Reminder: FIDA to Begin in January

LeadingAge NY reminds members that Jan. 1, 2015 remains the implementation date for the Fully Integrated Duals Advantage (FIDA) program.

FIDA is a three-year demonstration program for dual eligible individuals in need of long term care services that will integrate Medicaid and Medicare services and funding in a single managed care product. Eligible individuals will be offered the opportunity to enroll voluntarily after which they will be automatically (i.e., passively) enrolled unless they choose to opt-out of the program. The list of DOH approved FIDA plans is available by clicking here.

The FIDA demonstration area includes managed care plans and contracted providers in the FIDA regions consisting ofthe Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties. 

Voluntary FIDA enrollments in NYC and Nassau will be effective no earlier than Jan. 1, 2015, and passive enrollment starts April 1, 2015. Voluntary enrollment in Suffolk and Westchester is set for April 1, 2015, with passive enrollment to begin July 1, 2015.  

Maximus (Medicaid Choice) has already been receiving FIDA enrollment applications. The Department of Health (DOH) is continuing their weekly FIDA implementation calls with the managed care plans, and DOH anticipates starting Contract Management Team (CMT) calls with the plans in the near future. The latest DOH FIDA update is available on our web page by clicking here.

Maximus issued the first round of FIDA announcement letters and will continue to issue additional letters. The FIDA plans were authorized to start official marketing efforts as of Mon., Dec. 8. The FIDA ombudsman program, the Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN), is slated to become operational in January 2015 and can be reached toll-free at 1-844-614-8800 or online at www.icannys.org. 

Contact: Patrick Cucinelli, pcucinelli@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8827