New York's new Medicaid Waiver proposal presents an exciting funding opportunity for New York and the Finger Lakes region.
New York is seeking written responses by May 20. After that, the New York State Department of Health will review feedback and finalize a submission for the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which will review and determine whether to approve the proposal as written, amend it or deny the proposal.
The state’s proposal is designed around four goals:
· Building a more resilient, flexible, and integrated delivery system that reduces health disparities, promotes health equity, and supports the delivery of social care;
· Developing and strengthening supportive housing services and alternatives for the homeless and long-term institutional populations;
· Redesigning and strengthening system capabilities to improve quality, advance health equity, and address workforce shortages; and
· Creating statewide digital health and telehealth infrastructure.
The waiver is designed to save money by investing in disease prevention, focusing on housing and other social determinants of health, supporting the health care workforce, and investing in digital health and telehealth. However, Medicaid beneficiaries would not see a reduction in services. To ease transition onto the Medicaid system, those who are incarcerated and who have multiple chronic conditions, HIV, substance use or mental health conditions would be able to receive a focused set of Medicaid services 30 days prior to their release from prison, which could add 92,000 members a year to Medicaid enrollment.
There are three ways to share your thoughts on the waiver proposal:
· Respond to a virtual survey sent out by Common Ground to partners. Responses will be compiled and submitted as part of a region-wide response to create consensus and provide all residents an opportunity to sign on to regional input. To receive the survey, email communications@commongroundhealth.org. Responses are due by May 6.
· Take part in a state virtual public hearing session from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 3.
· Submit written comments directly to the state by emailing 1115waivers@health.ny.gov or by mail at: Department of Health, Office of Health Insurance Programs, Waiver Management Unit, 99 Washington Avenue, 12th floor (Suite 1208), Albany, NY 12210.
NYS Department of Health will review the feedback it receives and finalize a written submission to CMS.
For details on the public input process, view: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/2022/docs/2022-04-13_1115_waiver_public_notice.pdf