our complete CIN guide for more detail.
What medical appointments does Medicaid transportation cover?
New York Medicaid covers transportation to virtually all medically necessary services. The covered list includes:
- Primary care, internal medicine, and geriatrics
- All specialist appointments (cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, etc.)
- Dialysis — typically set up under a recurring standing order
- Chemotherapy, radiation, and infusion therapy
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
- Mental health and psychiatric appointments
- Substance use treatment, including methadone clinics
- Diagnostic imaging: MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound
- Lab work and bloodwork
- Wound care and post-surgical follow-up
- Dental care that is covered under the Medicaid plan
- Hospital discharge transportation back home or to a skilled nursing facility
Medicaid does not cover transportation to the pharmacy (unless the pharmacy visit itself is the only option), grocery shopping, or social visits unrelated to medical care.
How do standing orders work for recurring Medicaid trips?
If you attend recurring appointments — dialysis three times per week, weekly chemotherapy, daily radiation — you do not need to call MAS before every trip. A standing order is a pre-authorized repeating trip schedule that MAS maintains on your behalf.
To set up a standing order: call MAS, explain the recurring appointment schedule (days, times, frequency, duration), and request DachiPlus as your assigned provider. Your dialysis center or oncology practice can also initiate a standing order on your behalf. Once active, DachiPlus shows up at your door on the scheduled days — no call required.
How do I request DachiPlus specifically for my Medicaid trips?
New York Medicaid members have the right to request a specific credentialed NEMT provider through MAS. When the MAS representative asks which provider you prefer, say: "Please assign DachiPlus as my transportation provider."
DachiPlus serves Nassau and Suffolk Counties and is fully credentialed with MAS. If we have availability for your trip type and time window, MAS assigns the trip to us. If you want additional help navigating the MAS process, call DachiPlus directly at (516) 754-7777 and we can walk you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for free Medicaid transportation in New York?
Any active New York Medicaid member — including Medicaid Managed Care, HARP, and some dual-eligible plans — who is traveling to a Medicaid-covered medical service and has no other free transportation option. You do not need to prove additional financial hardship beyond Medicaid eligibility itself.
What is a CIN number and why do I need it to book a Medicaid ride?
A CIN (Client Identification Number) is the unique 8-character alphanumeric code on your Medicaid card. MAS uses it to verify your eligibility before booking a trip. It looks like "AA12345B." Have it ready when you call MAS at 1-844-666-6270.
How do I request DachiPlus as my Medicaid transportation provider?
When the MAS representative asks which transportation provider you would like, say: "Please assign DachiPlus." New York Medicaid members have the right to request a specific credentialed provider. If DachiPlus has availability for your trip window, MAS will assign us to your trip.
Does Medicaid cover the return trip home after a medical appointment?
Yes. Standard Medicaid NEMT booking includes both the trip to the appointment and the return trip home. Inform MAS at booking time whether you need a same-day return or a return at a specific time. For wait times that are unpredictable (e.g., infusion therapy), DachiPlus can wait on-site.
What if I need a ride the same day — can Medicaid cover it?
MAS standard bookings require 72 hours advance notice. Same-day urgent trips can be approved when a physician documents medical necessity. Call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 and explain the urgent situation. If MAS cannot accommodate same-day, DachiPlus offers private-pay same-day rides at (516) 754-7777.
What types of medical appointments does Medicaid transportation cover?
Medicaid covers transportation to nearly all medically necessary services: doctor and specialist appointments, dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation, physical and occupational therapy, mental health visits, substance use treatment, lab work, diagnostic imaging, wound care, infusion therapy, dental (when covered under Medicaid), and hospital discharges. Purely social trips are not covered.