The NYS Council is proud to be a partner with the Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP), New York’s mental health and substance use disorder care ombudsman program. CHAMP is available to help all New Yorkers overcome health insurance barriers to mental health and substance use disorder services.  CHAMP helps individuals access care by providing information, advocacy, and referrals along with help and accompaniment through the insurance grievance fair hearings and appeals process when care is being denied unfairly or illegally.

CHAMP is a joint program of the NYS Office of Addiction Supports and Services and Office of Mental Health in partnership with the Community Service Society of New York, Legal Action Center, New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, and Medicare Rights Center, as well as nine community-based organizations.

Community Service Society (CSS) operates the helpline, taking calls from care recipients, their families and advocates, and providers. The Legal Action Center provides education, outreach, and technical assistance in matters related to healthcare parity. The Medicare Rights Center provides client support, education, and technical assistance to CHAMP in matters relating to Medicare. The NYS Council provides outreach and education throughout New York and technical assistance to the helpline staff and the organizations that have direct contact with care recipients, including navigating access to mental health and substance use disorder care for families seeking assistance. We also provide policy and regulatory insights and recommendations, designed to address reforms clearly necessary based on the data and trends.

Of the nine community based organizations (CBOs), three are NYS Council members: Family Counseling Services of Cortland County, Inc., Family and Children’s Association, and Phoenix Houses of New York and Long Island. The remaining six organizations can be seen in the graphic below. The CBOS are designated as regional partners with CHAMP, located in key areas of New York State that have demonstrated high needs. They work with individuals, their families, providers, and local public health entities, assisting with outreach, education, and support in navigating insurance barriers to accessing needed mental health and substance use disorder services.