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Frequently Asked Questions

What is SOMOS (formerly Advocate Community Providers)?

SOMOS is a network of over 2,500 physicians in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn who have come together to ensure better health care for Medicaid members.

We are one of 25 networks across New York State that have been chosen to lead this statewide health care initiative. SOMOS is the only physician-led network. Our doctors are in your community. We speak your language and understand your culture.

What will SOMOS do for me?

The goal of SOMOS is to bring you better care and to make it easier for you to stay healthy. Our Community Health Workers will coordinate with your doctors and specialists, help you make appointments, avoid extra tests, remind you to pick up your medications and answer your questions.

Who is paying for these new services?

The services and care coordination provided by SOMOS are covered under Medicaid. There is no new or additional expense to you.

These services are provided through a joint effort of state and federal government called the Delivery System Reform Incentive Program (DSRIP). The main goal of DSRIP is to reduce avoidable hospitalizations by 25% over 5 years.

What has changed?

This approach is focused on building strong patient-doctor relationships that encourage open communication and help you stay healthy through better preventive care. Our Community Health Workers will coordinate with your doctors and specialists, help you make appointments, avoid extra tests, remind you to pick up your medications and answer your questions. Your doctors and specialists will be able to share records electronically for better collaboration. We want to make it easier for you to stay healthy.

Who is included in the SOMOS network? 

SOMOS is a network of community physicians like yours. By making an appointment with your SOMOS primary care physician, you automatically benefit from these new services.

Who are the physicians in the SOMOS network?

The physicians in the SOMOS network are your community doctors. They live in your neighborhood, speak your language and understand your culture. Through the SOMOS network, local, independent physicians are able to work together and share resources to serve you and your family better.

If I am a patient how do I benefit from the SOMOS Network?  

You do not have to do anything to join! If you are a Medicaid patient living in New York City follow these 3 simple steps to see a SOMOS physician.

Step 1: Use our Provider Directory to find SOMOS physicians in your community.

Step 2: Contact your Medicaid insurance provider and ask if the SOMOS physician(s) you selected participates in your insurance providers network and how you can switch.

Step 3: Contact the SOMOS physician(s) you have selected and schedule an appointment. Make sure you have your insurance card before calling.

I am a physician or health care provider, how can I join SOMOS?

At this time SOMOS is not accepting new health care providers and physicians into its network. Physicians and health care providers interested in joining the network can contact SOMOS about joining one of its legacy IPAs.

What is DSRIP?

New York State’s "Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program" (DSRIP) will help you, your doctors and other health care providers work together better to serve your health care needs. DSRIP is a program in which doctors, clinics, hospitals, medical and community services in your area work together to build a better health care system. This will help you get better health care. These groups of providers are forming what is called a "Performing Provider System" (PPS). PPS providers – including SOMOS – have worked to understand what your community needs to improve health care.

DSRIP

To read more about DSRIP from the New York State Department of Health, click here. For a glossary of DSRIP-related terms, click here.

DSRIP at a Glance

Still Need Help? Please call the DSRIP Call Center at 1-855-329-8850 Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 8:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. If you need help in a language other than English, call 1-855-329-8850 and tell the Consumer Services Specialist. Help is free. TTY: 1-800-662-1220.

Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA)

The PPS has submitted an application for a Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) to establish appropriate state supervision for purposes of creating state action immunity under state and federal antitrust laws for collaborative activities pursued in connection with DSRIP. The COPA application sets forth the goals and objectives of the PPS relating to its participation in the DSRIP Program, along with the nature and scope of activities and cooperation likely to be included to achieve those goals and objectives as described in its PPS DSRIP Application. Information about the PPS’s DSRIP and COPA applications are available here:

SOMOS is a Not-For Profit Corporation that supports the New York State Medicaid Redesign Program for a network of providers in the New York City area that services Medicaid patients. 

If you are a Medicaid patient interested in finding a SOMOS Doctor, applying for Medicaid or would like more information about SOMOS. Please explore our website at www.somoscommunitycare.org.

SOMOS itself is not a health care provider and does not provide medical services.