Person Centered Services and six other care coordination organizations (CCO) are the only entities that address the comprehensive care needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in New York state. We provide health home care management by coordinating available medical, social and other services to improve overall health and quality of life for people with I/DD.
We wholeheartedly support any and all increases in funding for our provider partners, including the updated reimbursement rates for nonprofit residential and day-service providers — although it is crucial the entire system receives a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) in the 2025 NYS budget.
Person Centered Services and the other CCOs, which are funded entirely through Medicaid, are requesting that the COLA be restored for CCOs in the 2025 NYS budget and that it be increased from 2.1% to 7.8%. This is essential to keep up with inflation, stay competitive in hiring and retain care coordinators to meet the needs of the children and adults we support, as well as their families.
Last year in the 2024 NYS budget, Person Centered Services and the other CCOs were excluded from the COLA afforded to other human services organizations. In addition, the CCOs received a 4% Medicaid rate reduction in the 2024 state budget.
The demand for care coordination is rising, with 2,000 new enrollees annually with more than 21,000 people currently in the enrollment process for all seven CCOs — potentially increasing the number of people served by 20%.
Labor costs are also surging for CCOs. From 2022 to 2023, care coordinator/manager salary and benefit costs grew by nearly $41 million (14%). Meanwhile, workers’ compensation costs rose by more than $1 million (66%).
There are nearly 130,000 children and adults in New York state with I/DD who have Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) eligibility. More than 18,000 people who live in 18 counties throughout Western New York, the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier regions receive care coordination services from Person Centered Services.
Most people (75%) with I/DD live with family or on their own. They need care coordination to stay healthy and connected to their communities.
Children and adults with I/DD are among the most vulnerable in our population with challenging lives requiring a holistic approach for all their social support and complex medical needs. As neighbors, family members, co-workers, spouses or participants in other roles, people who receive care coordination services must have the same rights, responsibilities and opportunities as all others.
(Alicia Fellows is chief executive officer of Person Centered Services in Buffalo.)
