By the Numbers

Overview

The systems in our State are operating every day to ensure quality supports and services are delivered to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities. We are committed to open dialogue, including sharing this data so that you can stay informed as we continue to help more and more people experience a full life based on their unique needs and choices.

This data provides information on the characteristics of people with developmental disabilities in New York State covered under the Medicaid program and the types of services they receive.

Understanding the Data

Download a fact sheet breaking down the types of services and terms referenced in the data.

Fact Sheet

Services and Funding for People with Developmental Disabilities

The source of the data, also referred to as claims data, reflects reimbursement or payments related to the delivery of health services. Due to the requirements around the information needed to determine the payment/reimbursement of a claim, this data is more reliable and more commonly used to describe services and supports. 

The payments in this analysis reflect the gross (all shares) expenditures for OPWDD Medicaid services. In the Medicaid program, the federal government, state and localities contribute to the cost care and are responsible for a portion, or share, of the gross payment.

Ninety-five percent of people accessing OPWDD services and supports have Medicaid coverage.

In 2020, over 120,000 people received OPWDD Medicaid services and supports. This represents an increase of approximately 13% from 2014.

Medicaid Services at OPWDD
 Table 1. People and Payments by Year
Year People Payments
2014 107,077 $6,605,307,127
2015 110,461 $6,839,842,165
2016 113,561 $7,104,090,139
2017 115,575 $7,275,378,778
2018 117,935 $7,461,426,570
2019 119,840 $8,061,998,095
2020 121,898 $8,348,961,777

 

People Receiving OPWDDD Medicaid Services
See a breakdown of people receiving Medicaid services in 2020 by sex, ethnicity and age group.
People Receiving OPWDD Medicaid Services and Payments by County
See a breakdown of people receiving Medicaid services and payments in 2020 by County.
Understanding Primary Diagnosis

People with developmental disabilities may have multiple diagnoses. For example, a person with a primary diagnosis of intellectual disability may also have a secondary diagnosis of epilepsy.

The primary diagnosis is identified for people during the determination of eligibility for Medicaid services.

While additional or co-occurring conditions may be identified, the primary diagnosis is required and can be accurately reported.

Services Funded
By Fee-for-Service Medicaid in 2020
By the FIDA-IDD Managed Care Program in 2020
Data Book for Strategic Planning
The data book provides information on past utilization to help inform future planning.
NCI Staff Stability Survey
OPWDD sent the National Core Indicators (NCI) Staff Stability Survey to 347 qualifying agencies across NYS. The data gathered refer to the period between January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, during which 63,337 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) were employed across 261 participating agencies.