Patients on Long Island frequently confuse Medicaid and Medicare — they sound similar and millions of New Yorkers are enrolled in one or both. But they cover transportation very differently. Here is a plain-language breakdown of what each program covers, what it does not, and what to do if you have both.
What does New York Medicaid cover for transportation?
New York Medicaid provides full coverage for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation at zero cost to the member. There is no annual trip limit, no co-pay, and no deductible for covered trips. Medicaid covers the ride to and from virtually any medically necessary service: primary care, specialists, dialysis, chemotherapy, physical therapy, mental health, lab work, hospital discharge, and more.
Booking is managed by MAS (Medical Answering Services) at 1-844-666-6270. Call at least 72 business hours before the appointment. Have your Medicaid CIN (the code on your card) ready. Request DachiPlus as your provider for Nassau or Suffolk County.
Medicaid NEMT eligibility requires active NY State Medicaid enrollment and travel to a Medicaid-covered service. Most Long Island Medicaid members qualify because public transit on Long Island is too limited to serve as a free alternative for most medical destinations.
What does Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) cover for transportation?
This is where most confusion happens: Original Medicare does not cover routine non-emergency transportation. Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (outpatient insurance) have no NEMT benefit. The only ambulance coverage under Original Medicare is for emergency transport — when a patient's condition requires immediate, life-sustaining intervention and any other transportation would endanger health or life.
If someone tells you "Medicare covers your rides," they are almost certainly referring to a Medicare Advantage plan — not Original Medicare. These are two very different things.
What does Medicare Advantage (Part C) cover for transportation?
Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance plans that replace Original Medicare and often include supplemental benefits beyond what Original Medicare offers. Transportation is one of the most common supplemental benefits added by Medicare Advantage plans since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expanded the definition of "primarily health-related" benefits in 2019.
What a Medicare Advantage transportation benefit typically looks like:
- Annual trip allowance: 24 to 60 one-way trips per year (plan-specific)
- Eligible destinations: Most plans cover trips to any in-network medical provider
- Vehicle types: Standard sedan or SUV for ambulatory members; accessible vehicle for wheelchair users
- Booking method: Through the plan's designated transportation vendor — not MAS
- Cost to member: Zero or minimal co-pay (plan-specific)
DachiPlus is credentialed with multiple Medicare Advantage transportation vendors operating in Nassau and Suffolk County. When you call us at (516) 754-7777 with your plan name and member ID, we verify your benefit and handle billing directly with the plan vendor.
What if you have both Medicaid and Medicare — who pays?
Patients who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid are called dual-eligible. This is common among Long Island seniors who aged into Medicare while remaining on Medicaid, as well as younger patients with disabilities.
For NEMT specifically, Medicaid is the primary payer for dual-eligible patients. You book through MAS exactly as any other Medicaid member would — call 1-844-666-6270, provide your Medicaid CIN, request DachiPlus. Your Medicare card is not relevant to this booking.
Some dual-eligible patients in New York are enrolled in integrated managed care plans — such as FIDA (Fully Integrated Duals Advantage) plans or Medicaid Advantage Plus plans — which handle coordination between Medicaid and Medicare benefits differently. If you are unsure which program controls your transportation benefit, call your plan's member services line or call DachiPlus and we will help you figure it out.
Quick comparison: Medicaid vs Medicare vs Medicare Advantage for transportation
| Medicaid (NY) | Original Medicare (A/B) | Medicare Advantage (C) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covers routine NEMT? | ✓ Yes — all eligible members | ✗ No (emergency ambulance only) | Sometimes — supplemental benefit |
| Cost to you | $0 | You pay privately | $0 up to a trip limit |
| Trip limit | Unlimited medically necessary | N/A | ~24–60 trips/year (varies by plan) |
| How to book | MAS 1-844-666-6270, request DachiPlus | Pay privately — call DachiPlus | Through plan vendor or DachiPlus |
| Best for | Active Medicaid members | No one for routine rides — pay privately | MA members with a transport benefit |
New York Medicaid (via MAS): Covers all eligible members. Unlimited medically necessary trips. Zero cost. Booked via MAS at 1-844-666-6270. Full coverage for dialysis, chemotherapy, specialists, etc.
Original Medicare (Part A/B): Does NOT cover non-emergency transportation. Emergency ambulance only. Routine rides are not a benefit. Never call CMS to book a ride.
Medicare Advantage (Part C): May include transportation as a supplemental benefit. Coverage varies by plan — 24 to 60 trips per year is typical. Booked through the plan's vendor. DachiPlus accepts most Long Island Medicare Advantage plans.
Dual-eligible (both Medicaid and Medicare): Medicaid is primary for NEMT. Use MAS to book. Some integrated plans may route differently — confirm with your plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Part B cover rides to the doctor?
No. Medicare Part B (outpatient coverage) does not cover routine non-emergency transportation to medical appointments. The only ambulance coverage under Original Medicare is for emergency transport when other transportation would endanger health. For routine rides, you need Medicaid, a Medicare Advantage plan with a transportation benefit, or private NEMT.
I have both Medicare and Medicaid — which one covers my transportation?
If you are dual-eligible (both Medicare and Medicaid), Medicaid is typically the primary payer for NEMT. Book through MAS at 1-844-666-6270. Your Medicare card does not need to be involved in booking NEMT — Medicaid covers the trip. Some Medicare-Medicaid integrated plans (like FIDA or MAP plans in New York) may handle coordination differently — check with your plan.
Which Medicare Advantage plans on Long Island include transportation benefits?
Most major Medicare Advantage plans in Nassau and Suffolk County include supplemental transportation: UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana, Wellcare, Healthfirst, and others. Coverage varies by plan and year. Check the Summary of Benefits in your plan documents, or call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777 with your plan name and we verify your benefit.
What is the difference between Medicaid NEMT and Medicare Advantage transportation?
Medicaid NEMT (via MAS) is coordinated through the state and covers essentially unlimited medically necessary trips at zero cost. Medicare Advantage transportation is a supplemental benefit offered by private insurance plans — typically limited to 24–60 one-way trips per year, with restrictions on trip types and destinations depending on the plan.
How do I know if my Medicare Advantage plan includes transportation?
Look at the Summary of Benefits document your plan mails you each year — search for "transportation" or "ride benefit." You can also call the member services number on the back of your card. DachiPlus can also verify your benefit when you call us at (516) 754-7777 with your plan name and member ID.