Public Notice - NYS Department of Health

For publication in the December 30, 2020 edition of the New York State Register

  • Notice is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF)

NYS Department of Health

Pursuant to 42 CFR Section 447.205, the Department of Health hereby gives public notice of the following:

The Department of Health proposes to amend the Title XIX (Medicaid) State Plan for non-institutional services to comply with Social Services Law Section 365-a. The following changes for the Medicaid Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) are proposed. The ABP includes all mandatory and optional benefits defined in the New York Medicaid State Plan under the categorically needy population designation.

Non-Institutional Services

Effective on or after October 1, 2020 the Department is proposing to remove the annual physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy visit caps and replace with authorization based on medical necessity. Revision of the physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech annual cap will provide members an opportunity to obtain additional rehabilitation therapy as a pathway to nonpharmacologic treatment alternative for pain management. The Department assures access to early and periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment (EPSDT) services will continue unchanged.

There is no additional estimated annual change to gross Medicaid expenditures as a result of this proposed amendment.

The public is invited to review and comment on this proposed State Plan Amendment, a copy of which will be available for public review on the Department´s website here. Individuals without Internet access may view the State Plan Amendments at any local (county) social services district.

For the New York City district, copies will be available at the following places:

New York County
250 Church Street
New York, New York 10018
Queens County, Queens Center
3220 Northern Boulevard
Long Island City, New York 11101
Kings County, Fulton Center
114 Willoughby Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Bronx County, Tremont Center
1916 Monterey Avenue
Bronx, New York 10457
Richmond County, Richmond Center
95 Central Avenue, St. George
Staten Island, New York 10301

For further information and to review and comment, please contact:

New York State Department of Health
Division of Finance and Rate Setting
99 Washington Ave – One Commerce Plaza Suite 1432
Albany, New York 12210
spa_inquiries@health.ny.gov