How to get MAS transportation (including wheelchair transportation in Islip, NY)

What MAS is and how it schedules your Long Island ride

MAS — Medical Answering Services — is the vendor New York State uses to schedule and approve Medicaid transportation across Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk Counties. When you call the MAS Medicaid guide line, MAS verifies your eligibility, matches your medical need to the right level of transport, and assigns an enrolled provider such as DachiPlus. You never pay the driver; the state pays the approved vendor directly. This is the same system whether you live in a big town or a small hamlet — an unincorporated community within a town, like Central Islip or Brentwood, that still falls under Islip and Suffolk County jurisdiction. To understand exactly how the pieces fit together, see our overview of how NEMT works under NY Medicaid and the broader picture of Medicaid coverage. The bottom line: MAS is the gatekeeper, and DachiPlus is the wheels — you request us, MAS approves it, and we handle the drive.

Step-by-step: how to get wheelchair transportation in Islip, NY

Getting wheelchair transportation in Islip, NY through MAS takes five clear steps. First, have your Medicaid CIN number ready — if you're unsure what that is, read what a CIN number is. Second, call MAS at 1-844-666-6270, the NYS Medicaid transportation phone number, at least 72 hours before your appointment. Third, describe your mobility needs precisely — if you use a wheelchair, say so, so MAS authorizes an ambulette or wheelchair van rather than a standard sedan. Fourth, give the appointment date, time, and the exact Suffolk County facility address. Fifth, request DachiPlus by name as your provider. Islip-area riders regularly use our wheelchair transportation on Long Island for dialysis, imaging, and specialist visits. Our vehicles offer transfer-to-seat service and secure wheelchair tie-downs. If you're weighing vehicle types, our guide to NEMT vs ambulette explains which one MAS is likely to approve for your situation.

The 72-hour rule and what happens if you miss it

New York requires most non-emergency Medicaid rides to be booked at least 72 hours (three business days) in advance through MAS. This lets MAS verify eligibility, confirm the medical justification, and assign a vendor with capacity — a process detailed in our breakdown of the Medicaid 72-hour rule in NY. Booking early also matters because Islip and neighboring Suffolk hamlets like Bay Shore, Bohemia, and Holbrook generate steady demand, and last-minute slots fill up. There are exceptions: hospital discharge transportation and urgent same-day needs follow an expedited MAS process you can request by phone. If you're being discharged from a facility such as Stony Brook University Hospital or Good Samaritan Hospital, the discharge planner can help initiate the ride so you're not stranded. For recurring trips — like a standing dialysis schedule — MAS can set up a standing order so you don't re-book every session. Learn more about how to book Medicaid transportation in NY.

Who qualifies — and what to do if you don't

You qualify for MAS transportation if you have active NY Medicaid and a covered medical appointment; MAS confirms this the moment you call. Eligibility for Medicaid itself is tied to income thresholds based on the federal poverty level — the government benchmark used to determine who falls within program limits — so if your household income sits below those figures, you likely qualify. Details on our page covering who qualifies for Medicaid transportation and Medicaid transportation eligibility in NY spell this out. If your income is too high, or you're on Medicare, MAS won't cover the ride — but you still have options in Islip and across Suffolk County. Original Medicare Part B and Part D (which covers prescription drugs, not routine transport) generally don't pay for NEMT, though many Medicare Advantage coverage plans do. You can also book DachiPlus directly with private pay coverage, or through long-term care insurance, VA Community Care, no-fault auto, or workers' comp. Compare the tradeoffs in Medicaid vs private pay.

Getting around Islip and Suffolk County without a car

MAS transportation is only for medical trips, so understanding your full mobility picture in Islip matters. Public options exist — Suffolk County Transit buses, and county resources you can find through the Suffolk County official site — but they rarely match a wheelchair user's door-to-door needs. MAS covers medical trips only. A ride to the pharmacy, a town office, or a social visit isn't covered, however reasonable it sounds — those are private-pay trips. For medical visits, however, DachiPlus is built for Islip: dialysis runs to Fresenius or DaVita centers, oncology trips, and post-surgical follow-ups. Explore our full menu of NEMT services and our Suffolk County service area. For a deeper look at car-free life on the Island, read how to get around Long Island without a car. Whichever way you pay, the goal is the same — safe, reliable, wheelchair-ready transport to the care you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the phone number for MAS Medicaid transportation in NY?

The NYS Medicaid transportation phone number for Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties) is Medical Answering Services (MAS) at 1-844-666-6270. Call at least 72 hours before your appointment and request DachiPlus by name as your transportation provider.

How do I get MAS transportation for a wheelchair in Islip, NY?

Call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours ahead, give your CIN number, appointment details, and tell them you use a wheelchair so they authorize an ambulette or wheelchair van. Then request DachiPlus, which serves Islip and all of Suffolk County.

Does MAS cover the cost of my ride?

Yes. If you have active NY Medicaid and a medical appointment, MAS arranges and pays the approved transportation for you at no out-of-pocket cost when it's booked through MAS and provided by an enrolled vendor like DachiPlus.

What if I don't qualify for Medicaid?

If your income exceeds the federal poverty level thresholds Medicaid uses, you can still book DachiPlus as private pay at (516) 754-7777, or use Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance, VA Community Care, no-fault auto, or workers' comp coverage.

How far in advance must I book MAS transportation?

New York's standard is at least 72 hours (3 business days) before a routine appointment. Hospital discharges and urgent same-day needs have separate expedited processes MAS can handle by phone.

Sources

• NY State Dept. of Health — Medicaid for Members
• Medical Answering Services (MAS)
• Suffolk County, NY — Official Site