# Who is eligible for Medicaid transportation in New York? > Who qualifies for free Medicaid medical transportation in New York? Eligibility rules, covered trip types, and what to do if you don't qualify. Source: https://dachiplus.com/resources/medicaid-transportation-eligibility-ny/ Updated May 2026 Free medical transportation through Medicaid is available to most active New York Medicaid members for medically necessary trips. Here are the specific eligibility rules. You qualify for free Medicaid medical transportation in New York if you are an active NY Medicaid member, traveling to a medically necessary appointment, and have no other free transportation option. In Nassau and Suffolk County, book through MAS at [1-844-666-6270](tel:+18446666270) and request **DachiPlus** as your provider. ## Medicaid transportation eligibility — the essentials ## Who qualifies for Medicaid medical transportation in NY? - You're an active New York State Medicaid member (Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care, HARP, dual-eligible). - You're traveling to a Medicaid-covered medical service (most appointments qualify). - You don't have another free transportation option (public transit, family, facility-arranged). ## What types of medical trips does Medicaid cover? - Doctor and specialist appointments - Dialysis (typically standing orders, three times per week) - Chemotherapy and radiation - Physical therapy and rehabilitation - Mental health and substance use treatment - Methadone clinics and opioid treatment programs - Diagnostic imaging and lab work - Dental visits covered under Medicaid - Pharmacy visits when medically necessary - Hospital discharges back home ## What trips does Medicaid transportation NOT cover? - Routine social transportation - Grocery shopping or errands - Trips to non-Medicaid-covered services - Companion-only trips with no medical service for the Medicaid member ## The criterion people get wrong — *no other transportation available* Of the three tests above, this is the one that causes the most avoidable denials — usually because members assume it disqualifies them when it does not. Owning a car does not automatically rule you out. The question MAS is actually asking is whether transport is available *for that trip, on that day*. A car that your spouse drives to work, a vehicle you can no longer drive because of the condition being treated, or a car that cannot carry a wheelchair are all genuine unavailability, and saying so plainly is the correct answer. The same applies to family. Having adult children in Nassau or Suffolk does not disqualify you if they work during your appointment hours. What matters on the call is specificity: *my daughter works in Manhattan until six* is an answer an agent can record and act on, whereas *nobody can take me* invites a follow-up question and, if unanswered, a denial. Public transit is judged the same way — the test is whether a realistic route exists for your mobility level and appointment time, not whether a bus route appears on a map. ## Eligibility is decided per trip, not once A surprising number of complaints come down to this. Being approved for dialysis transport does not carry over to a dental appointment; each request is checked afresh against whether that destination is a Medicaid-covered service on that date. Recurring treatment is the exception, and the reason standing orders exist — one authorisation covering a whole schedule, so a dialysis or methadone patient is not re-establishing eligibility three times a week. Level of service is a separate question again. Qualifying for transport does not by itself entitle you to a wheelchair-accessible vehicle; MAS assigns vehicle type from the mobility need recorded at booking. If a sedan arrives when you need a lift, that is almost always traceable to how mobility was described on the call rather than to a dispatch error — which is why it is worth describing your needs precisely, including a walker or an inability to manage steps unaided. ## If your trip is denied Ask the representative for the specific reason before you hang up, because most denials are correctable on the spot. The usual causes are a request made inside the 72-hour window, a destination MAS cannot match to a covered service, or an address it cannot resolve. If the appointment itself is not Medicaid-covered, the trip is still available through DachiPlus as a [private-pay booking](https://dachiplus.com/pay/private-pay/). And if you believe a denial is wrong, New York Medicaid members have the right to request a fair hearing from the State — a route worth knowing about before you need it. Our guide to [problems with Medicaid transport](https://dachiplus.com/resources/what-if-i-have-issues-with-medicaid-transport/) covers how to document an incident so a complaint carries weight. ## What if I don't qualify for Medicaid transportation? DachiPlus accepts private pay, Medicare Advantage transportation benefits, workers' compensation, no-fault auto, long-term care insurance, and HSA/FSA payments. Per [NY Medicaid transportation policy](https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/members/medtrans_overview.htm), coverage is for active members traveling to Medicaid-covered services. See our [coverage and pay](https://dachiplus.com/pay/) page for private options. ## Related questions ## How do I book Medicaid medical transportation in Suffolk or Nassau County? In New York, Medicaid transportation is coordinated through Medical Answering Services (MAS) at 1-844-666-6270. You call MAS at least 72 hours before your appointment, provide your Medicaid ID, appointment information, and any mobility needs, and request that DachiPlus be assigned as your provider. MAS will confirm the trip and notify us to dispatch a vehicle. ## How much does Medicaid medical transportation cost? Medicaid medical transportation is free to eligible Medicaid members. There is no copay, fare, or out-of-pocket cost for trips approved through MAS. The provider bills Medicaid directly. ## Does Medicare cover non-emergency medical transportation? Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine non-emergency medical transportation. Medicare typically covers ambulance services only in emergencies or when other transportation would endanger your health. However, many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include transportation as a supplemental benefit. Check your Medicare Advantage plan documents or ask DachiPlus to verify your coverage. ## What areas does DachiPlus serve? DachiPlus serves all of Suffolk County and Nassau County on Long Island. We also provide long-distance medical transportation from Long Island to specialty facilities throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. ## 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 ## Free Transportation for Medicaid Patients in New York — Who Qualifies ## How to Book Medicaid Transportation in New York ## How to Find a Medicaid Transportation Provider in New York ## Medicaid 72-Hour Rule: How Far Ahead to Book Rides in New York