Unpublished Letter to the New York Times
On August 22, 2006 Dr. Abigail Zuger published an article in the New York TImes “Fight Against AIDS: Small Triumphs, Sunny Optimism and Grim Reality“. In response I sent a letter to the Editor which was never published. This is an expanded version of my letter (with a heartfelt thank you to those who helped refine the text).
Letter To Editor:
Dr. Zuger is right to expect more for her patients. For Medicaid recipients in New York the solution is much closer than Bill Gates’s money – HIV Special Needs Plans (SNPs).
More than 10 years ago the New York State Department of Health’s AIDS Institute anticipated the need for a more comprehensive care system for those living with HIV and on Medicaid. HIV SNPs were developed with significant input from the HIV consumer and provider communities. The SNP program was built upon the vast experience of the AIDS Institute in delivering HIV/AIDS care in the Medicaid fee-for-service sector through the development of Medicaid specialty programs such as the Designated AIDS Center hospital program and other care models. Culminating in 2003, New York State’s efforts resulted in licensing HIV Special Needs Plans (SNPs).
SNPs have dedicated HIV/AIDS-experienced provider networks and have been able to create access to specialty care related to the needs that Dr. Zuger described. SNPs have a flexible funding apparatus through significantly higher capitation payments from the State than is available in regular managed care. This enhanced funding and greater specialist capacity combined with the SNPs’ specialized member services and medical management departments ensure timely and highly coordinated care.
Enrollment in HIV SNPs is voluntary and open to HIV infected individuals who are residents of New York City and on Medicaid. A SNP enrollee’s dependent children of up to the age 19 can also be enrolled regardless of HIV status.
We urge Dr. Zuger and other health providers in New York City to talk with patients with HIV to see if enrolling in an HIV SNP would be the right choice for them.
For more information on HIV Special Needs Plans visit the New York State Department of Health website at www.health.state.ny.us
Eli Camhi, LMSW
Executive Director
NewYork-Presbyterian System SelectHealth
212-404-1278
Unpublished Letter to the New York Times : thegameoflove:
[...] Original ecamhi [...]
September 9, 2008, 7:40 am