NYAPRS Note: The NYS Department of Health began sending letters out to Medicaid beneficiaries in October of last year explaining the change in healthcare delivery known as DSRIP. Our partners and friends at Medicaid Matters New York (MMNY) have just released a factsheet that neatly and simply explains the letter, particularly around folks’ ability to give consent – or not – to share their health information. Please find the text of the factsheet below and the full document attached to this email.
Understanding The Letters Being Sent From New York State To All People On Medicaid About A New Program Called The Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program
There are changes in health care that are important for people who have Medicaid. The State Health Department began sending letters in October 2015 and will continue sending letters in February 2016 to explain the change in health services. The State is making changes to how services will be provided, in a program called the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment program, or DSRIP. Medicaid coverage is not changing.
For this program to work, health care providers will work together to help everyone get the services they need. It would be helpful for all patients for the State to share information about their health and the services they receive. This information will help health care providers coordinate care. The mailing from the State is about people consenting to sharing of their medical information.
People have the right to say they do not want their medical information to be shared. To do that, people will need to follow the directions provided in the mailing. People will have an initial 30 days to opt-out. If there is no response to the letter within 30 days, the person will be counted as consenting to sharing their medical information. But, people will be able to opt out at any time after this time period by calling the DSRIP call center that will soon be open. Even if the person decides to “opt out” they will still be part of DSRIP.
What is DSRIP?
The DSRIP program is part of an agreement between the federal government and New York State to improve health care services and the health of New Yorkers overall. For DSRIP, health care providers are required to come together in newly-formed networks, called Performing Provider Systems (PPS). Most of the PPSs are led by hospitals, and all are comprised of hospitals, community-based providers (like community health centers), specialty care providers, and community-based organizations. The PPSs will be starting new projects to reach the goals of DSRIP, and the money they receive will be based on reaching good outcomes.
For more information or to speak with someone in a language other than English, call the State’s free hotline dedicated to DSRIP at 855-329-8850 / TTY: 800-662-1220. Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Saturday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Please visit www.medicaidmattersny.org for more information on the DSRIP program. If you live in the five boroughs of New York City, you may also call the Commission on the Public’s Health System at 212-246-0803 with concerns related to DSRIP.