Early Intervention Program Progress Report

 

New York State Department of Health
New York Early Intervention System (NYEIS) Electronic Mailing List

Early Intervention Program Progress Report


Dear Colleague:

The Department continues to make progress on a number of fronts to address provider concerns regarding lack of payment from insurers as well as continued improvements in the operation of the State Fiscal Agent.  These include:

Since April 1, 2013, the Department, through its fiscal agent, has issued payments to providers totaling more than $221 million, including Medicaid and local government funding.

Safety Net Payments (SNPs): The Department has made Safety Net Payments (SNPs) available to early intervention providers in response to provider concerns about the lack of payment of claims submitted to insurance companies.

  • 252 EIP providers have submitted requests for SNPs.
  • 130 providers have returned the amended provider agreements necessary to receive the SNP.
  • $5.6 million in SNPs were issued to EIP providers as of August 30, 2013, with additional payments scheduled to be issued on Wednesday.
  • The Department will continue to issue SNPs to providers who have requested the agreement by August 30, 2013 and who return the amended provider agreement before October 1, 2013.

Dr. Nirav Shah, Commissioner of Health, issued a letter to Chief Executive Officers of all licensed health insurers in New York State, reminding them of insurers’ obligation under State laws with respect to payment of early intervention services, and providing guidance on implementing these requirements. The letter and guidance are posted on the Department of Financial services and can be found at the following links: http://www.dfs.ny.gov/insurance/health/EIP_DOH_CEO_letter.pdf, and http://www.dfs.ny.gov/insurance/health/EIP_implementation.pdf.   A follow up educational webinar for insurers is being planned for September.

State Fiscal Agent:

The Department’s contract with Public Consulting Group, Inc. was fully approved and executed this past week.  Public Consulting Group, Inc., will be rapidly ramping up its efforts to implement a full-service State Fiscal Agent (SFA).

  • A steering committee, comprised of representatives of providers, insurers, municipalities, parents, the Department of Financial Services, and the Department of Health has been established and will be convened in September to advise PCG on ongoing SFA operations.
  • Major enhancements to provider training and support activities are planned to begin in September. 
  • The PCG call center will be operational October 1, 2013, to support providers in the claiming process.

Medicaid Payments:  Significant progress has been made in reassigning the code 35 service coordination designation on the eMedNY system from municipalities to providers delivering service coordination services to children enrolled in the Medicaid Program.  New York City providers, in particular, should receive increased payments amount for service coordination services from Medicaid beginning with the most recent payment cycle (#1880).

Please do not reply to this e-mail announcement.

Thank You.