Greg Allen
As Director of the Division of Financial Planning and Policy at the New York State Department of Health, Greg Allen is responsible for managing Medicaid’s clinic and physician reimbursement, pharmacy finance and operations and fee-for-service payment policy for all healthcare clinic services. In addition Greg’s portfolio includes payment policy review for mental health, chemical dependence and mental retardation and developmental disabilities services.
Beginning his career as a front line service professional in the chemical dependence field, Greg has over 20 years of government operations and management experience. Working at both the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuses Services and at the Department of Health, most of Greg’s work has focused on the nexus between program development and reimbursement with a particular focus on payment policy, new service development, data management and rate setting.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
