New York State Medicaid 1115 Waiver
A groundbreaking waiver that allows New York State the flexibility to advance innovative projects to improve the health and wellbeing of Medicaid members.
About the 1115 Waiver
The New York State Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver[1] ("the 1115 Waiver") has improved access, quality, and cost effectiveness of health services for New Yorkers. New York's 1115 Waiver has been in effect since 1997. It was last renewed on April 1, 2022, and is effective through March 31, 2027. The goals of the New York State Medicaid 1115 Waiver are as follows:
- Improve access to health care for the Medicaid population.
- Improve the quality of health services delivered.
- Expand coverage to additional New Yorkers.
- Advance health equity, reduce health disparities, and support the delivery of health-related social need (HRSN) services.
The 1115 Waiver has allowed the State to implement its Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) program, which provides comprehensive and coordinated health care to Medicaid recipients. Additional programs that operate under 1115 waiver authority include Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS), Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC), Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), Health and Recovery Plans (HARPs) and the newly approved programs included in the New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) Amendment.
The Waiver is updated in the form of amendments, which, when approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), create initiatives to improve health care for New York Medicaid Members. Use the buttons below for more information on active and pending amendments.
1115 Waiver Featured Initiatives
Social Care Network (SCN) Program
The SCN Program is building networks across the State for screening, navigation of Medicaid Members to critical health related social needs (HRSN) services, and provision of those services.
Learn more about Social Care Networks
Questions: SDH@health.ny.gov.
Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program
The CPT Program is a program designed to create a reliable workforce pipeline to address workforce shortages by funding education and training for health, behavioral health and social care workers throughout New York State.
Learn more about the Career Pathways Training Program.
Health Care Access Loan Repayment (HEALR) Program
The HEALR Program is a Medicaid workforce initiative that offers student loan repayment assistance to providers in eligible titles to strengthen recruitment and retention of high-demand health care roles in New York State.
Learn more about the Health Care Access Loan Repayment Program
Contact Us
Please email questions and/or comments to: 1115waivers@health.ny.gov.
Related Resources
More information related to 1115 Medicaid Waiver initiatives and implementation can be found on the following New York State Department of Health webpages:
Medicaid Webpages
Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) Specific Webpages
[1] The 1115 Waiver is known as a "Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver" by the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Authorized under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act, this specific type of waiver gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to waive certain provisions and regulations for State Medicaid programs and allow State Medicaid funds to be used in ways that are not otherwise allowed under federal rules. CMS approves 1115 Waiver Demonstrations for a specified amount of time; one year prior to the end of a demonstration period, the State will submit a request to renew and extend the waiver authority.
