Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Review Panel (MMCARP)

Section 364-jj of the Social Services Law, as added by Chapter 649 of the Laws of 1996. The Panel began meeting in 1997. The Panel's charge is to: evaluate managed care provider capacity; determine whether auto-assignments are being minimized; review the 1115 program phase-in schedule; assess marketing, outreach and enrollment strategies; determine cost implications of exempt and excluded populations; evaluating the adequacy and appropriateness of program materials; examining trends in service denials; and assess the access to care for people with disabilities, and other issues as deemed appropriate.

2026 Schedule of Meetings

Note: Meeting dates are subject to change

  • March
    Thursday, March 5th
    11:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.
  • June
    The June 18th meeting has been canceled
  • September
    In-Person Location TBD
    Thursday, September 17th
    10:30a.m. - 12:30p.m.
  • December
    Thursday, December 17th
    11:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.

Current Members

Updated June 24, 2026 - Current Members (PDF)

Name Appointing Authority Seat Category (as applicable) County of Residence Appointed*
Frederick B. Cohen, JD, Chair Governor   Erie November 15, 2002
Elisabeth R. Benjamin, MSPH, JD, Vice Chair Speaker of the Assembly Member of Joint Advisory Panel* Manhattan May 14, 1997
Sheila H. Nelson Temporary President of the Senate   Albany October 20, 2016
Amber Decker Temporary President of the Senate Consumer representative for individuals with behavioral health needs Kings September 16, 2020
Jay B. Silverman Temporary President of the Senate Representative of entities that provide or arrange for the provision of services to individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid Nassau August 11, 2011
Jane Velazquez Temporary President of the Senate   Westchester October 10, 2023
Frederic J. Riccardi Governor Consumer representative for individuals that are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Columbia June 1, 2021
Colleen C. Rose Minority Leader of the Assembly   Monroe March 18, 2025
Pamela S. Mattel Governor Representative of entities that provide or arrange for provision of services to individuals with behavioral health needs. Nassau February 9,2026
Vacant Governor      
Vacant Governor      
Vacant Governor      
Vacant Speaker of the Assembly      
Vacant Speaker of the Assembly      
Vacant Speaker of the Assembly      
Vacant Minority Leader of the senate      

The MMCARP must meet certain criteria through its membership:

  • 3 must be members of the joint advisory panel established by N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law § 13.40 ("Joint Advisory Panel")**
  • One consumer representative for individuals with behavioral health needs
  • One consumer representative for dual eligible individuals
  • One representative of entities that provide or arrange for the provision of services to individuals with behavioral health needs
  • One representative of entities that provide or arrange for the provision of services to dual eligible individuals.

*The Joint Advisory Panel no longer exists.

Meeting Materials

For additional information please send an email to mcmeet@health.ny.gov