Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the data used in the dashboards from?
All data published in the UHF dashboards are publicly available on New York State or federal websites. The exact data sources are linked in the “Footnotes and Sources” section on the bottom of each page. Methodological notes for visualizations are also included in the footnotes.

How often are the dashboards updated?
UHF updates the enrollment dashboards at least quarterly. The expenditures dashboards are updated annually. All dashboard updates are contingent upon the release of data from the public sources noted above.

The date that each dashboard was last updated is posted on the bottom of the webpage.

What services are covered under fee-for-service Medicaid?
Fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid covers all comprehensive services that New York Medicaid provides to its members; additionally, it covers any benefits that were not covered by managed care plans at the time of the service (i.e., "carved out"). Also, it will cover any benefits available to Medicaid-eligible New Yorkers who are enrolled in the Essential Plan or Child Health Plus (e.g., non-emergency medical transportation, dental, vision, hearing). 

What services are covered in the Medicaid managed care?
Managed care payments cover all the Medicaid benefits required to be covered by managed care (i.e., "carved in"). It also includes individuals enrolled in managed long-term care plans. 

How is New York Medicaid’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) set? 
The federal government's share of Medicaid costs is known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), which is computed based on the state's average per capita income relative to the national average. New York's FMAP is the minimum, 50 percent, for most Medicaid eligibility categories and services. New York receives an FMAP reimbursement above 50 percent for its Medicaid expenditures for New Yorkers eligible through the Affordable Care Act (i.e., MAGI Medicaid members) and in other special situations.

How is the FMAP affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act authorized a 6.2 percentage point increase in FMAP funds to help states maintain Medicaid enrollment during the budget shortfall. Due to Medicaid's countercyclical nature, states often struggle to maintain Medicaid enrollment during times of lower employment and state revenue taxes. The enhanced FMAP is available from January 1, 2020, through the quarter the public health emergency ends. Although this funding change is in effect, the state expenditures data represented in the UHF dashboards mostly predates this funding change and, as such, is not captured in the dashboards.

See also: Kaiser Family Foundation. May 4, 2020. Key Questions About the New Increase in Federal Medicaid Matching Funds for COVID-19.

Why has Medicaid enrollment grown so much since March 2020?
Although there are many contributing factors to the recent increase in Medicaid enrollment, it is likely that increased unemployment and underemployed due to the COVID-19 induced economic crisis was the primary cause. A secondary factor is that, in order to receive for the enhanced FMAP (explained above), states are largely prohibited from removing people enrolled as of March 18, 2020, through the end of the month in which the public health emergency ends. As a result, some of the increased enrollment is due to this "maintenance of coverage" provision.

See also: United Hospital Fund. June 8, 2020. Lessons from the Great Recession: New York Medicaid Enrollment During the COVID-19 Crisis.

Can I download the dashboards?
Yes. There are several download options. Click on the “Download” icon in the bottom right corner of each dashboard. See "Dashboard Controls," below, for more.

We recommend using the following model to cite the dashboards. Please update the title of the dashboard depending on which graphic you use:

"United Hospital Fund. 2021. Total New York Medicaid Monthly Enrollment, April 2019-July 2021. New York Medicaid Dashboards. Data retrieved from New York State Department of Health website. https://uhfnyc.org/our-work/initiatives/medicaid-institute/dashboards/."

Dashboard Controls

These controls found in the bottom right corner of the dashboard help manipulate the view. From the left:

  • Undo: Undo any change to the view or selection in the dashboard.
  • Redo: Redo any change to the view or selection in the dashboard.
  • Reset: Reset the workbook to the default view.
  • Share: For a shareable link to the dashboard.
  • Download: Download the dashboard. A pop-up window offers several options:
    • Image: Download current view in dashboard as a .png file.
    • PDF: Download current view, or specific sheets from the dashboard as a static PDF. Best for graphs that fit in a single frame. Data beyond the current frame will be cut.
    • PowerPoint: Download current view, or specific sheets from the dashboard as a .png file for a PowerPoint presentation. 
  • Full screen: Expands dashboard to full screen. Exit full screen by hitting “Esc” on keyboard.

For additional help or to report any issue with the dashboards, please contact Alexandra Brandes or Emily Arsen.