NYS: Tackling the Issue of High Users of Healthcare

A disproportionate amount of healthcare costs in developed nations are attributed to a small percentage of high-needs patients. New York is no exception. Addressing the needs of this subgroup of Medicaid patients was part of reforms begun in 2011 with the creation of the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT). The MRT successfully adopted 78 revisions to the Medicaid program. Some broad reforms target all Medicaid enrollees. The state also invested in two specific programs to meet the needs of high users: supportive housing and Health Homes. Close monitoring of both programs is underway and over time, will reveal the value of these two initiatives.