Streamlining New York’s Medicaid Excess Income Program

New York State’s Medicaid Excess Income Program (EIP) is bogged down by complicated processing requirements that lead to high costs and delays in much-needed coverage and care for patients, according to this NYHealth-funded study conducted by Manatt Health Solutions.

EIP serves approximately 150,000 New Yorkers with large and ongoing medical expenses, but whose incomes are slightly too high to meet the regular Medicaid income eligibility standards. While most Medicaid beneficiaries provide paperwork on an annual basis to maintain coverage, EIP recipients are required to provide paperwork monthly, generating avoidable administrative costs for State and local counties, and often forcing EIP beneificiaries to wait for care or coverage.

The report is based on interviews with State and local Medicaid officials, consumer advocates, providers, and national and State policy experts; analysis of the Federal and State laws, rules, regulations, and program guidance; and a review of relevant literature.