How to connect with your Social Care Network in New York, by county

DOH's program page lists the ways a member "can access SCN services":

1. "answering the NYS Medicaid Screening questions to get connected to help: screening.shinny.org"
2. "going to the regional Social Care Network website and filling out the self-screener or calling their direct line"
3. "speaking with their provider or care manager"
4. "contacting their health plan"
5. "asking a community based organization that is participating in the network"

For a family helping an older relative, the fastest path is usually the state screening site, because it does not require knowing which network you belong to. The screening is sent, in the site's words, "to the appropriate Social Care Network."

The state screening site asks for a few things before the questions begin:

• The Medicaid ID number, which the state calls the CIN. The site says the format is "2 letters + 5 numbers + 1 letter (e.g. AA12345B)." DOH's Medicaid 101 fact sheet says it is printed on the plan's member card (sometimes labeled "Program ID," "Member ID," or "ID#") or, for people without a plan, on the Medicaid benefit card.
• First and last name, a phone number, and the five-digit ZIP code of the member.
• Who is filling it out. The site lets you pick yourself, a parent or guardian for a minor, a legally authorized representative, or a provider or community organization. A caregiver can complete it for a relative.

The site also asks for consent before any questions. Its consent screen says the state "may share your answers with your other health care providers, and with your health plan and social services organizations," and that "we can only check for services if you do answer." If you decline, the form stops.

The screening site is offered in eleven languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, and Vietnamese. It does not currently offer Russian, Haitian Creole, Bengali, or Yiddish. For those languages, calling the regional network's line or asking a provider to screen you is the better door, since DOH's rules require networks to screen members in their language of choice.

DOH's member page has a county lookup and a table that lists each network's phone line and website. This site does not name the organizations that run the networks; the official list is the only one to trust, and it is linked in the sources below. What we can do is show which counties travel together, so you know which region to look for.

The Brooklyn and Queens ZIP exception is real and easy to miss. DOH's program page puts it in a footnote: those eight ZIP codes are served by the Staten Island network "in partnership with" the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens network. If you live in one of them, either line should be able to route you.

Your region is set by the address on file with Medicaid, not where you happen to be. DOH's operations manual says members "can be screened anywhere in the state, regardless of their assigned SCN region," so a wrong first call is not wasted.

The state uses a standard twelve-question screen. In plain terms, it asks about:

• your living situation and whether you have a steady place to stay
• problems in the home such as pests, mold, lead, no heat, a broken stove, missing smoke detectors, or leaks
• whether a utility company has threatened to shut off service
• whether food ran out, or you worried it would, in the past year
• whether a lack of transportation kept you from appointments, work, or errands
• whether you want help finding work or with school and training
• four optional questions about safety in your relationships

It does not ask about diagnoses, medications, or how much help you need with bathing or dressing. That is the job of the NYIA home care assessment, which is a separate process.

The screening site confirms with one line: "We have received the screening information and submitted it to the appropriate Social Care Network." There is no confirmation number and no promised date.

DOH's operations manual sets targets for the networks, not guarantees for members. The network is expected to contact a member within five business days of a screening that shows a need, and to start navigation or an enhanced-service referral within seven business days. Providers are expected to make three outreach attempts within five business days. If a member fills out the web screen with no live conversation, the manual says the network may call to "validate member identity and re-enter member Screening answers." Expect a call from an unfamiliar number, and answer it.

Navigation, in DOH's words, "involves working with a Social Care Navigator to get connected to services and may take place in-person or over the phone." Screening normally happens once in a rolling twelve months, or sooner after a big change such as a move, a hospital stay, a loss of housing or benefits, or a new baby.

DOH's eligibility summary says: "All Medicaid members, including Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Medicaid Managed Care (MMC), can be screened." The difference is what can follow.

• No plan (fee-for-service): "Medicaid FFS members can receive navigation to existing federal, state, and local resources." The temporary paid services are not available on this track.
• Managed Long Term Care or Medicaid Advantage Plus: you can be screened and navigated. DOH's manual says these members are not eligible for the network's nutrition services except cooking supplies; other temporary services may apply if the member meets the clinical rules.
• Mainstream Medicaid managed care, HIV special needs, or HARP plans: the full set of temporary services is possible for members who meet the clinical criteria.

None of this is something to sort out at home. Ask the navigator what track you are on.

DOH says it three ways: "There is no cost for Medicaid Members to receive assistance determining any social needs impacting their overall health," "there is no cost for navigation," and members with qualifying conditions "can receive temporary services at no cost." The member page also says, "Medical benefits for Medicaid Members are not affected by the Social Care Network program," and that screening does not affect SNAP or WIC eligibility.

DOH requires each network to post a complaint form on its website's home page and to respond and resolve within 45 calendar days. There is no state phone line just for network complaints. DOH's Medicaid 101 fact sheet for members points to the Medicaid Helpline at 1-800-541-2831 for general questions, and program-level concerns go to the program's mailbox listed on DOH's page. If the problem is sorting out which program handles a need, NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871 remains the line built for that.

• Not having the Medicaid number. The state screening site will not proceed without it. Find the card first.
• Expecting a home care assessment. The network screens for food, housing, transportation, and safety. It does not assess the need for an aide; that is NYIA.
• Missing the follow-up call. A web screening usually leads to a phone call. Unknown-number calls in the days after are likely the network.
• Waiting past the target window. If nothing happens in two weeks, call the regional line from DOH's table and ask for the status of the screening.
• Paying anyone. Screening and navigation are free. Anyone charging for them is not the network.

Do I need my Medicaid ID to use screening.shinny.org?

Yes. The site requires the member's Medicaid ID (CIN) in the format two letters, five numbers, one letter. It also asks for a name, phone number, and ZIP code. If you cannot find the number, DOH's fact sheet says it is on the plan card or the Medicaid benefit card, and the Medicaid Helpline at 1-800-541-2831 can help.

Can I fill out the screening for my parent?

Yes. The site asks who is completing it and offers choices for a legally authorized representative or another person acting for the member. Consent is still required on the member's behalf, and the network may call the member to confirm.

How long until someone contacts us?

DOH's targets for networks are contact within five business days and a navigation start within seven business days after a positive screen. Those are performance goals for the networks, not promises to members. If two weeks pass, call the regional line.

Can someone in an MLTC plan be screened?

Yes. DOH says all Medicaid members can be screened and navigated. Some temporary services differ for long term care plan members; the navigator will explain which apply.

Does this replace the NYIA assessment?

No. The Social Care Network handles social needs. The home care assessment is done by the New York Independent Assessor Program at 1-855-222-8350. A member can pursue both.