Expanded Behavioral Health Benefits Now Available to Amida Care Members

As of October 1, 2015, members of Amida Care’s Medicaid Live Life Plus plan are covered for mental health and substance use services that were previously reimbursed by fee-for-service Medicaid.* This change is a key result of the work of New York State’s Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT).

Going forward, Amida Care will coordinate all the physical and behavioral health care our Medicaid members receive, enabling us to help providers achieve better outcomes for their patients. Our members will receive all the coverage and services they would receive through a standard Health and Recovery Plan (HARP). Amida Care members who are already receiving these benefits won’t experience any changes to their care, except that they will use their Amida Care membership card for their services instead of their Medicaid card.

Amida Care’s Integrated Care Teams will continue to support all members and providers with particular attention to Health Home enrollment and communication. Providers should encourage their patients to connect with a Health Home for optimal care coordination.

Under New York State’s MRT guidelines, some Amida Care members may be eligible as of January 1, 2016, for additional behavioral health benefits, called Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).** These benefits are intended to provide additional recovery-oriented, wraparound care to support the success of our members in their communities.

*Covered services include clinical evaluations to determine eligibility.
**Contingent on an assessment to be provided by a Health Home care manager.