A Transportation Mode for Every Medicaid Need

MAS pre-authorizes and arranges non-emergency transportation in New York State based upon each enrollee’s mobility, medical needs and NYS Department of Health requirements. When a service request is submitted online or by phone, MAS identifies and assigns the most appropriate and cost-effective transportation mode. Generally speaking, enrollees should anticipate traveling to Medicaid-covered services via the same transportation mode they use for day-to-day activities.

PhoneMAS arranges non-emergency Medicaid transportation only. If you require emergency medical services, please call 911 for immediate assistance.

Non-emergency transportation modes may include:

]

Private Vehicle

Enrollees who use a private vehicle to travel to covered healthcare services are eligible under the Medicaid program for mileage and expense reimbursement. Enrollees should plan to document mileage and expenses associated with scheduled care.  Additional information and the forms required to ensure reimbursement can be found in the Enrollees section.

]

Local Public Transit

Enrollees assigned to use public transit, bus or subway, are entitled under the Medicaid program to receive passes or fare reimbursement for transportation to approved services. Generally speaking, public transit will be assigned to enrollees who do not self-drive and who routinely use public transit for transportation.

Passes for public transit are mailed before the travel date when requests are submitted to MAS at least 5 business days before the appointment date. When scheduling service, please confirm the enrollee’s mailing address is correct.

]

Taxi - Ambulatory

When medically necessary and appropriate, MAS arranges curb-front or through-the-door ambulatory taxi services. Use of taxi services is subject to prior authorization and requires the enrollee’s medical provider to submit an electronic NYS 2015 Form to MAS indicating medical necessity.

]

Ambulette

When medically necessary and appropriate, MAS arranges ambulette transportation. An ambulette is a specially equipped van for transporting persons with disabilities or convalescent passengers under non-emergency circumstances. Use of ambulette service is subject to prior authorization and requires the enrollee’s medical provider to submit a NYS 2015 Form to MAS indicating medical necessity.

  • The Medicaid enrollee needs to be transported in a recumbent position;
  • The Medicaid enrollee is wheelchair-bound and is unable to use a taxi, livery, private vehicle or public transportation;
  • An otherwise ambulatory Medicaid enrollee requires radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or dialysis treatments, which result in a disabling post-treatment physical condition, making the enrollee unable to access transportation without the personal assistance of an ambulette service;
  • The Medicaid enrollee has a disabling physical condition which requires the use of a walker or crutches and is unable to use a taxi, livery, private vehicle or public transportation;
  • The Medicaid enrollee has a disabling physical condition other than one described above or a disabling mental condition requiring personal assistance by an ambulette service; or
  • The ordering practitioner certifies that the Medicaid enrollee cannot be transported by a taxi, livery, private vehicle, or public transportation, necessitating use of an ambulette service.
]

Ambulance

When medically necessary and appropriate, MAS arranges transportation via ambulance. Use of non-emergency ambulance services is subject to prior authorization and requires the enrollee’s medical provider to submit an electronic NYS 2015 Form to MAS indicating medical necessity. Non-emergency ambulance transportation will be authorized when the enrollee needs transportation that can only be accommodated by use of an ambulance, as opposed to a non-specialty mode such as ambulette or taxi.

]

Train or Commercial Bus

When medically necessary and appropriate, MAS arranges transportation via train or commercial bus. For long-distance travel, the enrollee’s medical practitioner will be required to submit an electronic NYS 2020 Form. Circumstances vary, but the scheduling party will be advised when additional documentation is required.

As an example, an enrollee may travel to a regional medical center for specialty care via commercial bus or train. In these cases, MAS works closely with enrollees and/or their caregivers on the required documentation and arrangements.

]

Commercial Air

When medically necessary and appropriate, MAS arranges commercial air travel to specialty care. In these cases, the enrollee’s medical practitioner must submit an electronic NYS 2020 Form to MAS.

As an example, an enrollee may travel to a distant city for specialty care via commercial air. In these cases, MAS works closely with enrollees and/or their caregivers on the required documentation and arrangements. MAS works closely with enrollees or their caregivers on the required documentation and arrangements.