New York Medicaid Eligibility Verification (MEVS and ePACES)
New York's eligibility system answers more than whether a member is covered. A single MEVS response tells you the county financially responsible, and any Medicare, other insurance, or managed care coverage on the date of service. For behavioral health, that is most of what decides where the claim goes.
Short answer
Verify New York Medicaid eligibility through MEVS, the Medicaid Eligibility Verification System, most easily via ePACES, the free web method for providers with an eMedNY ETIN. MEVS can also be reached by phone and other methods. The response shows eligibility for the date of service, the county with financial responsibility, and any Medicare, third-party, or HMO coverage. For behavioral health, use it to decide between fee-for-service, a mainstream managed care plan, or a HARP.
Where to check
| Method | What it is |
|---|---|
| ePACES | Free web access to MEVS for providers with a valid eMedNY ETIN, suited to small and mid-size practices |
| Audio response | Telephone verification |
| Other MEVS access | Terminal, batch, and system-to-system links for larger organizations |
Source: eMedNY MEVS Provider Manual.
What the response tells you
- Eligibility on the date of service. Not today, the date the service will be delivered.
- County with financial responsibility. Which local district is responsible for the member.
- Medicare and other insurance. Coordination of benefits for dually eligible and commercially covered members, a common New York denial.
- Managed care coverage. Whether the member is enrolled with a managed care plan, which determines where behavioral health is billed.
What the check has to answer for behavioral health
Whether the member is fee-for-service, in a mainstream managed care plan, or in a Health and Recovery Plan for adults with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, because authorization rules multiply across plans. Members switching plans mid-episode are a frequent source of denials, so recheck before each visit. Eligibility will not tell you whether your site's OMH or OASAS licensure supports the service, or whether your clinician is in the plan's network.
Verify at booking, then before each visit
Eligibility can change between booking and the visit, so check both times. Stable's AI receptionist verifies insurance during the booking call or text and books the patient with a clinician credentialed with their plan.
Related: the New York Medicaid billing guide, insurance verification for behavioral health and eligibility denials.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify New York Medicaid eligibility?
Through MEVS, the Medicaid Eligibility Verification System. ePACES is the free web method for providers with an eMedNY ETIN; telephone and other access methods are also available.
What does a MEVS response include?
Eligibility for the date of service, the county with financial responsibility, and any Medicare, third-party insurance, or HMO coverage the member has for that date.
What is a HARP?
A Health and Recovery Plan: a New York Medicaid managed care product for adults with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, with its own behavioral health benefits and authorization rules.
Is ePACES free?
Yes. ePACES is a free service for providers with internet access and a valid eMedNY ETIN.
The right payer, before the first session.
See Stable verify a New York Medicaid member's coverage and plan during booking and match them to an in-network clinician.
Book a Demo