New York Building Partnerships to Improve Support for Individuals with I/DD

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) are partnering with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Partner’s Health Plan (PHP) to provide better, more coordinated care to individuals with I/DD who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.  A news release highlights that this partnerships implements the partnership implements the Medicare-Medicaid Financial Alignment Initiative (Demonstration).

According to the CMS website, “a longstanding barrier to coordinating care for Medicare-Medicaid enrollees has been the financial misalignment between Medicare and Medicaid. CMS is testing models to better align the financing of these two programs and integrate primary, acute, behavioral health and long-term services and supports for their Medicare-Medicaid enrollees.”  The New York Demonstration, referred to as the Fully Integrated Duals Advantage (FIDA-IDD), focuses on individuals who have long-term care and I/DD service needs.  The FIDA-IDD demonstration will offer more opportunities for individuals to direct their own services, be involved in care planning, and live independently in the community.   FIDA-IDD benefits will be provided through an integrated design that includes a dedicated team to address each individual´s long-term supports and services. 

FMI:  Read the news release at:  http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/news_and_publications/fida-idd-announcement

To learn about other states’ demonstrations go to: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-and-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination-Office/FinancialAlignmentInitiative/FinancialModelstoSupportStatesEffortsinCareCoordination.html.