How Do You Call a Non-Emergency Ambulance?

911 vs. a Non-Emergency Ambulance: Know the Difference

Call 911 only for emergencies; for stable, scheduled trips you call a non-emergency medical transportation provider. On Long Island, most people who search for a "non-emergency ambulance" actually need an ambulette service or a wheelchair van — a seated ride for patients who are medically stable but can't easily drive or take a taxi. A 911 ambulance is staffed by paramedics for time-critical care and can't be scheduled for a Tuesday dialysis run. Non-emergency Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) covers routine visits: dialysis at Fresenius Bay Shore, chemotherapy, physical therapy, or discharge from Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip. If you're unsure which level fits, our guide on ambulette vs. ambulance vs. wheelchair van breaks it down. Across Nassau County and Suffolk County, DachiPlus provides seated, wheelchair-accessible transport with the wheelchair secured — no sirens, no ER, just a reliable ride to your appointment.

The Exact Numbers to Call on Long Island

Which number you dial depends entirely on who pays. Private-pay riders in Nassau and Suffolk simply call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777 — Monday through Saturday, 6 AM to 8 PM — and book directly. Medicaid members must go through the state's transportation broker: call MAS (Medical Answering Services) at 1-844-666-6270, request a ride, and ask for DachiPlus by name so we're assigned. This two-track system trips up a lot of families. People searching for a "medicaid transportation Hicksville Queens New York phone number" or an "ambulette Babylon Medicaid office number" are often looking for the wrong desk — in the Long Island region there's no local Medicaid transportation office you walk into; MAS handles it by phone for Nassau and Suffolk. Note that parts of Queens fall under New York City's broker system instead. Our MAS Medicaid guide and the Medicaid coverage walkthrough explain exactly how to reach the right line for your county.

How to Book Step by Step

Booking a non-emergency ambulance takes about five minutes if you have your details ready. Have on hand: your pickup address, the facility name and address (say, St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson or DaVita Smithtown), the appointment date and time, and whether you use a wheelchair. For Medicaid, you'll also need your CIN (Client Identification Number) — see what a CIN number is. Then:

• Medicaid: Call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours before your appointment (New York's 72-hour rule), request DachiPlus, and confirm the trip type.
• Private pay, Medicare Advantage, or workers' comp: Call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777, or use our online booking.

DachiPlus serves every town from Amityville and Babylon to Huntington and Coram. Not sure what to ask? Our questions to ask before booking checklist keeps the call short. For a fuller how-to, read how to book Medicaid transportation in NY.

Brokers and Providers: Modivcare, MTM Link, and MAS

The name of your Medicaid transportation broker depends on where you live, so confirm it before calling. In the Long Island region — all of Nassau and Suffolk — the broker is MAS at 1-844-666-6270, which arranges rides and assigns providers like DachiPlus. In other parts of New York and across the country, brokers such as Modivcare and MTM Link handle the same job. Modivcare's features typically include a member phone line, a ride-tracking app, and mileage reimbursement in some plans; MTM Link's member portal lets you request and view trips online where MTM is the broker. These are common Medicaid transportation providers, but they don't cover the same regions — so a Queens address may route through a different broker than a Hicksville, Nassau County address. If your Medicare Advantage plan (not Medicaid) includes a transportation benefit, that's a separate process; see Medicare Advantage transportation benefits. When in doubt, our how to find a Medicaid transportation provider guide points you to the right line.

Who Uses Non-Emergency Transport — and What It Covers

Non-emergency transport serves anyone who is medically stable but can't drive themselves safely to care. That includes dialysis patients riding three times a week, seniors heading to cardiology, patients recovering from surgery, and people using a wheelchair. DachiPlus offers wheelchair transportation on Long Island with transfer-to-seat assistance and secured wheelchairs, plus dedicated dialysis transportation to centers like Fresenius Commack and DaVita Selden, and senior medical transportation across Nassau and Suffolk. Coverage options are broad: Medicaid (via MAS), Medicare Advantage, private pay by credit/debit/HSA/FSA, workers' comp, no-fault auto, long-term care insurance, and VA Community Care — see all coverage and payment options. Whether you're leaving Huntington Hospital after a procedure or getting to infusion therapy in Hauppauge, a non-emergency ambulette gets you there on schedule without the cost or urgency of a 911 call. Curious whether NEMT fits your situation? Read who needs non-emergency medical transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a non-emergency ambulance the same as a 911 ambulance?

No. A 911 ambulance is for emergencies with paramedics and lights-and-sirens response. A non-emergency medical transportation vehicle — an ambulette or wheelchair van — is a scheduled, seated ride for stable patients going to routine appointments like dialysis or physical therapy on Long Island.

What phone number do I call for non-emergency transport in Nassau or Suffolk?

Private-pay riders call DachiPlus directly at (516) 754-7777. Medicaid members call MAS (Medical Answering Services) at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours before the appointment and ask for DachiPlus by name.

How far ahead do I need to book?

For Medicaid rides, New York's rule asks you to book at least 72 hours before your appointment. Private-pay bookings can often be arranged same-day or next-day by calling DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777, subject to availability.

Who arranges Medicaid transportation in Hicksville, Queens, or Babylon?

In the Long Island region (Nassau and Suffolk), Medicaid transportation is arranged through MAS at 1-844-666-6270. In New York City, including parts of Queens, brokers such as Modivcare or MTM Link handle trips. Always confirm which broker covers your county before booking.

Do I need a doctor's order to call a non-emergency ambulance?

For Medicaid-covered ambulette trips, your provider typically documents medical necessity so MAS can approve the level of service. Private-pay riders can book DachiPlus without prior authorization by calling (516) 754-7777.

Sources

• NY State Dept. of Health — Medicaid for Members
• Medical Answering Services (MAS) — NY Medicaid Transportation
• Medicare.gov — Ambulance Services