NYAPRS Note: The following comes from new NYS Ombudsman Project Director Stephanie Campbell.
The Office of Mental Health and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services is seeking active support from our advocacy leaders, colleagues and friends in getting the word out the New York state Behavioral Health Ombudsman Program.
The New Ombudsman Program, called the Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP), will help vulnerable New Yorkers access their benefits to insurance coverage for substance sue and mental health care. Specifically, CHAMP will educate individuals, families and health care providers to understand legal rights to their insurance, health them access treatment and services, and investigate and resolve complaints regarding any denials of health insurance coverage.
We are experiencing a public health crisis in which one in five New Yorkers who require addiction and mental health care are being denied access to quality care because of discrimination and other barriers to treatment. The Ombudsman Program is designed to help consumers and providers with health insurance coverage access mental health and substance use services for individuals in need of care through the CHAMP Helpline (888-614-5400) and/or by email Ombuds@oasas.ny.gov without the added stress of having to navigate complex insurance denials alone.
We appreciate the commitment that you and your organizations extend to our shared goal. It is our hope that when you are contacted by any of the CHAMP specialists for opportunities to collaborate with outreach and engagement opportunities regarding this vital program, that you welcome them and support all efforts to get information about the Ombudsman program to your members.
Because the Ombudsman program has a limited budget, OASAS and OMH is counting on your support to get the word out about this critical initiative to assist New Yorkers struggling to access or continue care they are entitled to. Please do not hesitate to contact us with recommendations and additional resources that can be helpful in our shared efforts to help all payers break down barriers and improve access to life-saving care.
