# Ambulette service on Long Island — what it is and who needs it > What is an ambulette? Who needs one vs. a standard NEMT sedan? Long Island ambulette service explained — costs, Medicaid coverage, and how DachiPlus coordinates WAV transport. Source: https://dachiplus.com/resources/ambulette-service-long-island/ Updated May 2026 An ambulette is a wheelchair-accessible van (WAV) where the passenger remains secured in their wheelchair during the trip. It differs from a standard NEMT sedan, which requires the patient to transfer to a vehicle seat. DachiPlus coordinates ambulette service through licensed WAV partners across Nassau and Suffolk County. Call [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777) to arrange. Understanding the difference between ambulette and standard NEMT helps you book the right vehicle — and avoid delays when the wrong type shows up. ## Ambulette service essentials ## What is an ambulette? An **ambulette** is a wheelchair-accessible van equipped with a hydraulic lift or ramp, floor-track securement systems, and tie-down straps that hold the wheelchair in place during transit. The passenger never leaves their wheelchair — they board, the chair is secured, and they ride to their destination seated in their own chair. Ambulettes are staffed by trained drivers (sometimes called ambulette attendants) who are certified in wheelchair securement and passenger assistance. In New York State, ambulettes must be licensed by the Department of Health and carry specific commercial vehicle insurance. The ambulette is also referred to as a **WAV** (wheelchair-accessible vehicle) or **accessible van**. ## Who needs an ambulette vs. a standard NEMT vehicle? The key question is: **can the passenger transfer from their wheelchair to a standard vehicle seat?** - **Ambulette required** — passenger cannot safely transfer to a vehicle seat, uses a power wheelchair, uses a tilt/recline wheelchair, or has a condition (stroke, advanced MS, ALS, severe contractures) that makes transfer medically unsafe. - **Standard NEMT sedan** — passenger can safely transfer to a vehicle seat with driver assistance; their manual wheelchair is folded and stored in the trunk. When calling MAS or DachiPlus, be specific about whether the patient can transfer. Saying "wheelchair user" without clarifying often results in a sedan dispatch — and a missed appointment when the driver arrives and finds the patient cannot transfer. ## Does Medicaid cover ambulette service in New York? Yes. New York Medicaid covers ambulette service as part of the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) benefit for eligible members. The booking process goes through [MAS (Medical Answering Services)](https://wp2.medanswering.com/) at [1-844-666-6270](tel:+18446666270), exactly like a standard NEMT trip — you just specify wheelchair vehicle or ambulette when describing your mobility needs. Per [NY State DOH NEMT policy](https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/members/medtrans_overview.htm), the vehicle type authorized must match the member's documented mobility needs. If your doctor has documented that you cannot transfer, MAS must authorize an ambulette, not a sedan. ## How does DachiPlus coordinate ambulette transport? DachiPlus currently operates ambulatory sedans and SUVs — vehicles for passengers who can transfer to a standard seat. For passengers who cannot transfer and require an in-vehicle wheelchair securement (true ambulette service), DachiPlus coordinates through licensed WAV partner providers in Nassau and Suffolk County. In practice this means: - Call DachiPlus at [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777) or book through MAS, specifying ambulette/wheelchair-accessible vehicle. - We confirm with a licensed WAV partner for your trip date and time. - A credentialed ambulette dispatches to your address. - Billing flows through the same Medicaid/private-pay process. ## What securement actually involves, and how long it takes The part of an ambulette trip people underestimate is the loading. A chair is not simply rolled aboard and driven away: it is positioned on the lift or ramp, brought into the vehicle, aligned in the securement area, and anchored at four points to floor tracks, after which the rider gets a separate lap-and-shoulder belt of their own. The chair's own brakes play no part in this — they are not designed to hold a chair against the forces of a moving vehicle, and a chair restrained only by its brakes is genuinely unsafe. Done properly this takes several minutes at each end, and that is the honest reason an ambulette pickup window is wider than a sedan's. It is worth allowing for rather than resenting: a driver who is being careful about tie-down points is doing the part of the job that matters most. If a driver ever appears ready to travel without anchoring the chair, that is a reason to stop the trip and call the office. ## Getting the vehicle right the first time Ambulette dispatch depends on details that only you can supply, and a mismatch usually traces back to something unsaid rather than something misheard. The essentials are the chair type — manual, power, or scooter, which behave quite differently on a ramp — and whether it is unusually wide, tall, or heavy, since lift capacity covers chair and occupant together. A tilt-in-space or high-backed chair is worth mentioning specifically, because headroom in a lowered-floor van is more limited than it looks. The pickup itself matters just as much as the vehicle. Steps without a ramp, a narrow interior hallway, a building lift that is out of service, or a driveway too tight for a high-roof van will each stop a correctly specified vehicle from completing a trip. Mention any of them at booking so the right vehicle and enough time are allocated, and so an alternative — a different exit, or a transfer-to-seat arrangement — can be agreed in advance rather than negotiated on a doorstep. ## How much does ambulette service cost on Long Island? For **Medicaid members**: nothing out-of-pocket. Medicaid covers ambulette service at the authorized rate, paid directly to the provider. You call MAS, specify your mobility needs, and ride at no cost. For **private-pay**: ambulette trips on Long Island typically run higher than sedan NEMT due to vehicle cost and licensing requirements. Call [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777) for a current quote — rates depend on distance, trip type, and scheduling window. ## Ambulette service — FAQ ## How do I book Medicaid medical transportation in Suffolk or Nassau County? In New York, Medicaid transportation is coordinated through Medical Answering Services (MAS) at 1-844-666-6270. You call MAS at least 72 hours before your appointment, provide your Medicaid ID, appointment information, and any mobility needs, and request that DachiPlus be assigned as your provider. MAS will confirm the trip and notify us to dispatch a vehicle. ## How much does Medicaid medical transportation cost? Medicaid medical transportation is free to eligible Medicaid members. There is no copay, fare, or out-of-pocket cost for trips approved through MAS. The provider bills Medicaid directly. ## How much does private-pay medical transportation cost on Long Island? Private-pay rates depend on trip type, distance, and vehicle. Ambulatory trips within Suffolk or Nassau typically start around $50–$75. Wheelchair-accessible trips start around $90–$120. Long-distance trips are quoted by route. Wait time and return trips may carry additional charges. Call (516) 754-7777 for an exact quote. ## What areas does DachiPlus serve? DachiPlus serves all of Suffolk County and Nassau County on Long Island. We also provide long-distance medical transportation from Long Island to specialty facilities throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. ## Sources - [Medical Answering Services (MAS) — NY Medicaid transportation broker](https://www.medanswering.com/) - [NY State Dept. of Health — Medicaid for Members](https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/members/) ## Related resources ## Airport Wheelchair Tipping & Ambulette Guide ## Ambulette Service Near Me for Seniors ## Who Needs Non-Emergency Medical Transport? ## Ambulette to Uniondale Train Station