How to Get Transportation to a Medical Appointment on Long Island

Getting a ride to the doctor sounds simple — but if you have insurance or government coverage, using the right path means the ride is free. Here is the complete step-by-step guide for Long Island patients, organized by coverage type so you can go directly to your situation.

1. 1

   Identify your coverage

   Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, workers’ comp, no-fault auto, VA Community Care, or private pay.

2. 2

   Gather your information

   ID or Medicaid CIN, appointment date and address, and any mobility needs.

3. 3

   Call the right number

   Medicaid → MAS at 1-844-666-6270. Everything else → DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777.

4. 4

   Request DachiPlus

   For Medicaid, ask MAS to assign DachiPlus; for other coverage, give us your plan or claim info.

5. 5

   Confirm the pickup time

   Note your confirmation and be ready before the scheduled window.

6. 6

   Ride door-through-door

   The driver assists you to and from the door and coordinates your return.

Step 1: Do you have New York Medicaid?

Check your wallet for a New York Medicaid card. It will either say "Medicaid" or carry the logo of a Medicaid Managed Care plan — Healthfirst, Fidelis, MetroPlus, Wellcare, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Molina, or others. If you have any of these, your ride to any covered medical appointment is free.

How to book a Medicaid ride on Long Island:

1. Confirm your appointment with the medical provider first.
2. Call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 — Monday through Friday, 7 AM–6 PM.
3. Call at least 72 business hours (three business days) before the appointment.
4. Have your Medicaid CIN (the 8-character code on your card), appointment date, time, and address, and any mobility needs ready.
5. Request DachiPlus by name: "Please assign DachiPlus as my provider."
6. Write down your confirmation number.

For recurring appointments (dialysis, chemotherapy), ask MAS to set up a standing order so you never have to call before each trip. See our complete MAS guide for the full process.

Step 2: Do you have a Medicare Advantage plan with a transportation benefit?

If you have Medicare Advantage (a "Part C" plan from UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana, Wellcare, Healthfirst, or similar), check whether your plan includes a transportation benefit. Most Long Island Medicare Advantage plans do — typically 24 to 60 one-way trips per year at no cost.

How to use Medicare Advantage transportation on Long Island:

1. Call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777.
2. Have your plan name and member ID ready (from the front of your Medicare Advantage card).
3. We verify your transportation benefit with the plan's vendor — typically takes less than two minutes.
4. We book the trip and bill the plan directly. You pay nothing (or a minimal co-pay depending on your plan).

Note: Original Medicare (the standard red-white-blue card) does not include transportation. Only Medicare Advantage plans include ride benefits.

Step 3: Do you have workers' comp or no-fault auto coverage?

If you are being treated for a workplace injury (workers' compensation) or injuries from a car accident (no-fault/PIP), transportation to all authorized medical appointments is covered by the respective insurer at no cost to you.

How to book workers' comp or no-fault transportation:

1. Call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777.
2. Provide your claim number, date of injury/accident, employer name (for workers' comp) or insurance carrier name (for no-fault), and the name and address of the authorized medical provider.
3. DachiPlus handles billing directly with the insurer using the NF-3 form for no-fault or workers' comp claim forms. You pay nothing.

Step 4: Do you have VA Community Care coverage?

Veterans receiving care through the VA Community Care program or attending VA facilities may be eligible for VA-covered transportation. The VA Beneficiary Travel benefit also reimburses eligible veterans for transportation to VA-authorized care.

How to book VA-covered transportation on Long Island:

1. Obtain a VA Community Care authorization or referral letter from your VA provider.
2. Call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777 with the authorization document.
3. We coordinate the trip to the Northport VA Medical Center, VA outpatient clinics, or authorized community providers. Billing goes directly to VA Community Care.

Step 5: Long-term care insurance or other private coverage?

Long-term care insurance policies often include transportation. Call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777 with your LTC policy name, number, and insurer. We verify coverage before the first trip and bill the insurer directly. This applies to policies from Genworth, Transamerica, John Hancock, Northwestern Mutual, and others.

Step 6: Private pay — no coverage?

If you have no coverage from the sources above, or if you need a same-day trip that does not fit within a coverage window, private pay with DachiPlus is available Monday through Saturday, 6 AM to 8 PM. Most local Nassau and Suffolk County trips are $35–$75. Long-distance trips to NYC specialty centers are quoted by route. Payment by credit card, debit, HSA, or FSA. Call (516) 754-7777 — same-day bookings accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get transportation to a medical appointment on Long Island?

For same-day or next-day needs, call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777 — private-pay trips can be booked same-day with no advance notice. For Medicaid-covered trips, call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 at least three business days ahead. For Medicare Advantage, call DachiPlus with your plan name and member ID and we verify and book the trip.

How do I know if I have Medicaid?

Check your wallet for a New York Medicaid card — it will say "Medicaid" or bear the logo of a Medicaid Managed Care plan (Healthfirst, Fidelis, MetroPlus, Wellcare, etc.). If unsure, call New York's Medicaid helpline at 1-800-541-2831 or contact your local Department of Social Services in Nassau or Suffolk County.

How do I check if my Medicare Advantage plan covers transportation?

Look at your plan's Summary of Benefits document — search for "transportation" or "rides." You can also call the member services number on the back of your card and ask whether the plan includes a non-emergency transportation benefit. DachiPlus can also verify your benefit when you call (516) 754-7777 with your plan name and member ID.

Can someone book transportation to a medical appointment on behalf of a patient?

Yes. A family member, caregiver, social worker, or discharge planner can call on behalf of a patient. For Medicaid trips via MAS, the caller will need the patient's Medicaid CIN number. For DachiPlus private-pay, just call (516) 754-7777 with the patient's pickup address and appointment details.

What if I need a ride home from a hospital or surgery center on Long Island?

Hospital discharge transportation is one of DachiPlus's most common trip types. For Medicaid patients, the hospital discharge planner or social worker coordinates with MAS. For private-pay patients, call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777 as soon as you know the discharge date and time. We coordinate with the facility and pick up at the hospital exit.