In short:
- NEMT (Non-Emergency Medical Transportation) is a federally required Medicaid benefit that covers rides to medical appointments for members who don’t have another way to get there.
- It’s managed in NY by a state-contracted broker, Medical Answering Services (MAS), not by individual doctors’ offices.
- Qualifying is based on having an active Medicaid case and a covered appointment, not a special application or approval process for standard rides.
- Higher-need ride types (ambulette, ambulance) may require documentation of medical necessity, standard car service usually doesn’t.
- Setting it up takes one phone call, 72 hours before your appointment, with your Medicaid ID ready.
If you’ve heard the term “NEMT” and aren’t sure what it actually means or how it’s different from just calling a cab, here’s the direct answer: NEMT is a Medicaid benefit, required by federal law, that covers transportation to and from medical appointments for members who need it. It’s not a favor from your doctor’s office, it’s something you’re entitled to.
What NEMT actually is
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation is a mandatory Medicaid benefit under federal Medicaid rules; every state Medicaid program has to offer some version of it. In New York, the state contracts with a transportation broker, Medical Answering Services (MAS), to manage scheduling, ride assignment, and quality review across most of the state, including Brooklyn and Queens.
This is different from Medicaid covering the treatment itself. NEMT is purely about getting you to and from a covered appointment, it doesn’t pay for the appointment or the services provided there.
Who qualifies
You qualify for NEMT if:
- You have an active Medicaid case, and
- You have a covered medical appointment (like a pain management visit), and
- You don’t have another way to get there (no car, no one available to drive you, or a medical reason you can’t use standard transportation)
For most patients using standard car service or public transit reimbursement, there’s no separate application or approval process, you just call and book. Higher-acuity ride types, like an ambulette for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, may require your provider to confirm the medical need.
Ride types, explained
- Public transit reimbursement: for patients able to travel independently by bus or subway.
- Taxi or livery (car service): the standard option for most ambulatory patients.
- Ambulette: wheelchair-accessible vehicles for patients who need assistance getting in and out.
- Ambulance (ALS/BLS): reserved for higher medical need, uncommon for routine pain management visits.
- Personal vehicle mileage reimbursement: if a friend or family member drives you.
How to set it up
- Confirm your appointment details (date, time, location) first.
- Call Medical Answering Services at 844-666-6270 (Brooklyn/Queens region), or book online at medanswering.com.
- Have your Medicaid CIN (the ID number on your card) ready.
- Request both legs of the trip, there and back, in the same call.
- Call at least 72 hours ahead of your appointment. Same-day requests are much harder to accommodate.
If you’re in a Medicaid managed care plan (Fidelis, Healthfirst, MetroPlus, Affinity, and similar), check your card first, some plans route transportation through their own vendor instead of MAS.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up Medicaid transportation in NY?
Call Medical Answering Services at 844-666-6270 (for Brooklyn and Queens) or book online at medanswering.com, at least 72 hours before your appointment. Have your Medicaid ID number ready.
How do you qualify for Medicaid transportation?
You need an active Medicaid case and a covered medical appointment without another way to get there. Standard car service for ambulatory patients typically doesn’t require extra documentation; higher-need ride types like an ambulette may need confirmation of medical necessity.
What is the phone number for NYS Medicaid transportation?
For Brooklyn and Queens, call Medical Answering Services (MAS) at 844-666-6270. New York uses regional numbers, so this may differ elsewhere in the state.
What is Medical Answering Services (MAS)?
MAS is the company New York State contracts with to schedule and manage Medicaid non-emergency transportation. They’re not part of your doctor’s office or your Medicaid plan directly, they’re the state’s transportation broker.
Does Medicaid cover ambulette service?
Yes, for patients who need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle or assistance getting in and out. This ride type may require documentation confirming the medical need, unlike standard car service.
Do I need prior authorization for medical transportation?
For standard rides (car service, public transit reimbursement), generally no. For higher-need ride types like an ambulette, the transportation broker may ask for confirmation of medical necessity from your provider.
What if my scheduled ride doesn’t show up?
Contact MAS directly to report it and request a new pickup. If this becomes a recurring problem, you can also file a formal complaint with MAS or with the NY State Department of Health.
