IPRO Launches New York State Provider Network Lookup Tool

Jaz-Michael King

http://pndslookup.health.ny.gov

The New York State Department of Health, in collaboration with NY State of Health, the state's official health plan Marketplace, today announced the launch of the NYS Provider & Health Plan Look-Up, an online tool that consumers can use to research provider networks and health plans. With this tool, consumers shopping for health insurance can search for their preferred health care providers, including doctors and hospitals, to see which health plans have those providers in their network.

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said: "Consumers want easy access to details about the locations and providers in a plan, and whether their current doctors belong to the plan. This information will help consumers choose a plan that's appropriate for them and help them access the medical services they need."

The NYS Provider & Health Plan Look-Up will initially include information on the health care providers that participate with plans offered on the NY State of Health Marketplace, including Qualified Health Plans, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus and Medicaid Managed Care. The tool also includes information about provider networks for other Medicaid managed care programs including Managed Long Term Care (MLTC), Health and Recovery Plans (HARPs) and Fully Integrated Dual Advantage (FIDA) Plans. The tool is regularly updated using data submitted by health plans. The Tool will be updated later this year to add provider network data for commercial insurance products.

NY State of Health Executive Director Donna Frescatore said: "Consumers have told us that knowing which providers are in a health plan's network is one of the most important factors in selecting a health plan and accessing services after enrollment. This tool will be immediately available to the more than 3.6 million people who have enrolled in coverage through NY State of Health and available soon to all insured individuals in New York."

Consumers can access the NYS Provider & Health Plan Look-Up in English and Spanish at http://pndslookup.health.ny.gov For information on getting started, a tutorial video can be accessed here: https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/LookUpTutorial. In addition, every consumer applying for coverage through NY State of Health will be able to utilize the tool at the time they select their health plan.