About CHAMP
Helping New Yorkers make the most of their health insurance since 2018.
Who we are
The Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP), is New York State’s independent health insurance ombudsman program for substance use disorder and mental health care.
We are a joint program of the New York Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and Office of Mental Health (OMH). CHAMP’s goal is to remove insurance barriers to lifesaving treatment. We do this through direct assistance, outreach, and education.
CHAMP is made up of a network of advocates knowledgeable about health insurance. In partnership with the Community Service Society of New York (CSS), the Legal Action Center (LAC), the Medicare Rights Center (MRC), the New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (the NYS Council), and nine community-based organizations (CBOs), CHAMP works to help all New Yorkers.
How we got here
The 2018 New York State Executive Budget established the Office of the Independent Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Ombudsman program in Section 33.27 of the New York Mental Hygiene Law. The complicated structure of health insurance can often make it hard for people to get the care they need. This is especially true for people with mental health and substance use disorders. CHAMP was created to help people with these conditions make sure health insurance does not stand in their way of getting the treatment they need.
OASAS and OMH chose the Community Service Society of New York (CSS) to run the CHAMP program, in partnership with three specialist organizations: the Legal Action Center, Medicare Rights Center, and the New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.
CSS operates CHAMP’s statewide live-answer helpline. Nine community-based organizations provide local CHAMP services in their regions: Adirondack Health Institute; AIM Independent Living Center; Andrus; Community Health Action of Staten Island; Family and Children’s Association; Family and Children’s Counseling Services; Phoenix House; Second Chance Opportunities; and Save the Michaels of the World.
CHAMP's Impact
CHAMP helps with all types of insurance
- Medicaid: 45.30%
- Medicare: 19.30%
- Uninsured: 17.50%
- Commercial: 16.00%
- CHIP, Veterans, Public: 1.90%
