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August 2026 Top of Mind

Complete required annual cultural competency training for Medicaid providers by Oct. 1, 2026

It’s time to set aside an hour or two on your calendar to complete cultural competency training for 2026 – the deadline to complete and report it to Optum Behavioral Health is Thursday, Oct. 1. If you work with Medicaid members, the New York State Department of Health requires annual training  to help you deliver more effective care and decrease health disparities.

Training options

You can take either of these state-approved trainings:

  1. Improving Cultural Competency/Think Cultural Health – This online course outlines what culture has to do with behavioral health care, how to identify your cultural identity and your client’s, and how to build stronger therapeutic relationships with clients from diverse backgrounds. It’s offered for free by the Office of Minority Health Education within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
    • Note: You will see a message indicating “This course is under review for updates.” The course is still available to complete while OMHE refreshes the course.
  2. Curriculum for Cultural and Linguistic Competence – You may take any of the state-approved cultural competency trainings for behavioral health providers available on the Center for Practice Innovations (CPI) platform.

How to report completion

Once you’ve completed the training, email Optum Behavioral Health at nynetworkmanagement@optum.com

  • Subject line: Cultural Training
  • In the email, include your name, NPI, TIN and the date you completed the training   
  • Note to agencies/groups: Attesting that the training has been completed is done at the group level. You must list all provider names, NPI and TIN in the email or attach a provider roster with this information.

Questions?

If you have questions regarding state-approved curriculum for cultural and linguistic competence, email OMCmail@health.ny.gov.

For other questions, contact your Provider Relations Advocate or email NYNetworkmanagement@optum.com.


 

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