$6.5 million in funding to support innovations in the delivery of health care to New Yorkers

The New York State Health Department has announced the creation of six regional demonstration projects totaling $6.5 million in grant awards to help address the complex health care needs of Medicaid recipients with chronic illness or at-risk for disease.

The demonstrations will promote the development and implementation of innovative approaches to providing disease and care management services in the areas of heart disease, renal kidney failure, and mental illness, among other types of chronic illness to New Yorkers enrolled in Medicaid.

One of the primary goals of the projects is to promote the doctor, patient relationship in delivering quality health care so that patients have a greater understanding of their treatment options and become more involved in making health care decisions.

Participation in these regional demonstration programs by New Yorkers who are eligible for Medicaid is voluntary. Each program will be evaluated by the State Health Department to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of providing health care to patients under these programs. The services are available to those enrolled in Medicaid under fee-for-service.