New York State Public Health Insurance Training Institute

Sally Speed, Director

Medicaid Eligibility Workers

In New York State, local district staff determine Medicaid eligibility, based on policy developed by the New York State Department of Health, Office of Health Insurance Programs. Since 1979, the New York State Public Health Insurance Training Institute (formerly known as the Medicaid Training Institute) has been working with State and local staff to develop and conduct training in eligibility determinations. This effort has increased the effectiveness and efficiency of eligibility determinations and has reduced errors throughout the state.

Facilitated Enrollers

Child Health Plus
In 2000, New York State launched an initiative to reduce the number of uninsured children in the state. Two eligibility programs were made available:

• Medicaid, which provides medical coverage for low income children
• Child Health Plus, which is the NYS Children’s Health Insurance Program for those under 19 years of age who are not eligible for Medicaid and are uninsured

One aspect of this initiative was to seek out those children in non-traditional sites and at non-traditional times (outside the local departments of social services and outside of normal business hours). Facilitated Enrollers who serve as staff of managed care plans and community-based organizations are trained to conduct eligibility interviews and screening conducted this outreach.

Family Health Plus
In 2001, the Family Health Plus Program was introduced for adults who are less than 65 years of age and who are not eligible for Medicaid. This initiative also utilized the Facilitated Enrollment outreach. 

Other Projects

The New York State Public Health Insurance Training Institute also develops materials such as these:

• Manuals on specialized eligibility situations, including the Long Term Home Health Care Program and Care at Home: A Handbook for Parents
• Videos to educate eligibility staff and inform consumers
• Web-based learning and enhancements of existing e-learning sites

For further information, e-mail the director or call Sally Speed at (716) 876-7600.