Department of Health

You can apply for Medicaid in any one of the following ways:

• Write, phone, or go to your local department of social services.
• In New York City, contact the Human Resources Administration by calling (718) 557-1399.
• Pregnant individuals and children can apply at many clinics, hospitals, and provider offices. Call your local department of social services to find out where you can apply.
• If you are in a facility operated by the New York State Office of Mental Health, contact the patient resource office.
• If you are in a facility operated by the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, contact the Revenue Support Field Office.

Information for Providers

Medicaid Prescriber Education Program (MPEP)

The Medicaid Prescriber Education Program (MPEP) is a partnership between the New York State Department of Health and the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. MPEP offers evidence-based, online continuing education on current topics in pharmacotherapy.

View the catalog of free accredited continuing education activities at https://nypep.nysdoh.suny.edu/.

Medicaid Update

The Medicaid Update is a monthly publication which highlights the most current policy and guidance changes within the New York State Medicaid program.

Providers who would like to recieve the Medicaid Update each month via email may sign up by emailing: medicaidupdate@health.ny.gov.

Important Changes to Medicaid Dental Services

Beginning January 31, 2024 NYS Medicaid Dental Service benefits have changed. Vist the Medicaid Dental Benefits page for more information.

New NYS Medicaid Dental Polices Webinar - 1/2/2024
Recording - Slide Deck

To find the contact information for a New York State Local Department of Social Service (LDSS) visit our LDSS Directory page at the link below.

Unwinding from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: A Communications Tool Kit to Keep New Yorkers Covered

Important changes are coming. New federal rules will require New York State to begin redetermining eligibility for public program enrollees in the Spring of 2023. Enrollees in Medicaid, Child Health Plus (CHP) and the Essential Plan (EP) have not had to renew their health insurance since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) continuous coverage requirements for these public programs, which were adopted by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in March 2020. However, the December 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act included new rules ending the continuous coverage requirements starting Spring 2023.

Beginning in Spring 2023, renewal notices will be sent to enrollees in these programs based on their enrollment end dates. Renewal notices will include the deadline to take action to renew their insurance or risk having a gap in coverage. Deadlines will be based on the enrollees' enrollment end dates and will range from June 30, 2023 through May 31, 2024.

In an effort to minimize the number of New Yorkers at risk of losing their Medicaid, CHP or EP coverage, the New York State Department of Health is working with partners, local districts and other stakeholders to inform New Yorkers about renewing their coverage and exploring other available health insurance options if they no longer qualify for Medicaid, CHP or EP.

Resources and Fact Sheets for Medicaid Stakeholders

Fact Sheets

Fact sheets provide important information for all Medicaid stakeholders on a variety of coverage and health related topics. Some fact sheets are designed specifically for consumers and available in a number of languages.

• New Health Insurance Option for Undocumented Immigrants Over 65 - English - Español - December 2023
• Provider Fact Sheet on the Public Health Emergency Unwind - English
• Health Insurance Scam Alert Flyer(Available in Multiple Languages)
• Member Specific Educational Fact Sheets(Available in Multiple Languages)

COVID-19 Guidance

The COVID-19 Guidance for Medicaid Providers web page includes all COVID-19 related policy and billing guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NY Medicaid Benefits

New York State Medicaid Program Areas

For more information about a specific NYS Medicaid program area visit the program page by selecting from the links below.

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  New York State Medicaid encourages providers to screen for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in patients. ACEs are categorized as abuse, neglect, and household challenges experienced during childhood. Screening for ACEs with evidence-based tools helps clinical teams move toward prevention and also identify individuals at high risk who may benefit from additional assessment and interventions.
• Dental Benefits
  New York State Medicaid offers an extensive dental plan for Medicaid members, through the New York State Fee-for-Service program or through a Medicaid Managed Care plan.
• Doula Services Benefit
  The New York State enacted 2023-24 Executive Budget includes expanded Medicaid coverage of preventative care, including coverage and higher reimbursement for doulas. Learn more about the NYS Medicaid Doula Services Benefit.
• Family Planning Benefit Program (FPBP)
  The FPBP is a public health insurance program for New Yorkers who need family planning services, but may not be able to afford them.
• Integrated Care for Dual Eligible New Yorkers (DUALS)
  Dual-eligible beneficiaries (Medicare "dual-eligibles" or "duals") refers to those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
• Medicaid Finance and Rate Setting
  The Division of Finance and Rate Setting (DFRS) is within the Office of Health Insurance Programs and responsible for all functions related to Medicaid rate setting, including Medicaid managed care premium development. This division has full oversight of the Medicaid budget and is the liaison with the Division of the Budget and managing the Medicaid Global Spending Cap.
• Medicaid Health Homes
  A ´Health Home´ is not a physical place; it is a group of health care and service providers working together to make sure you get the care and services you need to stay healthy. Once you are enrolled in a Health Home, you will have a care manager that works with you to develop a care plan that maps out the services you need, to put you on the road to better health.
• Medicaid Managed Care
  Managed Care is a term used to describe a health insurance plan or health care system that coordinates your health care. In general, when you enroll in a managed care plan, you select a regular doctor, called a primary care practitioner (PCP), who will be responsible for coordinating your health care.
• Medicaid Pharmacy Program
  The New York State Medicaid Pharmacy program covers medically necessary FDA approved prescription and non-prescription drugs for Medicaid fee-for-service and Medicaid Managed Care enrollees. Medicaid Quality and Evaluation (TBD owners) -->
• Medicaid and Medicare Part D
  Medicare Part D is a prescription drug benefit available to everyone with Medicare.
• NYS Medicaid Telehealth Information
  Telehealth is defined as the use of electronic information and communication technologies to deliver health care to patients at a distance. Medicaid covered services provided via telehealth include assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management and/or self-management of a Medicaid member.

Provider-Specific Programs, Policy, and Committee Groups

• New York State Medicaid State-Directed Quality Incentive Program to Reduce Low-Risk Cesarean Delivery Rates
• NY Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Through the NY Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, eligible professionals (EPs) and eligible hospitals (EHs) in New York who adopted, implemented, or upgraded certified EHR technology (CEHRT), and subsequently became meaningful users of CEHRT, could qualify for and receive financial incentives.
• eMedNY
  The eMedNY website is for provider resource with helpful manuals and reference material related to offerings of the electronic Medicaid system of New York State. The site is updated regularly to meet the ever-growing needs of the State provider community.
• Prescription Drug Prices in NY
  The NYS Board of Pharmacy publishes an annual list of the 150 most frequently prescribed drugs, in the most common quantities and the NYS Department of Health collects retail price information on these drugs from pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program and from pharmacies that submit their retail price information directly to the Department. This site allows search of specific drugs from the most frequently prescribed drug list.
• Medicaid Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) Decisions
  This web page contains decisions by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) in cases seeking recovery of overpayments from providers under the Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
• Supplemental Payment to Ambulance Providers
  The 2015-16 enacted New York State budget requires the Department of Health to make annual supplemental payments on a quarterly basis to ambulance providers who received a reimbursement for emergency transportation from the Medicaid Program during each quarter of each State Fiscal Year (SFY).
• Medicaid Disability Manual
  The Medicaid Disability Manual is the official policy guide for disability determinations for the Medicaid program in New York State.
• Traumatic Brain Injury Program Manual
• Long Term Home Health Care Program Manual
  A reference guide for LDSS staff and Long Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP) providers.
• HIPAA Information Center
  Information related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

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Contact Information and Additional Resources

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• Important Numbers