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.

What is MAS (Medical Answering Services)?

Medical Answering Services, commonly called MAS, is the broker that manages Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation across most of New York State, including Long Island. MAS verifies your Medicaid eligibility, confirms your appointment, and assigns a transportation provider. You can request a specific provider, like DachiPlus, when you call.

How far in advance do I need to schedule a Medicaid ride in New York?

New York State requires Medicaid transportation requests be made at least three business days (72 hours) before your appointment. Urgent or same-day medical needs may qualify for expedited scheduling — call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 to confirm.

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.

What Is a Medicaid CIN Number and Where Do I Find It?

What is a Medicaid CIN number and where do I find it?

Your CIN (Client Identification Number) is the unique ID on your New York Medicaid card — it looks like two letters followed by five numbers (e.g., AA12345). MAS requires it to verify your eligibility when booking a Medicaid transportation trip. Find it in the upper right area of your Medicaid card, or call 1-800-664-1800 (NY Medicaid helpline) if you've lost your card.

The CIN is the one piece of information MAS absolutely requires before booking a transportation trip. Here's everything you need to know about it.

What is a Medicaid CIN number?

CIN stands for Client Identification Number. It is the unique identifier assigned to every New York State Medicaid member. Your CIN is used across all Medicaid services — including transportation — to verify that you are an active member and to look up your coverage details.

A New York Medicaid CIN follows this format: two letters + five numbers (for example, AB12345 or XY98765). It is sometimes also called a Medicaid ID number or Member ID, depending on which plan or document you're looking at.

Where do I find my CIN on my Medicaid card?

Your CIN appears on your New York Medicaid card (also called the Common Benefit Identification Card or CBIC). Look for it:

On the front of the card — typically in the upper right or center area, labeled "CIN," "Member ID," or "ID Number."
On correspondence from New York State Medicaid — any letter from the Department of Social Services or Office of Health Insurance Programs will reference your CIN.
On your Medicaid Managed Care plan's card — if you have Healthfirst, MetroPlus, Fidelis, or another managed care plan, your member ID on that card is typically your CIN.

What do I do if I lost my Medicaid card or don't know my CIN?

If you've lost your card or can't find your CIN, here are your options:

Call the NY Medicaid helpline at 1-800-664-1800. Have your name, date of birth, and address ready — they can look up your CIN.
Call your Medicaid Managed Care plan (Healthfirst, MetroPlus, Fidelis, etc.) — they can provide your member ID, which is your CIN.
Log into NY State of Health (nystateofhealth.ny.gov) if you enrolled through the marketplace — your CIN should be visible in your account.
Visit your local Department of Social Services office — they can verify your enrollment and give you a replacement card.

MAS cannot look up your CIN for you — you need to have it before calling to book a trip.

Why does MAS need my CIN to book transportation?

MAS uses your CIN to verify in real time that you are an active Medicaid member before authorizing a trip. This prevents unauthorized billing and ensures the provider is paid correctly. Without a valid CIN, MAS cannot confirm your eligibility, and the trip cannot be booked as a Medicaid-covered trip.

If your Medicaid coverage has lapsed (e.g., you missed a renewal), MAS will be unable to book the trip even if you have your CIN. In that case, contact your local DSS office to reinstate your coverage, or book with DachiPlus as a private-pay trip at (516) 754-7777.

Does my CIN number change if my Medicaid plan changes?

Your core CIN (the two-letter + five-number code) stays the same as long as you are enrolled in New York Medicaid, even if you switch between managed care plans. However, individual plan member IDs may differ. When calling MAS, use the CIN from your state-issued Medicaid card, not a plan-specific member ID — they should match, but the state CIN is definitive.