–New York's largest Medicaid Special Needs Health Plan was launched by seven community-based healthcare providers in August 2003–
–Amida Care currently serves over 9,000 New Yorkers affected by HIV, including 2,800 members who identify as transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary–
–Amida Care is the expert in HIV and gender-affirming care–
NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, Amida Care, a not-for-profit health plan specializing in providing comprehensive health coverage and coordinated care to people affected by HIV, celebrates 20 years of serving New Yorkers. The visionary plan was formed in August 2003 by community-based HIV service providers and has grown into New York's largest Medicaid managed care Special Needs Health Plan (SNP). Since its founding, Amida Care has taken a unique and innovative approach, thinking outside the box to put the needs of its members above all else, working in partnership with the providers who serve them, and playing an instrumental role in efforts to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
"Two decades ago, no one believed that seven community-based healthcare organizations with no experience with Medicaid managed care could launch a health plan. But thanks to the vision of our provider founders, we have been able to help thousands of New Yorkers live healthy, fulfilling lives by creating an innovative model of care that puts the needs of people impacted by HIV first," said Doug Wirth, President and CEO of Amida Care.
Amida Care has had tremendous success improving health outcomes for its members. Results include:
- achieving viral suppression for 80 percent of members living with HIV, an increase from 60 percent in the early 2000s;
- curing over 1,200 members of Hepatitis C, a leading cause of death among people living with HIV; and
- helping over 60 percent of transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) members access gender-affirming care, including surgeries, within three years of membership.
Today, Amida Care serves over 9,000 New Yorkers. Of these members:
- 2,800 identify as TGNCNB;
- 40 percent have experienced homelessness at least once since their HIV diagnosis;
- 90 percent have a history of substance abuse;
- Two-thirds are living with significant mental health issues including traumas;
- 55 percent are Black and 32 percent are Hispanic/Latinx – highlighting the disproportionate impact the HIV epidemic continues to have on communities of color.
Amida Care actively involves members in a structured way to seek their feedback and perspectives. The plan's groundbreaking Member Advisory Council is a group of members who provide input to help improve the plan's services. Three representatives from the Member Advisory Council are elected to sit on Amida Care's Board of Directors, highlighting members' voices in their health plan and underscoring a commitment to empowering the communities Amida Care serves.
Since its founding, Amida Care has advocated to ensure that communities most impacted by HIV have access to care and that the providers serving these communities have the necessary resources to deliver that care. Amida Care's advocacy efforts and thought leadership has consistently created real policy change. It was one of the first organizations to advocate for early Hepatitis-C coverage and treatment, which is now a covered benefit for all Medicaid recipients.
Similarly, Amida Care was one of the first to advocate for gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and surgeries, and in 2017, the organization's advocacy efforts expanded SNP eligibility for people of TGNCNB experience, regardless of HIV status. Amida Care has developed an impressive model of care to ensure TGNCNB members receive the best comprehensive, gender-affirming care possible to support them in living healthy, authentic lives. In addition to primary care, gender-affirming procedures, and mental health supports, Amida Care provides access to sexual health services, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to support its HIV-negative members in remaining HIV-negative, and contributing to the goal to end the HIV epidemic.
"Over twenty years, we have grown and evolved, but our commitment to addressing health disparities, ending HIV, breaking down barriers to care for marginalized communities, and addressing racism as a public health crisis remains steadfast. As we take a moment to celebrate all we've accomplished, we thank the leaders at the New York State AIDS Institute, Medicaid and Office of Health Insurance Programs for their vision and commitment that created the SNP HIV-experienced model of care, and we look forward to continuing to serve communities impacted by HIV," Wirth added.
Amida Care Inc. is a not-for-profit health plan that specializes in providing comprehensive health coverage and coordinated care to New Yorkers with complex conditions, including HIV and behavioral health disorders, and people who are of transgender experience or who are homeless (regardless of HIV status). Amida Care has a wide network of health care providers throughout New York City and is the largest Medicaid Special Needs Health Plan (SNP) in New York State. For more information, visit www.amidacareny.org.
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SOURCE Amida Care