The six payers that fund NEMT on Long Island
Across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, non-emergency medical transportation is paid by one of six sources, and you rarely hand a driver cash. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation is typically billed to Medicaid (through the MAS broker), a Medicare Advantage transportation benefit, no-fault auto insurance, workers' compensation, long-term care insurance, VA Community Care, or private pay. The first question isn't "how much" — it's "who covers your medical care?" That answer determines the payer. Unlike a rideshare app where every fare lands on your own card, NEMT is a medical benefit tied to a covered appointment. A dialysis patient traveling to Stony Brook University Hospital or a Fresenius center in Bay Shore usually has the ride paid by Medicaid or their Medicare Advantage plan — not by them. If you're unsure which bucket you fall into, our Coverage & payment options page maps each payer, or call (516) 754-7777 and we'll help you identify who should be billed before you ever ride.
Medicaid pays through MAS — and covers the full fare
If you have NY Medicaid, the Medical Answering Services (MAS) broker authorizes and pays for your ride, so you owe nothing out of pocket for covered trips. To use it, call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours before your appointment and request DachiPlus by name — the Medicaid 72-hour rule matters because late requests can be denied. Medicaid covers rides to covered medical care throughout Nassau and Suffolk, including dialysis, chemotherapy, wound care, and specialist visits. Whether you qualify depends on income; New York bases Medicaid eligibility on household size, so a family of three and a household with children each have their own income limits set by the state — our eligibility guide explains how to check yours. You'll also need an active CIN number, explained in this walkthrough. For county-specific steps, see Medicaid transportation in Suffolk County. Medicaid covers the level of service you medically need — wheelchair transportation or ambulette service — not just a basic sedan.
Medicare Advantage, VA, and long-term care insurance
Original Medicare almost never pays for routine NEMT, but Medicare Advantage plans, VA Community Care, and long-term care policies often do. Many Medicare Advantage plans on Long Island include a supplemental transportation benefit — a set number of one-way trips per year to plan-approved medical destinations. Read your plan's evidence of coverage, or call us and we'll help confirm whether your allowance applies before you book; our Medicare Advantage benefits guide covers the details. Veterans in Nassau and Suffolk may qualify for rides through VA Community Care, described in this VA transportation resource. And if you or a loved one has a long-term care insurance policy — common among seniors in senior transportation and managed long-term care arrangements — those plans frequently reimburse non-medical and medical transport. Each of these payers can be billed by DachiPlus once benefits are verified. Call (516) 754-7777 to check.
No-fault auto and workers' comp: the injury payers
If your need for transport stems from a car accident or a workplace injury, the responsible insurance carrier — not you — pays for the ride. New York no-fault auto coverage pays for medically necessary transportation tied to a covered crash, including trips to physical therapy and follow-up imaging; see our accident injury page for how billing works. Similarly, workers' compensation covers rides to authorized treatment for an on-the-job injury. Both of these payers are worth flagging because patients often assume they must front the cost, then wait for reimbursement — when in fact DachiPlus can bill the carrier or attorney directly. This is especially relevant after surgery. If a covered injury led to an operation, anesthesia leaves you unable to drive safely for the rest of the day, and typical post-surgery symptoms — grogginess, nausea, limited mobility — are exactly why discharge instructions require a responsible driver. Our post-surgery and hospital discharge service handles that ride from hospitals like Good Samaritan or Huntington Hospital back home to towns like Brentwood.
Private pay: when you cover it yourself
When no insurance applies, private pay lets you book any NEMT ride and pay directly — with clear, upfront pricing. People sometimes compare NEMT to a rideshare app: Uber uses dynamic pricing that rises with demand, offers ride tiers from UberX to XL, and charges a card or wallet on file. NEMT works differently. A private-pay medical ride is quoted based on distance, level of service (ambulatory vs. wheelchair), and any waiting time — not surge pricing — and DachiPlus accepts credit, debit, HSA, and FSA cards. Because HSA/FSA funds cover medical transportation, private pay can be more affordable than it first appears. For cost ranges, see wheelchair transport cost and what NEMT costs. Note that DachiPlus serves only Long Island — Nassau and Suffolk Counties — so searches for "wheelchair transportation Brentwood CA cost" point to California providers, not us; our Brentwood is in Suffolk. When you're weighing options, our guides on NEMT vs. rideshare and Medicaid vs. private pay help you choose. Call (516) 754-7777 for a same-day quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for non-emergency medical transportation on Long Island?
For eligible patients, NY Medicaid pays through the MAS broker (call 1-844-666-6270). Others pay via Medicare Advantage benefits, workers' comp, no-fault auto, long-term care insurance, VA Community Care, or private pay by calling DachiPlus at (516) 754-7777.
Does Medicaid cover the full cost of NEMT rides?
Yes. When MAS approves your ride and you request DachiPlus at least 72 hours before a covered medical appointment in Nassau or Suffolk County, Medicaid pays the transportation provider directly — you typically owe nothing out of pocket.
Can I pay privately for a wheelchair transport myself?
Yes. Private pay covers rides not billed through insurance. DachiPlus accepts credit, debit, HSA, and FSA cards. Call (516) 754-7777 for a quote based on your Long Island pickup, destination, and mobility needs.
Does Medicare pay for routine NEMT on Long Island?
Original Medicare rarely pays for non-emergency transportation, but many Medicare Advantage plans include a limited ride benefit. Check your plan's transportation allowance, then call DachiPlus to confirm coordination.
Who pays after a car accident or work injury?
No-fault auto insurance covers rides tied to a covered crash, and workers' compensation covers rides for a work injury. DachiPlus can bill these carriers directly — call (516) 754-7777 to set it up.
Book NEMT on Long Island
Not sure who pays for your ride? DachiPlus serves Nassau and Suffolk Counties and helps you identify the right payer before you book — Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, no-fault, workers' comp, LTC insurance, VA Community Care, or private pay.
Medicaid patients: call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 at least 72 hours before your appointment and request DachiPlus.
Private pay: call DachiPlus directly at (516) 754-7777.