# How much does a medical transport cost per hour? > How much does non emergency medical transportation on Long Island cost per hour? Learn how NEMT is really priced — per trip, mileage, and wait time — in Nassau & Suffolk. Source: https://dachiplus.com/resources/how-much-does-a-medical-transport-cost-per-hour/ Updated June 2026 Non emergency medical transportation on Long Island is rarely billed strictly by the hour — most NEMT is priced per one-way trip (a base fare plus mileage), with hourly or wait-time charges added only for wait-and-return or long-distance jobs. For an exact quote, call [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777), or Medicaid patients call MAS at [1-844-666-6270](tel:+18446666270). NEMT is usually billed per trip (base fare + mileage), not per hour; wait time and ambulette help add cost. Medicaid trips are free via MAS. **Medicaid:** call MAS at [1-844-666-6270](tel:+18446666270). **Private pay:** call [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777). ## Per hour vs. per trip: how NEMT is actually priced Most [non-emergency medical transportation](https://dachiplus.com/services/non-emergency-medical-transportation/) on Long Island is billed per one-way trip rather than per hour. A typical fare combines a base rate (which covers showing up, loading, and the first few miles) with a per-mile charge for the distance traveled. So a short hop from Hauppauge to a clinic in Smithtown costs far less than a run from Montauk to Stony Brook University Hospital — even if both take roughly the same amount of time in traffic. True hourly pricing does exist, but in narrow situations: a "wait-and-return" appointment where the vehicle and driver stay with you (common for short infusion or imaging visits), or certain long charters. If you came here expecting a single flat hourly number, that is why published answers vary so much. The honest answer is that there's no single per-hour figure — it depends on vehicle type, distance, and whether the crew waits. For a deeper breakdown, see our guide on [what NEMT costs](https://dachiplus.com/resources/what-does-nemt-cost/) across Nassau and Suffolk. ## What actually drives the cost in Nassau and Suffolk The biggest cost drivers are vehicle type, distance, and the level of assistance you need. A standard sedan trip for an ambulatory senior in Bay Shore is the lowest-cost option. A [wheelchair-accessible ride](https://dachiplus.com/services/wheelchair-transportation/) costs more because it requires a ramp- or lift-equipped van, four-point securement, and a trained driver — read more in our [wheelchair van explained](https://dachiplus.com/resources/wheelchair-van-explained/) article. An [ambulette](https://dachiplus.com/services/ambulette-service/) (offered through DachiPlus's licensed WAV partners) sits higher still, since it includes door-through-door help and sometimes a second attendant for stairs. Distance matters too: a ride from Greenlawn to Huntington Hospital is short, but a [long-distance transport](https://dachiplus.com/services/long-distance-medical-transport/) to a Manhattan specialist racks up miles. Other factors that nudge the price: wait-and-return time, weekend or early-morning pickups (DachiPlus runs Mon–Sat, 6 AM–8 PM), and whether a family member rides along. Knowing these variables before you call helps you compare the best non emergency medical transportation Long Island options apples-to-apples instead of chasing a vague "per hour" rate. ## When wait time and hourly charges really apply Hourly or wait-time charges typically apply only when the driver stays on-site instead of dropping you off and leaving. This is common for short, predictable appointments — a 90-minute [infusion](https://dachiplus.com/services/infusion-therapy-transportation/), a quick [wound-care](https://dachiplus.com/services/wound-care-transportation/) dressing change, or imaging at a facility like Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson where it isn't worth dispatching a second pickup. In those cases, a provider may quote a round-trip fare with included wait minutes, then bill extra time by the quarter-hour or hour. Recurring trips work differently. [Dialysis transportation](https://dachiplus.com/services/dialysis-transportation/) three times a week to a center like Fresenius Bay Shore or DaVita Smithtown is usually quoted per trip on a standing schedule, not per hour — see our [Long Island dialysis transport guide](https://dachiplus.com/resources/dialysis-transportation-long-island/). The takeaway: ask exactly what's included before you book. Our [questions to ask before booking](https://dachiplus.com/resources/questions-to-ask-before-booking/) checklist helps you avoid surprise wait-time fees. When in doubt, call [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777) and describe your appointment so we can quote it correctly. ## Who pays — and when the ride is free Many Long Island riders pay nothing per hour or per trip because their coverage handles it. If you have Medicaid, your medically necessary NEMT in Nassau and Suffolk is free — New York reimburses by trip and mileage, never by the hour, and you owe no copay. That's the answer for anyone searching "free non emergency medical transportation Long Island": coordinate through [Medicaid](https://dachiplus.com/pay/medicaid/) via MAS. Learn how the system works in our [NEMT and NY Medicaid](https://dachiplus.com/resources/how-nemt-works-ny-medicaid/) overview. Other payment paths include [Medicare Advantage](https://dachiplus.com/pay/medicare-advantage/) plans that bundle a transportation benefit, [no-fault auto](https://dachiplus.com/pay/no-fault-auto/) after a crash, [workers' comp](https://dachiplus.com/pay/workers-comp/), [long-term care insurance](https://dachiplus.com/pay/long-term-care-insurance/), and [VA Community Care](https://dachiplus.com/pay/va-community-care/) for veterans. If none apply, [private pay](https://dachiplus.com/pay/private-pay/) accepts credit, debit, HSA, and FSA cards. Unsure who covers you? Our [who pays for NEMT](https://dachiplus.com/resources/who-pays-for-nemt/) guide and the full [coverage options](https://dachiplus.com/pay/) page lay out every route. ## How to get a real quote instead of a guess The fastest way to learn your true cost — hourly, per trip, or free — is to give a dispatcher four details: pickup town, destination, vehicle type, and whether you need a wait-and-return. With those, DachiPlus quotes a clear fare before you commit, with no hidden per-hour padding. For example, a one-way [wheelchair](https://dachiplus.com/services/wheelchair-transportation/) ride from Centereach to a clinic differs from a wait-and-return imaging visit at [Good Samaritan Hospital](https://dachiplus.com/facilities/good-samaritan-hospital/) in West Islip, and we'll spell out each. If you're choosing among providers, our [how to choose an NEMT provider](https://dachiplus.com/resources/how-to-choose-nemt-provider/) guide explains what a trustworthy quote looks like and which red flags to avoid. DachiPlus serves every town across [Nassau County](https://dachiplus.com/service-area/nassau-county/) and [Suffolk County](https://dachiplus.com/service-area/suffolk-county/), from Amityville to Montauk. Ready for a number? Call [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777) for private pay, or [1-844-666-6270](tel:+18446666270) to coordinate a free Medicaid trip through MAS. ## Frequently Asked Questions Most NEMT on Long Island is billed per one-way trip — a base fare plus mileage — not per hour. Hourly billing usually appears only for wait-and-return appointments or long-distance jobs where the vehicle stays with you. Always ask how a provider structures fees before booking. No. New York Medicaid (coordinated through MAS) reimburses NEMT by trip type and mileage, not by the hour. If you have Medicaid, you pay nothing out of pocket — call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours ahead and request DachiPlus. Wheelchair and ambulette trips cost more than standard sedan NEMT because they require a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, securement equipment, and a trained attendant for door-through-door help. Stairs, wait time, and second attendants can add to the fare. Call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777 with your pickup town, destination, vehicle type (sedan, wheelchair, or ambulette), and whether you need a wait-and-return. We give a clear quote before you book — no surprise hourly charges. Yes — if you have Medicaid, your medically necessary rides in Nassau and Suffolk are free through MAS. Some Medicare Advantage and MLTC plans also cover trips. Private-pay riders pay a quoted fare. ## Book NEMT on Long Island Skip the guesswork on per-hour rates and get a clear, upfront quote. DachiPlus serves Nassau and Suffolk Counties with sedan, wheelchair, and ambulette transportation, Mon–Sat, 6 AM–8 PM. **Medicaid patients:** call MAS at [1-844-666-6270](tel:+18446666270) at least 72 hours before your appointment and request DachiPlus. **Private pay:** call DachiPlus directly at [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777). ## 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 ## Hospital-to-Home Transport Cost ## How Much Does Wheelchair Transport Cost? ## Long-Distance & Dialysis Transport Cost LI ## Airport Wheelchair Tipping & Ambulette Guide