One of the most common misconceptions about medical transportation is that patients must pay out of pocket. In reality, the majority of NEMT trips on Long Island are paid by some form of insurance, government program, or benefit. Here is a complete breakdown of every payer DachiPlus works with and when each one applies.
| Covers NEMT? | Your cost | How to use it | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Medicaid | ✓ Yes | $0 | Call MAS 1-844-666-6270, request DachiPlus |
| Medicare Advantage (Part C) | Sometimes | $0 up to a limit | Check plan, then call DachiPlus |
| Original Medicare (A/B) | ✗ No (routine) | You pay privately | Pay privately — call DachiPlus |
| Workers’ compensation | ✓ Yes | $0 | Call DachiPlus with your claim number |
| No-fault auto insurance | ✓ Yes | $0 | Call DachiPlus with your accident claim |
| VA Community Care | ✓ Yes | $0 | Call with your VA authorization |
| Long-term care insurance | Often | Varies by policy | Check policy, then call DachiPlus |
| Private pay | ✓ Always | Distance-based fare | Call DachiPlus (516) 754-7777 |
Does New York Medicaid pay for NEMT?
Yes — and this is the largest single payer for NEMT in New York State. Any active NY Medicaid member traveling to a covered medical service qualifies for free transportation. There is no trip limit, no co-pay, and no deductible.
Booking goes through MAS (Medical Answering Services) at 1-844-666-6270. Call at least 72 business hours before the appointment. Have your Medicaid CIN (Client Identification Number) ready. Request DachiPlus for Nassau or Suffolk County.
DachiPlus is fully credentialed with MAS. When you call MAS to book a ride, you can ask for DachiPlus by name. MAS first decides the right type of transportation for your trip, then considers your choice of provider among the companies enrolled for that type, as the state's Medicaid Transportation Policy Manual (section 2.3) sets out. When MAS assigns the trip to us, we are paid directly by Medicaid. The patient pays nothing.
Does Medicare Advantage pay for NEMT?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover non-emergency transportation. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans often do — typically 24 to 60 one-way trips per year as a supplemental benefit.
When a patient calls DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777 with their Medicare Advantage plan name and member ID, we verify the transportation benefit and handle billing directly with the plan's transportation vendor. Most Long Island Medicare Advantage plans — UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana, Wellcare, Healthfirst — are accepted.
Does workers' compensation cover medical transportation in New York?
Yes. New York workers' compensation insurance covers NEMT when the trip is related to a workplace injury and is medically necessary. The insurer pays — not the patient. DachiPlus bills workers' comp carriers directly using the appropriate claim forms.
To use workers' comp billing: call DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777 and provide your claim number, date of injury, employer name, and the name of the workers' comp insurance carrier. We handle the rest. Transportation must be to a workers' comp-authorized medical provider.
Does no-fault auto insurance pay for NEMT after a car accident?
Yes. New York is a no-fault state, meaning Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage — which all New York auto insurance policies must carry — pays for medical expenses including transportation arising from a motor vehicle accident, regardless of fault.
DachiPlus bills no-fault carriers using the NF-3 form. To use no-fault billing: provide your claim number, the date of the accident, and your no-fault carrier name when you call. The benefit covers trips to all authorized medical treatment related to the accident — orthopedics, physical therapy, neurology, pain management, and more.
Does the VA Community Care program cover transportation for veterans?
Yes, in two ways. First, the VA Beneficiary Travel benefit reimburses eligible veterans for transportation costs to VA-authorized care — eligibility is based on distance, disability rating, or financial hardship. Second, VA Community Care authorizations for care at non-VA facilities can include NEMT when the VA determines transportation is needed.
DachiPlus works with VA Community Care authorizations for Long Island veterans. Call us at (516) 754-7777 with your VA authorization or VA referral letter and we arrange transportation and handle billing. The Northport VA Medical Center and VA outpatient clinics in Nassau and Suffolk County are common destinations.
Does long-term care insurance cover NEMT?
Many long-term care (LTC) insurance policies include transportation as a covered benefit when the policyholder has already met the ADL (Activities of Daily Living) eligibility threshold in the policy. Coverage is highly policy-specific — some policies cover any medical transportation, others limit coverage to trips related to covered home care services.
DachiPlus works with LTC insurance billing. Call us with your policy name, policy number, and the name of the insurer. We will verify coverage before the first trip and handle billing directly with the insurer. Common LTC insurers accepted include Genworth, Transamerica, Northwestern Mutual, John Hancock, and others.
What is the private-pay cost for NEMT with DachiPlus?
For patients paying out of pocket, DachiPlus charges a distance-based fare from our published rate card (a base charge per pickup plus a per-mile rate). Use the cost estimator for an instant quote. Long-distance trips to New York City specialty centers (Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYU Langone, Weill Cornell) are quoted by route. Payment by credit or debit card is accepted. DachiPlus provides itemized receipts for all private-pay trips, which can be used for tax deduction purposes.
Private-pay patients can book same-day with no advance notice required. Call (516) 754-7777.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does workers' compensation pay for transportation to medical appointments in New York?
Yes. New York workers' compensation (including no-fault auto) covers NEMT related to a workplace injury when transportation is medically necessary. DachiPlus bills workers' comp carriers directly using the NF-3 form for no-fault or the appropriate WC billing form. The patient pays nothing out of pocket for covered trips.
Does the VA pay for medical transportation for Long Island veterans?
Yes, through the VA Community Care program and the Beneficiary Travel benefit. Veterans who meet mileage or hardship eligibility criteria can be reimbursed for or have transportation arranged to VA-authorized care. DachiPlus works with VA Community Care authorizations. Call us at (516) 754-7777 with your authorization information.
Does long-term care insurance cover medical transportation?
Many long-term care insurance policies include transportation as a covered service, particularly for policyholders already meeting the ADL eligibility threshold. Coverage is policy-specific. DachiPlus works with LTC insurance billing — call (516) 754-7777 with your policy information and we verify coverage before your first trip.
How does DachiPlus bill no-fault auto insurance for NEMT?
New York no-fault (Personal Injury Protection) insurance covers medical transportation for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. DachiPlus handles NF-3 billing directly with the insurer. You will need to provide your claim number and the name of your no-fault carrier. The patient pays nothing for covered no-fault trips.