Bulletin: NY State (eMedNY) implements emergency Medicaid FFS processes

Due to the threat of power outages and computer network disruptions that could result from the impact of Hurricane Sandy, New York State's Fee-for-Service Medicaid plan (eMedNY) informed the state's Medicaid providers that it is implementing emergency procedures "until the State of Emergency" has ended.

The alert, released by eMedNY at approximately 1 PM, reads as follows: 

Because of Hurricane Sandy, Fee for Service Medicaid is implementing the following processes until the State of Emergency has ended. The State of Emergency will be determined by the Local District and the State.

1. During the State of Emergency, Fee for Service Medicaid will relax prior authorization requirements for the provision of urgent services.

2. Providers will not be required to request authorization to treat enrolled beneficiaries for the provision of urgent services and will be reimbursed accordingly.

In the event that telecommunication failures prevent access to the Medicaid Eligibility Verification System, the Medicaid ID card will suffice as eligibility verification. If access to the eMedNY system prevents real-time claim adjudication, pharmacies should dispense emergency supplies as necessary.

Questions should be referred to the CSC Call Center at 800-343-9000.