New York State Department of Health Unveils Medicaid Provider Directory for Private Duty Nurses Serving Medically Fragile Children

New Online Tool Improves Search Process for Caregivers and Family Members, Lists Specialized Providers by Name, Licensure, and County

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 16, 2020) – The New York State Department of Health today announced the launch of its online Medicaid Provider Directory for Private Duty Nurses for Medically Fragile Children. The new online tool allows family and caregivers to identify nurses in their area who have experience and expertise delivering services to children and young adults up to age 23 with a medically fragile condition. The Directory was among the recommendations made by the Medicaid Redesign Team II convened by Governor Cuomo earlier this year and enacted as part of the 2020-21 New York State Budget, to recruit and retain private duty nurses (PDNs) for medically fragile youth throughout the state, and improve the search process for children’s families, so they can locate a provider more easily.

“We are pleased to unveil this new tool to help Medicaid consumers more easily find nurses that are trained and available to serve this population,” said New York State Medicaid Director Donna Frescatore. “The online Directory will be updated regularly to ensure it includes current information.”

The Directory can be filtered by name, licensure, and county. It lists private duty nurses and nurse agencies that serve fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid members, up to age 23, who require continuous skilled nursing care at home. Medically fragile children are at risk of hospitalization or institutionalization but are capable of being cared for at home if provided with appropriate home care services. Currently, 626 Medically Fragile Children receive Medicaid covered Private Duty Nursing services.

Providers eligible for the Directory are Licensed Home Care Services Agencies (LHCSAs) and independent providers, including registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who have agreed, subject to their availability, to serve medically fragile children enrolled in fee-for-service Medicaid. Providers who participate in the Directory and accept cases will receive an enhanced Medicaid reimbursement rate.

Learn more about the Private Duty Nursing Program for Medically Fragile Children and access the Directory here.