When a senior can no longer drive — or when a family caregiver can no longer make every appointment — the question becomes urgent: how does the ride actually get arranged? On Long Island, there are five real options, each with different eligibility rules and booking steps. This guide walks through all of them.
- 1
Check the senior’s coverage
Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, or county Office for the Aging programs each cover rides differently.
- 2
Have Medicaid? Use MAS
Call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 and request DachiPlus — rides are free.
- 3
Have Medicare Advantage? Check the plan
Many plans include a transportation benefit; call the plan or DachiPlus with the plan details.
- 4
No coverage? County or private pay
Contact the Nassau or Suffolk Office for the Aging, or book a private-pay ride with DachiPlus.
- 5
Note mobility needs
Wheelchair, walker, or oxygen — tell us so the right vehicle and assistance are sent.
- 6
Ride door-through-door
The driver assists the senior from the door to the vehicle and into the appointment.
Why can't seniors just use Uber or Lyft for medical appointments?
Rideshare works for some seniors on some trips — a healthy, mobile senior going to a familiar location for a routine checkup can use Uber or Lyft without issue. But rideshare breaks down in the situations that matter most:
- No door-through-door service. Rideshare drivers stay at the curb. For a senior with a walker, limited strength, or cognitive impairment, getting from the front door to the car and back is the hardest part. NEMT drivers come to the door.
- Cannot bill Medicaid or insurance. Uber and Lyft have no mechanism to bill New York Medicaid, Medicare Advantage transportation benefits, workers' comp, or no-fault auto insurance. NEMT providers do.
- High cancellation rates. A dialysis patient who misses a session faces a medical emergency. Rideshare cancellations are routine. NEMT providers have accountability standards and dispatch oversight.
- No training for medical passengers. NEMT drivers are trained to assist passengers with mobility limitations, oxygen equipment, cognitive conditions, and post-surgical fragility.
For anything more than an occasional, convenient trip for a fully mobile senior, licensed NEMT is the appropriate choice.
Option 1: How do seniors use Medicaid for free rides on Long Island?
If the senior has active New York Medicaid — including Medicaid Managed Care, HARP, or certain dual-eligible plans — every trip to a covered medical appointment is free. The system works as follows:
- Confirm the appointment with the medical provider.
- Call MAS (Medical Answering Services) at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours (three business days) before the appointment.
- Have the senior's Medicaid CIN (Client Identification Number), appointment address, and time, and any mobility needs (walker, cane, wheelchair) ready.
- Request DachiPlus by name: "Please assign DachiPlus as my transportation provider."
- Receive a confirmation number — write it down.
For recurring appointments, set up a standing order through MAS. This covers dialysis three times weekly, weekly chemotherapy, or any other repeating schedule without requiring a call before each trip.
Option 2: How do Medicare Advantage transportation benefits work?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover non-emergency transportation. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans often do — as a supplemental benefit. Coverage varies by plan but commonly provides 24 to 60 one-way trips per year.
To use this benefit: check the Summary of Benefits in your plan documents, or call the member services number on the back of the Medicare Advantage card. The plan will direct you to their transportation vendor. DachiPlus is credentialed with multiple Medicare Advantage vendors serving Nassau and Suffolk County. Call us at (516) 754-7777 with the plan name and member ID and we confirm coverage on the spot.
Option 3: What do county Office for the Aging programs offer?
Nassau and Suffolk Counties both operate transportation programs for residents 60 and older, regardless of income. These programs include demand-response medical van services, volunteer driver coordination, and escort programs for seniors who cannot travel alone.
- Nassau County Office for the Aging: (516) 227-8900
- Suffolk County Office for the Aging: (631) 853-8200
These programs are free or very low-cost, but they may have wait lists and limited trip availability. They are best for planned appointments and less reliable for urgent or same-day needs.
Option 4: What about volunteer driver programs?
Several nonprofit and faith-based organizations on Long Island coordinate volunteer driver programs for seniors. The Long Island Council on Aging and many local senior centers maintain volunteer networks. These programs are typically free but have very limited capacity and geographic coverage. They work best for seniors in specific communities who have established relationships with a local senior center.
Option 5: How does private-pay NEMT work for seniors?
When Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, or county programs are not available — or when a same-day trip is needed — private-pay NEMT through DachiPlus is the most reliable path. DachiPlus provides door-through-door service across Nassau and Suffolk County, Monday through Saturday, 6 AM to 8 PM. Fares are distance-based. Payment by credit card, debit, HSA, or FSA. Call (516) 754-7777 to book — same-day trips are available for private-pay patients.
For families coordinating transportation for a parent or relative, DachiPlus can set up recurring trip schedules, provide driver continuity on repeat routes, and call the family after drop-off for confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best option for seniors who need rides to the doctor on Long Island?
It depends on coverage. Medicaid seniors should call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 — rides are free. Seniors with Medicare Advantage should check their plan for a transportation benefit and call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777. Seniors with neither should contact the Nassau or Suffolk County Office for the Aging, or book privately with DachiPlus.
Can an Uber or Lyft driver take a senior to a medical appointment?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended for most medical trips. Rideshare drivers are not trained for medical passengers, do not offer door-through-door assistance, cannot bill Medicaid or Medicare Advantage, and have high cancellation rates. For seniors who need any mobility assistance or have cognitive impairments, NEMT providers like DachiPlus are the appropriate choice.
How far in advance do seniors need to book Medicaid transportation on Long Island?
MAS requires at least 72 business hours (three business days) advance notice for standard trips. Same-day booking is available for urgent situations documented by a physician. Seniors with recurring appointments (dialysis, chemotherapy) can set up a standing order through MAS to avoid calling before each trip.
Can a family member accompany a senior on a Medicaid NEMT trip?
In most cases, yes — one companion or escort can ride along on a Medicaid NEMT trip if they are needed to assist the member. The companion does not need to have Medicaid. Notify MAS at booking time that a companion will be present so the correct vehicle is dispatched.
Does DachiPlus provide door-through-door service for seniors?
Yes. DachiPlus drivers come to the front door, assist the senior to the vehicle, remain with them at the medical facility when requested, and return them to their door. This is not curbside service. Drivers are trained for passengers with mobility limitations, dementia, Parkinson's, and other conditions common in elderly patients.