Can a family member or companion ride along in a New York Medicaid transport vehicle?
Generally yes, with conditions. New York Medicaid NEMT policy allows one companion to accompany a Medicaid patient if:
- The companion's presence does not require a different vehicle type or size.
- There is physical room in the vehicle.
- The companion does not need to be separately transported (i.e., they are going to the same destination).
Medicaid does not pay for the companion's trip separately — the companion rides as a guest of the patient. The trip is billed as a single Medicaid trip for the patient only.
Always mention the companion when calling MAS to book. If the dispatcher does not know there will be two passengers, the driver may arrive in a vehicle without enough room, creating a problem on pickup day.
When does Medicaid cover a companion or attendant separately?
There is a distinction between a personal companion and a medically necessary attendant:
- Personal companion — a family member or friend who rides along for support or to help at the appointment. Medicaid does not cover this separately; they simply ride along.
- Medically necessary attendant — a caregiver, nurse aide, or support person whose presence during transport is medically necessary (e.g., a patient with severe dementia, a patient on oxygen who needs constant monitoring). In these cases, MAS may authorize the attendant's transportation separately under a specific attendant authorization code.
If your doctor has documented that a medical attendant is required for safe transport, ask your provider to submit that documentation to MAS. The attendant authorization must be in place before the trip, not after.
What is the difference between a companion and a medical attendant?
The key distinction is medical necessity. A companion is someone you want with you — a family member who helps at appointments, a spouse, an adult child. A medical attendant is someone whose presence is required for safety during transit — typically a trained caregiver or home health aide.
Companions ride along informally with driver approval. Attendants must be authorized by MAS in advance and may require a physician's order documenting the medical necessity.
Can a child accompany a Medicaid patient to their appointment?
Yes, in most cases a single child can accompany an adult Medicaid patient, particularly if there is no alternative childcare available. This is common for single parents attending medical appointments. Inform MAS and DachiPlus when booking so the driver is prepared for the additional passenger.
Children are not covered as separate Medicaid passengers — only the adult patient's trip is authorized. The child rides along as an informal companion.
What is DachiPlus's policy on ride-alongs?
DachiPlus allows one companion or family member to accompany a patient at no additional charge, provided you mention the companion when booking and the vehicle has room. We ask that companions be disclosed at booking — not at the door — so we can dispatch the right vehicle. Call us at (516) 754-7777 with any questions about a specific trip.