How standing-order transport works for dialysis centers
For Medicaid patients, a standing order is a request for prescheduled transportation to recurring Medicaid-covered appointments at the same location, usually on the same days and at the same times each week, such as a Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday dialysis schedule. Once it is in place, the patient does not call MAS (Medical Answering Services) before every session.
Under the New York State Department of Health's Standing Order Policy (effective October 1, 2020), only the patient's medical provider or a designee, such as an RN, LPN, scheduler, or receptionist, can request one, by entering it on the MAS provider portal. Patients, family members, and transportation companies cannot enter standing orders, so your team requests them and DachiPlus cannot enter, change, or pause them. Enter each order at least three business days before it takes effect. A standing order lasts up to six months and does not renew on its own: your staff renew or extend it through the portal, and MAS sends reminder alerts before it expires. The entry form has a field for the preferred transportation provider, so when a patient asks for DachiPlus, list DachiPlus there. Changes to trip details are approved and processed by MAS.
According to MAS's FAQ for medical providers, trips are assigned within the medically appropriate mode of transportation: to the patient's preferred provider first, then the medical practitioner's preferred provider, then by rotation. Preferred Provider arrangements in a region can also affect assignment. For private-pay and Medicare Advantage patients, recurring schedules are managed directly between the patient, their family, and DachiPlus dispatch.
Our standing-order sheet for dialysis staff (PDF) puts these steps on one printable page, with the policy sources listed at the bottom. A Spanish version (PDF) is available for Spanish-speaking staff. It also covers which patients DachiPlus can drive: people who walk or who can transfer from a wheelchair to a car seat. Patients who must stay in their wheelchair travel by ambulette, which MAS arranges with an ambulette provider.
Handling treatment delays and flexible pickup windows
Dialysis treatment sessions don't always end on time. A patient scheduled for a 10 AM–1 PM session might complete at 1:45 PM, or wait on an extra chair hour because of a staffing delay. Rideshares and taxi services penalize or abandon patients in these situations.
DachiPlus dispatch tracks treatment completion with your center directly. Drivers are assigned return windows, not fixed return times, so a 20–30 minute treatment extension doesn't strand your patient in the waiting room. For centers that prefer to call pickup in at completion, we offer a call-in return service with a 30-minute pickup window.
Driver training for dialysis patients
Post-dialysis fatigue is real. Patients often leave treatment feeling weak, dizzy, or lightheaded. DachiPlus drivers are trained to recognize post-treatment symptoms and respond appropriately: unhurried boarding, stable boarding assistance, no loud environment in the vehicle, and a direct line to dispatch if a patient shows unusual distress during a return trip.
For centers where patient falls during boarding are a documented concern, DachiPlus drivers are briefed on which patients need extended assistance.
Getting started: setting up a dialysis center account
To set up a DachiPlus transport account for your center, call (516) 754-7777 and ask for the facility partnerships line. We'll confirm service coverage for your patient ZIP codes, review Medicaid and private-pay billing pathways, and establish a direct dispatch contact for your charge nurses. Most centers are operational within 48 hours of initial contact.