# Is There Transportation for Dementia Patients to Medical Appointments?

> Yes, dementia patients on Long Island can get dedicated NEMT rides to medical appointments. Learn how Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and private pay work. Nassau & Suffolk County.

Source: https://dachiplus.com/resources/is-there-transportation-for-dementia-patients-to-medical-appointments/

## Photo: Ron Lach / Pexels

By [Nabeel Majahid](https://dachiplus.com/about/#owner), Owner

Updated September 2026

Yes — transportation for dementia patients to medical appointments exists on Long Island, and it is specifically designed for riders who need extra patience, door-through-door assistance, and a calm, consistent experience. DachiPlus serves Nassau and Suffolk Counties with trained drivers who understand cognitive impairment. Private-pay families can book directly at [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777); Medicaid patients call MAS at [1-844-666-6270](tel:+18446666270) at least 72 hours before the appointment.

Dementia patients in Nassau and Suffolk County can get NEMT rides to any covered medical appointment. Drivers provide door-through-door assist and can accommodate wheelchairs. **Medicaid:** call MAS at [1-844-666-6270](tel:+18446666270) 72 hrs ahead. **Private pay:** [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777).

## What Makes Dementia Transport Different From a Regular Medical Ride

Transportation for dementia patients requires more than a vehicle — it requires a driver who knows what to do when a passenger is confused, anxious, or uncooperative at the door. Standard rideshare and taxi drivers are not trained for this. A dedicated [Non-Emergency Medical Transportation](https://dachiplus.com/services/non-emergency-medical-transportation/) provider like DachiPlus builds extra time into the pickup, communicates directly with the caregiver, and keeps the same driver on a recurring run when possible — because a familiar face matters enormously to someone with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.

On Long Island, patients travel to a range of cognitive-care destinations: the North Shore neurology practices, the memory disorder clinic at Stony Brook University Hospital, adult day programs such as Parker Jewish Adult Day and Friendship Circle Adult Day in Nassau County, and outpatient psychiatric follow-ups at South Oaks Hospital in Amityville. Each of these trips has a different pickup dynamic, and a driver who handles only stable ambulatory passengers will not be prepared for all of them.

DachiPlus drivers are also briefed on the *door-through-door* standard: they wait at the patient's front door, escort the rider to the vehicle, and walk them inside the clinic — not just to the parking lot. That standard is non-negotiable for dementia passengers traveling without a caregiver.

## How Medicaid Covers Dementia-Related Appointments in Nassau and Suffolk

New York Medicaid pays for NEMT to any appointment that is covered by the patient's Medicaid plan — and that includes neurology visits, memory clinics, psychiatry, adult day programs, and infusion therapy for dementia-related conditions. The broker for Long Island is Medical Answering Services (MAS). Call [1-844-666-6270](tel:+18446666270) at least 72 hours before the appointment, explain the patient's cognitive condition, and ask for DachiPlus by name.

Telling MAS about the dementia diagnosis matters. The system can flag the trip for an aide seat, so a family member or home health aide may ride along at no extra charge. If the patient is in a wheelchair, MAS will order a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. For a full breakdown of how the 72-hour window works and what to do if you miss it, see the [Medicaid 72-hour rule guide](https://dachiplus.com/resources/medicaid-72-hour-rule-ny/). Families navigating MAS for the first time will also find the [MAS Medicaid guide](https://dachiplus.com/resources/mas-medicaid-guide/) helpful before they call.

Patients enrolled in a Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) plan often have transportation bundled into the plan. Check with the plan coordinator first, then call DachiPlus if the plan does not have a dedicated vehicle for cognitive-care runs. Our [Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) Transportation](https://dachiplus.com/services/mltc-transport/) page explains how that coordination typically works.

## Wheelchair-Accessible and Ambulette Options for Dementia Patients

Not every dementia patient uses a wheelchair, but many do — particularly in later stages of the disease or after a fall. DachiPlus operates wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) that secure the chair during transport, and works with licensed ambulette partners for patients who need a stretcher or additional medical oversight. If your family member can walk but is unsteady, a transfer-to-seat ride is usually the right fit: the driver assists with boarding, the passenger rides in a standard seat with a seatbelt, and the driver escorts them back out at the destination.

Suffolk County families traveling to [Stony Brook University Hospital](https://dachiplus.com/facilities/stony-brook-university-hospital/) or [Huntington Hospital](https://dachiplus.com/facilities/huntington-hospital/) for neurology appointments can request a WAV or ambulette directly when booking. Nassau County patients heading to North Shore University Hospital or LIJ Medical Center should specify mobility needs at the time of scheduling so the right vehicle is dispatched. For more on how ambulette and wheelchair transport differ, see [Ambulette vs. Ambulance vs. Wheelchair Van](https://dachiplus.com/resources/ambulette-vs-ambulance-vs-wheelchair-van/).

Our [Wheelchair User Medical Transportation](https://dachiplus.com/services/wheelchair-transportation/) page covers the full range of accessible vehicle options available through DachiPlus across Long Island.

## Adult Day Programs and Recurring Rides for Memory-Care Patients

Many dementia patients on Long Island attend adult day programs three to five days a week. Recurring rides — same time, same driver, same route — are the gold standard for this population because routine reduces anxiety and helps the patient cooperate with boarding. DachiPlus can set up standing weekly schedules for adult day program transport in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Programs such as Friendship Circle Adult Day, Cold Spring Hills Adult Day, Nassau Extended Care Adult Day, and Franklin Center Adult Day typically require that the patient arrives within a specific window. DachiPlus coordinates pickup times backward from the program's start time so the patient is never rushed. Our [Adult Day Program Transportation](https://dachiplus.com/services/adult-day-program-transportation/) page has specifics on how recurring ride scheduling works.

If the patient's condition has progressed to the point where they need a higher level of supervision than a driver can provide, a [Memory Care](https://dachiplus.com/who-we-serve/memory-care/) ride with a professional aide escort may be the better option. Talk to the patient's physician or care coordinator, who can document the medical necessity so Medicaid or the MLTC plan will cover the additional seat.

## Private Pay and Insurance Options for Families Not on Medicaid

Families who do not qualify for Medicaid — or who need a ride faster than the 72-hour window allows — can pay privately. DachiPlus accepts credit and debit cards, long-term care insurance, workers' compensation, no-fault auto, and VA Community Care benefits. Many long-term care policies specifically cover medical transportation, so check the policy's "ancillary services" or "home and community-based care" section before paying out of pocket. Our [Long Term Care Insurance coverage](https://dachiplus.com/pay/long-term-care-insurance/) page explains what documentation insurers typically ask for.

Medicare Advantage plans sold in Nassau and Suffolk Counties often include a supplemental transportation benefit for plan members. Coverage limits vary by plan — some cover a fixed number of one-way trips per year, others cover any medically necessary ride. See [Medicare Advantage transportation benefits](https://dachiplus.com/resources/medicare-advantage-transportation-benefits/) for what to ask when you call your plan. Veterans with a dementia diagnosis may qualify for rides through the VA Community Care program; our [Veterans Medical Transportation](https://dachiplus.com/services/veterans-medical-transport/) page has enrollment details.

To book a private-pay ride for a dementia patient in Nassau or Suffolk County, call DachiPlus at [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777) Mon–Sat, 6 AM–8 PM. Have the patient's address, destination, appointment time, mobility level, and any behavioral notes ready so we can match the right driver and vehicle.

## Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in most cases. Mild-to-moderate dementia does not disqualify someone from NEMT. DachiPlus drivers are trained to assist disoriented passengers calmly. If the patient wanders or needs hands-on redirection, a family member or aide can ride along at no extra charge under Medicaid rules.

Yes. New York Medicaid covers NEMT to any Medicaid-covered medical appointment, including neurology, memory clinics, adult day programs, and psychiatric follow-ups. Call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours ahead and request DachiPlus by name.

This is common with dementia. Drivers should never force a patient into a vehicle. Having a familiar family member present at pick-up dramatically reduces refusals. If refusal is frequent, talk to the patient's physician about scheduling rides during the patient's best time of day — usually mid-morning.

Yes. DachiPlus offers wheelchair-accessible vehicles that secure the chair during transport. For dementia patients who are ambulatory but unsteady, drivers provide door-through-door assist — from the front door of the home to the clinic entrance.

At least 72 hours before the appointment — that is New York's MAS rule. Private-pay rides with DachiPlus can usually be scheduled with shorter notice. Call (516) 754-7777 to check same-week availability.

## 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/)
- [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — Non-Emergency Medical Transportation](https://www.cms.gov/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination/Fraud-Prevention/Medicaid-Integrity-Education/Downloads/nemt-factsheet.pdf)

## Book a Ride for a Dementia Patient on Long Island

DachiPlus provides trained, patient drivers for memory-care passengers across Nassau and Suffolk Counties — whether the destination is a neurology clinic, adult day program, or specialist follow-up. We handle wheelchair-accessible vehicles, door-through-door escort, and recurring schedules.

**Medicaid patients:** call MAS at [1-844-666-6270](tel:+18446666270) at least 72 hours before the appointment and request DachiPlus by name. **Private pay / all other insurance:** call DachiPlus directly at [(516) 754-7777](tel:+15167547777), Mon–Sat 6 AM–8 PM.

## Rides for older adults with DachiPlus

DachiPlus drives older adults to medical appointments across Nassau and Suffolk, with an unhurried driver, help with walkers and canes, and a seat for a family member or aide. On Medicaid, ask MAS for DachiPlus by name; otherwise book with us directly.

## Related resources

Part of our guide to [medical rides for seniors](https://dachiplus.com/resources/topics/seniors-and-caregivers/).

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## Free Transportation for Senior Citizens on Long Island