Editorial: Protecting New York’s most vulnerable

Nearly 280,000 New Yorkers rely on a Managed Long Term Care plan for their care.

Many of these members are among the state’s most at-risk residents, with multiple health conditions that require coordination of numerous services. This includes both physical health and home health care, long-term services and supports, as well as help coordinating social services, such as housing, employment, education, and food access.

These MLTC members often rely on North Country Home Services and other community-based organizations to help them navigate the health care system and access the care and services they need.

Recently, a new proposal has surfaced that will take away choices from patients, create havoc in the delivery system, and undercut efforts to promote health equity. The proposal would do away with the MLTC program and replace it with a “managed fee-for-service” system.

MLTC members could be forced out of their current plan, disrupting their care and potentially forcing them to switch providers.

As an organization that provides home care and supportive services to our patients, empowering them to remain as independent as possible in the comfort of their home, I’m concerned this proposal will make it harder for the people we serve to get the services they need.

If their current plan is eliminated, the disruption in care will also impact the families who are already overwhelmed with their caregiving responsibilities.

North Country Home Services patients are scattered across very rural areas, with many located in remote communities. We work closely with our MLTC plan partners to coordinate and tailor care management to meet the unique needs of each member.

This proposal would upend these trusted and often longstanding relationships. Taking options away from these individuals threatens the ability of providers to support their patients and could negatively affect continuity and quality of care.

New York’s Medicaid program has been a national leader in improving quality and health care outcomes. This includes the MLTC program where plans received high marks in keeping members healthy.

Data in the Department of Health’s 2022 Managed Long-Term Care Report showed with high numbers of enrollees received recommended flu and pneumococcal vaccinations and avoided injuries due to falls. The state’s report also showed high member satisfaction, with 90% of plan respondents rating their health plan as good or excellent, 89% rating the quality of care of their care manager as good or excellent, and 86% rating the helpfulness of their plan in managing their illness as good or excellent.

The impact this proposal will cause to coordinate care has the potential to threaten those efforts.

It is more important than ever to protect the choices available for vulnerable New Yorkers who rely on their MLTC plans. The state should not make it more difficult for New Yorkers with complex health conditions to get the care they need and should reject this proposal.