Relates to medicaid management by the commissioner of health and the department of health

3 Co-sponsors

• William J. Larkin Jr.
• George D. Maziarz
• Thomas F. O'Mara

BILL NUMBER:S3197

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to providing for medicaid management

Purpose

The bill is aimed at gaining better management of the Medicaid System in New York State which is expected to spend over $44.5 billion in state, federal and local dollars in 2005. The bill directs the Department of Health to convene periodic meetings of the Commissioners of all state agencies receiving Medicaid funds and appropriate representation of local departments of social services to, among other things, contain the growth of Medicaid spending and improve the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of existing service delivery. It also directs the department to report annually on 1) the results of the multi-agency meetings and 2) Medicaid expenditures made to other state agencies in the preceding state fiscal year. It requires the department to develop an annual plan to conduct periodic audits, reviews and inspections of state agencies receiving Medicaid funds to, among other things, promote accountability, economy, effectiveness, and efficiency.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 creates a new section 363-c of the Social Services Law directing the Department of Health to:

*Convene meetings at least quarterly with all state agencies receiving Medicaid funds and appropriate representation of local departments of social services to identify: 1) methods to contain the growth of Medicaid spending; 2) methods to improve the quality of and recipient satisfaction with Medicaid state agency services; 3) opportunities for consolidation and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing service delivery; 4) opportunities for education and prevention; 5) annually the number of persons on waiting lists to receive services for each list; and 6) the collective priority of critical needs for the Medicaid population.

*Report annually on 1) the results of the multi-agency meetings and 2) Medicaid expenditures made to other state agencies in the preceding state fiscal year.

*Develop outcome results-based objectives for Medicaid service and administrative contracts with other state agencies.

*Develop an annual plan to conduct periodic audits, reviews and inspections of state agencies receiving Medicaid funds to, among other things, promote accountability, economy, effectiveness and efficiency.

Section 2 provides an effective date of 120 days after it shall have become law.

Justification

One of the largest expenses in the New York State Budget is Medicaid with $45.7 billion spent in 2006. This bill, modeled after a proposal under consideration in South Carolina, is an attempt to more effectively manage Medicaid which is dispersed through many different programs and administered by many different agencies. These agencies, along with the representation of the local social services districts which determine eligibility at the front end, must come together more regularly with the goal of making a more effective, efficient, and accountable program.

Legislative history

2005 - S.5069/A.7972 -- PASSED SENATE/Health 2006 - S.5069/ A. 7972 -- RULES/Health 2007 - S.1304/A.5286 -- HEALTH/Health 2008 - S.1304/ A.5286 -- HEALTH/Health 2010 - S.2639/A.1212 -- HEALTH/Health

Fiscal implications

Savings as Medicaid is managed more efficiently and effectively.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.