How to get a ride without money: medical transportation in Hicksville, NY and across Long Island

The free-ride benefit most people don't know they have

If you have active NY Medicaid, your ride to a covered appointment is free — you never hand a driver cash or a card. Across Nassau County, including Hicksville, that benefit is administered by Medical Answering Services (MAS), the state's transportation manager. When people search "how to get a ride without money," they're usually eligible for exactly this and don't realize it. Medicaid pays for non-emergency medical transportation to dialysis, chemotherapy, primary care, specialists, mental health visits, and more.

The trip has to be medically necessary and to a Medicaid-enrolled provider, but that covers the vast majority of routine appointments. To use it, call MAS at 1-844-666-6270, give your CIN (Client Identification Number), and request DachiPlus by name. There is no fare, no co-pay, and no reimbursement paperwork. To understand who's covered, see our guide to who qualifies for Medicaid transportation and the deeper MAS Medicaid guide.

Booking a free Medicaid ride in Nassau County: number, hours, and timing

For NEMT in Nassau County, the phone number is the MAS line — 1-844-666-6270 — not a local dispatcher. Many Hicksville residents ask for the "NEMT Nassau County phone number and hours," so here's the plain version: MAS handles booking and provider assignment; DachiPlus performs the ride Monday–Saturday, 6 AM–8 PM. When you call MAS, have your appointment date, time, pickup address, and destination ready, then request DachiPlus.

Timing matters. New York's rule is to book routine rides at least 72 hours (three business days) before the appointment, and late requests can be denied — see the Medicaid 72-hour rule. Hospital discharges and urgent standing needs like dialysis can be arranged faster. Our step-by-step walkthrough of how to book Medicaid transportation in NY covers the whole call, and how Medicaid transport works explains what happens after MAS assigns your trip across Nassau and Suffolk.

No Medicaid? Medicare Advantage and other free or low-cost paths

If you don't have Medicaid, a Medicare Advantage plan is the next most common way to ride for free on Long Island. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine rides to the doctor, and Part D covers prescription drugs — not transportation — so don't count on either for trips. But many Medicare Advantage plans bundle a set number of one-way rides per year as a supplemental benefit. Read our overview of Medicare Advantage transportation benefits and confirm your allowance with your plan.

Other low- or no-cost paths exist depending on your situation. If your need stems from a car crash, no-fault auto accident transportation is typically billed to the auto policy. A work injury can be covered under Workers Comp coverage. Veterans may qualify through VA Community Care coverage. And long-term care policies often reimburse rides — see Long Term Care Insurance coverage. The short answer to "does insurance pay for transportation to doctor appointments?" is: frequently, yes — it just depends on which coverage you hold.

Cheaper than a taxi: buses, senior rides, and rideshare compared

The lowest-cost public option in Nassau County is NICE Bus, while Suffolk County riders use Suffolk County Transit — a single HART/local bus fare runs a couple of dollars, far below a taxi. But fixed-route buses aren't practical for many patients after surgery, during chemo, or for wheelchair users, which is why NEMT exists. If you can't drive and don't yet have a covered benefit, our guide to getting around Long Island without a car lays out the realistic choices.

Seniors have extra doors to knock on: county Offices for the Aging and local programs subsidize some trips, detailed in free transportation for senior citizens on Long Island. Watch out for private brokers and mismatched providers — a company like Choice Transport LLC may serve one region but not your route, so always confirm coverage. Compared with rideshare or a cab, NEMT includes door-through-door help and trained drivers; our comparison of NEMT vs. rideshare and taxi explains when paying nothing through Medicaid beats a flat Uber fare.

When you'll pay something — and how to keep it small

You'll only pay out of pocket when no benefit applies, and even then DachiPlus keeps private pay straightforward for Hicksville and greater Nassau County riders. Accepted payment includes credit/debit, HSA/FSA, long-term care insurance, VA Community Care, no-fault auto, and workers' comp — see all coverage and payment options. Cost depends on distance, vehicle type, and whether you need wheelchair transportation on Long Island versus ambulatory sedan service.

Before you assume you have to pay, check every benefit you hold. Many families discover a parent's Medicaid or Medicare Advantage plan already covers the ride they were about to pay for. If you're a regular dialysis or infusion patient, standing orders through dialysis transportation can lock in $0 recurring trips through MAS. For enrollment questions — Medicaid covers a broad, diverse population statewide, and NY's data shows large white, Black, and Hispanic enrollment groups all using this benefit — start with our note on Medicaid transportation eligibility in NY. When in doubt, call and ask; a two-minute check can turn a paid trip into a free one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really get a ride to the doctor with no money on Long Island?

Yes. If you have active NY Medicaid, medically necessary rides in Nassau and Suffolk are covered at $0 out of pocket. Call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours ahead and request DachiPlus by name. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include a set number of free rides per year.

What if I don't have Medicaid or Medicare Advantage?

You may still qualify for low-cost options: some senior programs and county services subsidize rides, and no-fault auto or workers' comp can cover transport after a covered injury. For everything else, DachiPlus private pay accepts credit/debit, HSA/FSA, long-term care insurance, and VA Community Care.

Does insurance pay for transportation to doctor appointments?

Often, yes. NY Medicaid pays for non-emergency medical transportation through MAS; many Medicare Advantage plans include a transportation benefit; and no-fault auto and workers' comp cover injury-related trips. Original Medicare (Part A/B) generally does not cover routine NEMT.

What is the phone number and are there hours for NEMT in Nassau County?

For Medicaid rides in Nassau County, book through MAS at 1-844-666-6270. DachiPlus operates Monday–Saturday, 6 AM–8 PM, and can be reached for private pay at (516) 754-7777. Request DachiPlus by name when MAS asks for your provider.

How does the free Medicaid ride actually get booked?

You (or a caregiver) call MAS, give your CIN, appointment date, time, and address, and request DachiPlus. MAS assigns the trip; you pay nothing. Booking at least 72 hours before the appointment prevents denials for late requests.

Sources

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