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New York Medicaid 1115 Waiver

New York State Medicaid received approval for its Medicaid 1115 waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to improve the overall quality and health outcomes of New Yorkers. The waiver includes an investment of $7 billion statewide over a three-year period through March 2027.

The initiatives made possible under the waiver include:

  • Creating Social Care Networks to deliver health-related social care services to Medicaid members
  • Enhancing collaboration between primary care providers and community-based organizations to ultimately boost the quality of care and health outcomes for New Yorkers
  • Investing in primary care and making long-term, sustainable investments in the state’s health care workforce
  • Targeting geographic areas that have a persistent history of health disparities and a lack of engagement with the health care system

Social Care Networks

Community-based organizations, health care providers, and other organizations that provide health-related social needs services are encouraged to join a social care network. With the additional Medicaid 1115 waiver funding, organizations that join social care networks may be able to receive reimbursement for certain eligible social services (PDF) outlined in the waiver.

These networks were established to connect Medicaid members with unmet health-related social needs to housing, nutrition, transportation, and care management services. Organizations that join the networks will identify Medicaid members’ social needs using the Accountable Health Communities screening tool (PDF) and help to navigate them to appropriate services.

Learn more below about how to apply for funding and what activities are reimbursable.

Note: New York State will begin reimbursing social care networks and their partners for health-related social needs services in January 2025, so please contact the lead social care networks to join their networks soon.

Eligibility and Application Process

Three social care networks have been established in New York City. Organizations can apply to join the networks in any borough where they provide services.

For networks outside of New York City, visit NYS Department of Health: Social Care Networks.

For questions about social care networks or the Medicaid 1115 waiver, contact NYS Department of Health at 1115waivers@health.state.ny.us or the NYC Health Department at HealthSystems@health.nyc.gov.

Additional Resources