The cost of non-emergency medical transportation varies significantly depending on how you pay. For most patients on Long Island, NEMT is fully covered by some form of insurance. Here is a breakdown of every payment option and what patients actually pay.
- Medicaid (via MAS)
- $0
- Fully covered — no out-of-pocket cost
- Private pay, local trip
- $35–$75
- Varies with distance and vehicle type
- Medicare Advantage
- Varies
- Often $0 up to a plan trip limit
- Eligible expense
- HSA / FSA
- Pay with pre-tax dollars; receipts provided
What is the average cost of NEMT through Medicaid?
For the roughly 40% of Long Island residents covered by NY Medicaid, the cost of NEMT is $0. There are no co-pays, no deductibles, and no trip limits. Transportation to any covered medical service — primary care, dialysis, oncology, physical therapy, specialists — is included in the Medicaid benefit.
Booking goes through MAS (Medical Answering Services) at 1-844-666-6270. Call at least 72 business hours before the appointment. Have your Medicaid CIN (Client Identification Number) ready. Request DachiPlus as your provider in Nassau or Suffolk County.
What is the private-pay cost of non-emergency medical transportation?
For patients paying out of pocket, the average cost of NEMT on Long Island falls in the $35–$75 range for local trips within Nassau or Suffolk County. Factors that affect the price include distance, vehicle type (sedan vs. wheelchair-accessible), waiting time at the appointment, and whether a return trip is included.
Long-distance trips — to NYC specialty centers like Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYU Langone, or Weill Cornell — are quoted individually based on the route. Call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777 for an exact quote. Private-pay patients can book same-day.
DachiPlus accepts credit card, debit card, HSA, and FSA for all private-pay trips. Itemized receipts are provided for insurance reimbursement or tax purposes.
Does Medicare Advantage cover NEMT costs?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover non-emergency transportation. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans frequently do — most Long Island Medicare Advantage plans include 24 to 60 one-way NEMT trips per year as a supplemental benefit at no cost to the member.
Coverage is plan-specific. When you call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777, provide your plan name and member ID. We verify your benefit and bill your plan directly — no upfront cost.
Is NEMT covered under no-fault auto insurance?
Yes. New York is a no-fault state. If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, your PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage pays for transportation to all accident-related medical appointments — physical therapy, chiropractic, orthopedics, pain management, diagnostics — regardless of who caused the accident.
DachiPlus bills no-fault carriers directly using the NF-3 form. The patient pays nothing. Provide your claim number and carrier name when booking.
What factors affect the cost of non-emergency medical transportation?
- Distance: Longer trips cost more for private-pay patients. Medicaid, no-fault, and workers' comp cover any distance to an authorized provider.
- Vehicle type: Wheelchair-accessible vehicles may carry a small premium over sedans for private-pay trips. For Medicaid, the vehicle type is determined by medical necessity and is fully covered.
- Wait time: If a driver needs to wait during a lengthy appointment (infusion, dialysis, chemo), a waiting fee may apply for private-pay trips.
- Companion: A single companion rides free on all DachiPlus trips regardless of payer.
- Same-day booking: Private-pay same-day trips are available; Medicaid requires 72-hour advance notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a NEMT ride cost for a Medicaid patient?
$0. New York Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation at no cost to the patient. Rides are booked through MAS at 1-844-666-6270. There is no trip limit, co-pay, or deductible for Medicaid-covered NEMT.
What is the average cost of NEMT for private-pay patients on Long Island?
Private-pay NEMT on Long Island typically costs $35–$75 for local trips within Nassau or Suffolk County. Longer trips — such as to NYC specialty centers — are quoted individually. DachiPlus accepts credit card, debit, HSA, and FSA. Call (516) 754-7777 for an exact quote.
Does Medicare cover non-emergency medical transportation?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine NEMT. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans often include NEMT as a supplemental benefit — typically 24 to 60 one-way rides per year. Coverage is plan-specific. DachiPlus verifies your Medicare Advantage benefit and bills your plan directly.
Is NEMT covered by workers' compensation in New York?
Yes. New York workers' compensation insurance covers transportation to accident-related medical appointments at no cost to the patient. DachiPlus bills the workers' comp carrier directly using the appropriate claim forms. Provide your claim number and carrier name when booking.
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for non-emergency medical transportation?
Yes. Transportation to and from medical appointments qualifies as a medical expense under IRS guidelines. You can pay for DachiPlus private-pay trips with an HSA or FSA card. DachiPlus provides itemized receipts for all private-pay trips.