Dear Members Families, & Friends,

We invite you to join us in celebrating PHP’s 7th Anniversary!

We Excelled

• An independent evaluation funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reports that PHP’s innovative solutions like the pharmacy management program reduced errors, unnecessary emergency department visits, and length of hospital stays.

• The telehealth program successfully resolved 90% of member’s concerns which prevented trips to the hospital.

• More members completed colorectal cancer screening; diabetes testing and controls; controlled high blood pressure; completed annual dental visits and received annual flu vaccines compared to national and New York State health plans.

• 90% of PHP members have received at least one dose of the primary COVID-19 vaccination.

• 70% of the eligible members have received the booster dose.

We Talked About Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

• We expanded the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Department, added more staff volunteers to our dedicated DEI council with representation from across the organization, held multiple cultural recognition forums and safe space conversations, and added to our DEI related education modules for staff.

We Expanded Our Services & Supports

• We added 1,200 new providers, including Stonybrook Medicine enhancing our Network for members on Long Island.

• Implemented an in-house Patient Care Assessment team to quickly get home care services in place.

• New contracts with DentaQuest & Ridehealth to provide better dental & transportation services.

• Partnered with Solvere Health to pilot specialized IDD mobile dental clinics at select-day service locations in Metro New York.

• Over-the Counter (OTC) cards were added to the benefit package for more than 600 community members.

• We launched a text messaging program to provide health care reminders, supporting preventative health care and wellness for our members.

We Supported You

• Our Designated Representative Committee met 96 times to review more than 700 Life Plans.

• PHP hosted 3 Member & Family meetings, 4 Participant Advisory Committee meetings, 6 family education sessions, and 8 Peer Empowerment Group meetings.

We Advocated

• Provided recommendations to OPWDD Commissioner Neifeld regarding COVID-19 protections for people with IDD.
• Members and families testified before the General Assembly on the 2023-2027 OPWDD 5.07 Strategic Plan.
  
• Members, families, and staff rallied at the NYS Capitol in support of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).

• Comments provided by PHP resulted in modifications to the proposed DOH 1115 waiver changes.

We Celebrated

• PHP earned NCQA-Certification on the HEDIS Compliance Audit

Karleen Haines, Chief of Member Relations and Advocacy, appeared on the BronxNet OPEN to discuss the Partners Health Plan (PHP) non-traditional care management model that will be offering specialized dental care services for PHP members-- enrollees with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)-- via mobile dental clinics in a partnership with Solvere Health.

PHP is the first-in-the-nation, non-profit, provider-led managed care organization, designed by IDD experts, that fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid for individuals 21 years and older with IDD. 

Partners Health Plan Chief Operating Officer Courtney Skivington-Wolf, RN was interviewed by the Capitol Pressroom, a daily public radio program that reaches more than two dozen stations across New York. Host David Lombardo spoke to Courtney about the specific needs and challenges associated with vaccinating people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for the flu and COVID-19. Click here to listen to the interview.

Dear Members, Families, and Friends,

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) has chosen this year’s theme for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM); “A World of Opportunities, we’re celebrating people and working together to remove obstacles. Our goal is to build a community that’s committed to creating a world where everyone can do well and succeed.”

This aligns with our mission and our work to advocate for the rights of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) so they may live life to the fullest! Our entire team is focused on supporting and empowering Partners Health Plan members and families.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities represents a variety of conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and many others. The individuals we support require various specialized IDD care coordination support and services to meet their unique needs. This requires advocacy, which is at the heart of our work.

We advocate for individuals with IDD so they may have safe and secure housing, employment opportunities, access to tailored IDD medical and mental healthcare, behavioral support services, and other services that are essential for managing chronic conditions.

Our work champions inclusivity and accessibility to enable individuals with IDD to live independently, achieve their life goals, participate in society on their terms, and fully engage in their communities. At the core, we recognize members for their abilities and contributions!

On behalf of the entire Partners Health Plan team during Disabilities Awareness Month, we are grateful for members, families, and friends who support our mission to assist individuals with IDD live quality lives. Thank you!

 Sincerely,


Kerry Delaney
CEO

An amazing podcast, Building Better Businesses in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), featured Partners Health Plan Medical Director, Dr. Steven Merahn, MD.

Dr. Merahn shares his views on health as a social imperative to equitably improve the ability for individuals with IDD to succeed in the world on their own terms and participate authentically as active members of family and community.  

Specialized Dental Care for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Comes to Metro NY.

January 9, 2023 — New York
Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are known to have poorer oral/dental health than people without IDD. Studies show that people with IDD have 30% more untreated cavities, 50% more missing teeth, and 150% more gum disease.

The biggest reason for this health disparity is access to oral health care for children and adults with IDD: lack of preventive and regular care, including management of secondary medical conditions that are related to oral health, leads to more significant oral health problems. Wait times for IDD specialized services can be as long as a year at practices and dental school programs that offer them.

But Partners Health Plan (PHP), a NY-based health plan that is exclusively dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of individuals with IDD, is committed to ensuring the oral health of its members.

“Improving access to dental care for our community of service in New York State is mission-critical,” added Steven Merahn, MD, Medical Director, Partners Health Plan. “Our overarching goal is to improve the quality of life of our members and the relationship between oral health and overall well-being is well established.”

To achieve this goal, PHP has partnered with Solvere Health to deploy specialized IDD mobile dental clinics at select-day service locations in Metro New York to reduce travel demands. Solvere Health is a company that specializes in the delivery of high-quality clinical services through group health events via mobile medical units or pop-up clinics to underserved populations. Individuals with IDD may struggle with the sights, sounds and experiences encountered during dental care, and the PHP-Solvere Dental Health Program will conduct specialized desensitization sessions to prepare individuals for the dental care experience and mobile clinic environments. The mobile dental units are also fully accessible for individuals with mobility challenges.

“Expanding the availability of quality healthcare services to underserved communities is central to Solvere Health's mission. We view the collaboration with Partner Health Plan as a way to make quality dental care accessible to persons with I/DD,” stated Edward Lorch, CEO, Solvere Health, “Our mobile clinics offer a solution that is empathetic and considerate. We factor in the patient population's comfort (including desensitization), convenience, mobility, and communication. When engineering and staffing the mobile clinic, we understand that taking a holistic view of the patient leads to a positive oral healthcare experience and repeat preventative care.”

“This mobile dental clinic initiative is a very exciting opportunity as it will open access to oral healthcare,” noted Rita Marie Bilello, DDS, CEO, and former Dental Director of Metro Community Health Centers. “This new dental care model will bridge a much-needed gap for Partners Health Plan (PHP) members, all adults with IDD, who have been unable to access routine preventative oral health care services. Mobilizing dental services will begin to address some of the access issues and will allow for PHP to better assist in getting their members the oral care that they need.”

The first mobile dental clinic for PHP members is scheduled at the PHP corporate headquarters located at 2500 Halsey Street in the Bronx on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Future mobile health clinic locations will include locations in the New York City, Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), Rockland County, and Westchester County where PHP operates. PHP welcomes partnerships with local agencies to serve as destination sites for a mobile clinic.

For more information please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

News organizations that want to attend/cover the first clinic should reach out to Elizabeth Wales, Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 518-410-5629.

About Partners Health Plan
Partners Health Plan (PHP) is the first-in-the-nation, provider-led managed care organization that fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid for individuals 21 years and older with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), so they have the most complete care package. PHP provides person-centered care for whole-person wellness addressing the physical, behavioral, and social needs of individuals to assist them in living a quality life. The plan operates in 4 New York State regions (nine downstate counties): New York City, Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), Rockland County, and Westchester County. For more information, visit www.phpcares.org.

About Solvere Health
Working with state and federal, institutional, and corporate partners, Solvere Health brings a business discipline to health challenges across the United States through onsite, mobile, and digital healthcare solutions. Deploying a team of highly motivated, accountable problem solvers, we stand up sustainable, end-to-end programs in rapid response to group health events, disaster relief, and underserved rural communities, via onsite pop-ups, mobile clinics, and strategically placed brick-and-mortar locations. Our efficient approach combines exacting strategic planning, comprehensive compliance management, unparalleled logistics, state-of-the-art mobile healthcare technology, and emerging digital health applications.

Partners Health Plan was a featured MediSked Podcast guest on January 4, 2023,. The podcast entitled, “Inclusion Benefits All-- The Case for Employing Neurodiverse Individuals” delivered important information on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. Karleen Haines, Chief of Member Relations & Advocacy in the podcast’s Q&A delivered key points on the value of eliminating barriers and diversifying the workforce, especially if the hiring goals are embedded in the organization’s mission.

Listeners are asked thought provoking questions such as, “What type of support do I need to provide individuals, so they are successful? What are the positive outcomes when employing people with a disability? How are we writing the job descriptions and recruiting to ensure we have a diverse candidate pool?”

PHP Member, Ackeem Duggan, shared his personal employment journey. We learn about his challenges and ultimate rewards of financial gain, stability, independence, professional, and personal growth, community inclusion and belonging, making new friends, and experiencing improved mental health and personal well-being.

The program emphasizes that successful employment outcomes are rooted in advocacy. This episode is a testament to effective care management and coordination to assist individuals with disabilities live their best lives. Care Managers, who are fierce advocates for the individuals they support, ensure the necessary supports and services are in place. Does an individual have a job coach who can help them make meaningful connections and provide training and onboarding support?

Ackeem describes how those pieces and previous successes were in place for him. Today, he is happy and successful working for the NYPD Director of Community Affairs.

 Listen to this episode and let us know what you think! Ep. 10: Inclusion Benefits All – The Case for Employing Neurodiverse Individuals - MediSked, LLC

Albany, NY – Special Olympics New York is pleased to announce that their Virtual Health & Wellness Forums will now be sponsored by Care Coordination Organization Care Design NY and Partners Health Plan (PHP), the only IDD-specialized health plan in New York.

These Health & Wellness Forums allow the Special Olympics NY community a space to engage with health-focused individuals and organizations, with the goal of bettering access to health care, education, and inclusive activities for people with intellectual disabilities.

“Health and wellness are paramount to the continued competitive success of our athletes,” said Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “We know our friends at Care Design NY and Partners Health Plan feel the same, and we are grateful for their support.”

“We are thrilled to begin a partnership with Special Olympics New York which includes sponsoring virtual health and wellness forums geared towards educating and empowering individuals with IDD,” said Kerry Delaney, CEO of Care Design NY and Partners Health Plan. “We share a common bond in developing and advancing inclusive health initiatives where everyone can participate and improve their physical and social-emotional well-being. This partnership is truly a win-win, and we are proud to be part of it.”

The Virtual Health & Wellness Forums began on September 19 with 2023 Special Olympics NY Golisano Health Leadership Award recipient Claire Watson. The next forum will commence on Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30 PM with Downstate Clinical Director Laura Malick, RD. Prospective attendees are invited to register here.

Partners Health Plan (PHP) has expanded dental services to its members, adults (21 years and older) with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Through its nonprofit, non-traditional tailored IDD care model, PHP partnered with Solvere Health to bring mobile dental clinics to members, making oral care accessible.

On Saturday, May 6, the Institutes of Applied Human Dynamics (iAHD) hosted the mobile dental clinic at their Bainbridge dayhab location. PHP members were treated by oral health care providers with specific expertise related to individuals with IDD.

Erica Robinson, iAHD Director of Clinical Supports stated,

“It was amazing that we were able to have thirteen individuals receive dental services on Saturday on location at IAHD! The collaboration with Partners Health Plan, Solvere Health, and iAHD is the future of dental services for people supported.”

Karleen Haines, Chief of DEIB & Member Advocacy, Veronica Crawford, Individual and Family Liaison and Self-Advocate, and Carrie Delong, RN, Director of Health Care Management presented, "Managing my Health and Wellness" at The New York Alliance's Living & Working in the Community Conference; an event focused on innovative, best practices in Self-Direction. 

Workshop participants received tips, tools, and resources to support individuals in achieving and maintaining independence through overall health and wellness. 

Partners Health Plan is a not-for-profit managed care organization serving individuals with IDD to support their goals and dreams. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT SELF DIRECTION

Partners Health Plan CEO Kerry Delaney and Medical Director Steven Merahn, MD, showcased their leadership and expertise at the 12th Annual Special Needs Plan (SNP) Leadership Summit. The summit (May 24-26), organized by RISE, brings together influential figures in the health plan industry to share insights on enhancing patient outcomes.

Delaney and Dr. Merahn had the privilege of opening the summit and delivering a presentation titled "Intellectual and Developmental Disability: A Health Disparities Population." The presentation demonstrated how Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) should be classified by federal and state governments as a “health disparities population.”

More than three decades after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), disabled Americans still face barriers to health care, lower quality of care, and disparate health outcomes. The IDD population faces challenges regarding access to health care for their urgent and long-term needs. Further, they struggle with inequitable access to transportation, education, housing, employment and other non-medical determinants of health. Existing health, economic and social policies worsen these disparities.

Throughout their presentation, Delaney and Dr. Merahn examined individuals with IDD to address the distinct patterns of conditions, functional limitations, and risk factors that impact their health quality. Recognizing that traditional SNP operations and care models may not sufficiently support goal achievement for individuals with IDD, they explored IDD through the lens of health disparities. This approach allows for the development of a person-centered care model that accounts for functional, home, and community supports.

The presentation also provided valuable insights into the challenges and best practices for caring for individuals with IDD, with the goal of generating value not only for members, but for family/caregivers, provider networks, and the plan itself.

A specialized mobile dental clinic, in partnership with Solvere Health, brought dental care and smiles to Partners Health Plan (PHP) members on February 18. PHP is the first-in-the-nation, non-profit, provider-led managed care organization that fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid for individuals 21 years and older with IDD. We are dedicated to expanding access to quality healthcare to assist members in living quality lives.

Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are known to have poorer oral/dental health than people without IDD. Studies show that people with IDD have 30% more untreated cavities, 50% more missing teeth, and 150% more gum disease.

The biggest reason for this health disparity is access to oral health care for children and adults with IDD: lack of preventive and regular care, including management of secondary medical conditions that are related to oral health, leads to more significant oral health problems. Wait times for IDD specialized services can be as long as a year at practices and dental school programs that offer them.

But Partners Health Plan (PHP), a NY-based health plan that is exclusively dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of individuals with IDD, is committed to ensuring the oral health of its members.

“Improving access to dental care for our community of service in New York State is mission-critical,” added Steven Merahn, MD, Medical Director, Partners Health Plan. “Our overarching goal is to improve the quality of life of our members and the relationship between oral health and overall well-being is well established.”
To achieve this goal, PHP has partnered with Solvere Health to deploy specialized IDD mobile dental clinics at select-day service locations in Metro New York to reduce travel demands.

Solvere Health is a company that specializes in the delivery of high-quality clinical services through group health events via mobile medical units or pop-up clinics to underserved populations. Individuals with IDD may struggle with the sights, sounds and experiences encountered during dental care, and the PHP-Solvere Dental Health Program will conduct specialized desensitization sessions to prepare individuals for the dental care experience and mobile clinic environments. The mobile dental units are also fully accessible for individuals with mobility challenges.

“Expanding the availability of quality healthcare services to underserved communities is central to Solvere Health's mission. We view the collaboration with Partner Health Plan as a way to make quality dental care accessible to persons with I/DD,” stated Edward Lorch, CEO, Solvere Health, “Our mobile clinics offer a solution that is empathetic and considerate. We factor in the patient population's comfort (including desensitization), convenience, mobility, and communication. When engineering and staffing the mobile clinic, we understand that taking a holistic view of the patient leads to a positive oral healthcare experience and repeat preventative care.”

“This mobile dental clinic initiative is a very exciting opportunity as it will open access to oral healthcare,” noted Rita Marie Bilello, DDS, CEO, and former Dental Director of Metro Community Health Centers. “This new dental care model will bridge a much-needed gap for Partners Health Plan (PHP) members, all adults with IDD, who have been unable to access routine preventative oral health care services. Mobilizing dental services will begin to address some of the access issues and will allow for PHP to better assist in getting their members the oral care that they need.”

About Partners Health Plan
Partners Health Plan (PHP) is the first-in-the-nation, provider-led managed care organization that fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid for individuals 21 years and older with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), so they have the most complete care package. PHP provides person-centered care for whole-person wellness addressing the physical, behavioral, and social needs of individuals to assist them in living a quality life. The plan operates in 4 New York State regions (nine downstate counties): New York City, Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), Rockland County, and Westchester County. For more information, visit www.phpcares.org.

About Solvere Health
Working with state and federal, institutional, and corporate partners, Solvere Health brings a business discipline to health challenges across the United States through onsite, mobile, and digital healthcare solutions. Deploying a team of highly motivated, accountable problem solvers, we stand up sustainable, end-to-end programs in rapid response to group health events, disaster relief, and underserved rural communities, via onsite pop-ups, mobile clinics, and strategically placed brick-and-mortar locations. Our efficient approach combines exacting strategic planning, comprehensive compliance management, unparalleled logistics, state-of-the-art mobile healthcare technology, and emerging digital health applications.