(September 1999)

Beginning this September, the Chapter will be a test site for the NYC MCCAP. Under a subcontracted arrangement with the Community Service Society, its purpose is to assist social workers who provide services to consumers with managed care insurance benefits.

The Chapter is unique among the initial ten test sites chosen as the only one that is a professional membership organization. In being selected, NYC NASW was recognized as having a record and expertise in tracking provider and consumer experiences with managed care as evidenced by the Managed Care Critical Incident Report Project (CIRP) accomplishments. The MCCAP Project is a natural outgrowth of CIRP that has been in operation since January 1998 under the sponsorship of the Health care Policy and Practice Network. Examples of other tests are Citizen's Advice Bureau, GMHC, Puerto Rican Family Institute, and Legal Aid Society.

MCCAP at the Chapter will educate social workers to all aspects of managed care and serve as a resource for the New York area social work community. The MCCAP at the Chapter will educate social workers to all aspects of managed care and serve as a resource for the New York area social work community. The MCCAP Project is particularly timely as New York City institutes mandated Medicaid managed care. Social workers will be trained through MCCAP on the Managed Care consumer bill of Rights, enrollment/disenrollment policies, access to specialists, and other managed health/mental health care procedures. Social workers will learn specific strategies for effective advocacy work when consumers are confronted with problems negotiating the health/mental health managed care system.

The Project will be coordinated by Dava Weinstein with assistance from staff and volunteers. The Project's cost to the chapter will be paid by the Community Service Society which is administering a larger grant from the New York City Counsel. The Chapter will work closely with the other test sites to document experiences and advocate for increased accountability of the managed care industry. Initial plans include a free training program open the Chapter members to be held in the fall.

Support from Board Members is invaluable. We urge your continued participation through return of CIRP forms when you are involved in a managed care critical incident either as a social work professional or consumer. We urge you to educate your colleagues and staffs in your agencies about the fall MCCAP training that will be offered to the general membership when details of the seminar are finalized.