Information for Local Departments of Social Service

NYS Local Departments
of Social Service

To find the contact information for a New York State Local Department of Social Service (LDSS) visit our LDSS Directory page at the link below.

LDSS Contact Directory.

Library of Official Documents

The Library of Official Documents is a collection of important LDSS documents and forms.

Medicaid Update

The Medicaid Update is a monthly publication which highlights the most current policy and guidance changes within the New York State Medicaid program.

LDSS who would like to recieve the Medicaid Update each month via email may sign up by emailing: medicaidupdate@health.ny.gov.

Unwinding from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: A Communications Tool Kit to Keep New Yorkers Covered

Important changes are coming. New federal rules will require New York State to begin redetermining eligibility for public program enrollees in the Spring of 2023. Enrollees in Medicaid, Child Health Plus (CHP) and the Essential Plan (EP) have not had to renew their health insurance since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) continuous coverage requirements for these public programs, which were adopted by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in March 2020. However, the December 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act included new rules ending the continuous coverage requirements starting Spring 2023.

Beginning in Spring 2023, renewal notices will be sent to enrollees in these programs based on their enrollment end dates. Renewal notices will include the deadline to take action to renew their insurance or risk having a gap in coverage. Deadlines will be based on the enrollees’ enrollment end dates and will range from June 30, 2023 through May 31, 2024.

In an effort to minimize the number of New Yorkers at risk of losing their Medicaid, CHP or EP coverage, the New York State Department of Health is working with partners, local districts and other stakeholders to inform New Yorkers about renewing their coverage and exploring other available health insurance options if they no longer qualify for Medicaid, CHP or EP.


Useful Resources for LDSS

  • HIPAA Information Center
  • Information related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

  • Medicaid Reference Guide
  • Introduction to the Medicaid Reference Guide (MRG) and instruction for use. The purpose of the MRG is to assist LDSS in determining Medicaid eligibility for applicants/members.

  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Managed Care is a term used to describe a health insurance plan or health care system that coordinates your health care. In general, when you enroll in a managed care plan, you select a regular doctor, called a primary care practitioner (PCP), who will be responsible for coordinating your health care.

  • Medicaid and Medicare Part D
  • Medicare Part D is a prescription drug benefit available to everyone with Medicare.

  • Supplemental Payment to Ambulance Providers
  • The 2015-16 enacted New York State budget requires the Department of Health to make annual supplemental payments on a quarterly basis to ambulance providers who received a reimbursement for emergency transportation from the Medicaid Program during each quarter of each State Fiscal Year (SFY).

New York State Medicaid Program-Specific Manuals

  • Long Term Home Health Care Program Manual
  • A reference guide for LDSS staff and Long Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP) providers.

  • Medicaid Disability Manual
  • The Medicaid Disability Manual is the official policy guide for disability determinations for the Medicaid program in New York State.

  • Traumatic Brain Injury Program Manual
  • The Traumatic Brain Injury Program Manual is dedicated to all participants of the past, present and future, and to those individuals who have assisted people with brain injuries to be in control of their lives and to live as independently as possible in the community.

Archive

Please see the New York State Medicaid Archive page to find information on past programs and guidance.

Contact Information and Additional Resources