Medical transportation for wheelchair users on Long Island

Who we transport

DachiPlus currently transports wheelchair users who use a standard manual folding wheelchair and can transfer to a vehicle seat for the duration of the ride. This covers the majority of wheelchair users who have a medical appointment to get to.

Specifically, we serve passengers who:

• Use a standard manual folding wheelchair (the kind that folds flat — not a rigid-frame or power wheelchair)
• Can stand and transfer to the vehicle seat with driver assistance
• Need their wheelchair for mobility at the pickup and destination but do not need to remain in the chair during transport

We are not currently able to transport patients who:

• Use a power wheelchair or motorized scooter
• Cannot transfer out of their wheelchair for any portion of the trip
• Require a lift or ramp for vehicle entry (ambulette service)

If you are in either of the above categories, please see the section on ambulette service below, or call us at (516) 754-7777 to discuss your specific situation.

How the trip works

Here is exactly what happens on a DachiPlus trip for a wheelchair user:

1. Driver arrives at your door. The driver comes to your home entrance — not to the curb. They are ready to assist before the vehicle door is even opened.
2. Transfer to the vehicle seat. The driver helps you stand (if needed), steadies you during the transfer, and ensures you are safely seated and belted in the vehicle.
3. Wheelchair is folded and stored. After you are seated, the driver folds your wheelchair and places it in the trunk or cargo area. It is not stored near or under your feet.
4. Drive to your appointment. A smooth, unhurried ride to your medical appointment.
5. Arrival at the facility. The driver retrieves your wheelchair from the trunk, opens it, and helps you transfer back into it at the facility entrance. They walk you to the door before leaving.
6. Return trip. The driver meets you at the exit of the facility at the end of your appointment. The same sequence applies in reverse.

Throughout the trip, your driver is aware that mobility and stamina vary day to day. If you are fatigued after your appointment or need a moment to stabilize before the transfer back to the car, we wait.

What to expect on the day

A few things to know for a smooth trip:

• Boarding time. We plan for extra time at pickup for wheelchair-assisted boarding. You won't feel rushed. Your departure time accounts for the full boarding process, not just the drive time.
• Driver patience is standard, not exceptional. At DachiPlus, patient, unhurried service is the baseline — not something you have to ask for. Our drivers know that wheelchair-assisted transfers take time and that the passenger sets the pace.
• Communicating your needs. When you book, tell us exactly what type of wheelchair you use, whether you need hands-on assistance with the transfer, and any other relevant information (such as oxygen use, a companion riding with you, or a specific entrance to use at the facility).
• Day-of contact. If anything changes on the day of your trip — your appointment time shifts, you're running behind, or you need the return pickup at a different time — call us at (516) 754-7777 as early as possible.

Ambulette service — coming soon

Some wheelchair users cannot transfer to a standard vehicle seat. They need a vehicle equipped with a hydraulic lift or ramp that allows the wheelchair to enter the vehicle and be secured for the entire trip — this is ambulette service, also called wheelchair van (WAV) service.

DachiPlus currently handles ambulette coordination through our Medicaid referral network, connecting patients who need this level of service with licensed ambulette providers. We are actively adding wheelchair-accessible vans to our own fleet — when our WAV fleet is operational, we will provide ambulette service directly.

If you need ambulette service now, call us at (516) 754-7777 and we will help you access the right provider. Medicaid members can also request ambulette service directly through MAS — be specific about your needs when you call so MAS assigns the correct vehicle type.

See our ambulette service page for current information on this upcoming offering, and our guide on the difference between an ambulette, ambulance, and wheelchair van.

Medicaid transportation for wheelchair users

New York Medicaid covers transportation for wheelchair users to and from Medicaid-covered medical appointments. The key is communicating your mobility needs correctly when you call MAS, so the right vehicle type is assigned.

When you call MAS at 1-844-666-6270 to book your trip:

• Tell MAS that you use a manual folding wheelchair and can transfer to a vehicle seat. This is classified as "ambulatory with mobility device" or "wheelchair transferable" — the specific term may vary, but what matters is making clear that you do not need to remain in the chair during the ride.
• If you are instead unable to transfer and need to remain in your wheelchair during transport, tell MAS you need an ambulette (wheelchair van). MAS will assign an appropriate vehicle.
• Request DachiPlus as your provider. If we serve your trip type and area, the trip is assigned to us.
• Get your confirmation number and note any special instructions.

For the complete step-by-step MAS process, see our MAS Medicaid transportation guide.

Tips for a smooth trip

Based on what our drivers and passengers have found makes the biggest difference:

• Arrive ready at the scheduled time. Being ready at the door when your driver arrives means the boarding process can start immediately — and you're more likely to reach your appointment with time to spare. If you need assistance getting ready before pickup, factor that into your schedule.
• Communicate your wheelchair at booking, not on the day. When you call to arrange the trip, tell the booking agent about your wheelchair, any specific transfer assistance you need, and any equipment you're bringing (oxygen, IV pole, crutches). Day-of surprises are manageable, but advance notice lets us prepare correctly.
• Companion seating. A family member, home health aide, or caregiver is welcome to ride with you at no additional cost on most trips. Tell us at booking if you'll have a companion so we can confirm seating. See our guide on companions riding along for Medicaid trips.
• Return trip timing. If your appointment is with a specialist or involves a procedure, the return pickup time may need to be flexible. When you book, give us your best estimate of appointment duration — and call us as soon as you know the actual end time so we can adjust the pickup.