State Asks Feds for Money to Implement Duals Demonstration

DOH provided a progress report on the Fully Integrated Duals Advantage (FIDA) proposal last week. The FIDA is a proposed demonstration encompassing New York City, Long Island and Westchester County to test the integration of benefits and services for the dual eligible population through managed care. The success of the demonstration will help the state determine if such an approach should go statewide. Assuming federal approval, DOH plans to begin voluntary enrollment in October of this year, while passive enrollment will begin on April 1, 2014. During the call, DOH reported that they have applied to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for funding to assist with implementation of the demonstration.

DOH clarified that while PACE programs will be deemed as FIDA plans, federal rules prohibit the state from passively enrolling individuals into PACE. DOH also made it clear that the deadline for entities to apply to become FIDA plans was Feb. 21 and that they will not accept any additional applications. While DOH could not disclose which entities had applied, the Department did indicate that they had received significant interest.

Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation, and here to listen to the presentation.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828