Situation Report | August 10, 2020
The state Department of Health (DOH) has posted new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and a revised Participation Proposal form for its “NY State of Health Private Pay Home Care Services Pilot Program.”
HCA and members had previously submitted questions and most of them are in the revised FAQs. DOH also revised the proposal’s form.
DOH did not agree to HCA’s request that CHHAs (in addition to LHCSAs) be able to participate in the project. DOH responded that the program is focused on personal care, not skilled services. HCA has contended that because CHHAs do employ aides and oversee aide services, they, too, should be eligible.
HCA advises LHCSAs who are considering participation in this program to review the new FAQs as they cover many important issues, including: whether two separate LHCSAs can submit one application; documentation of in-service training; access to names of aides; any applicability of the wage parity law; meaning of preferential rates; any direct communication between the aide and consumer; required services to be offered; and more.
As communicated to members in numerous venues, according to DOH, this new initiative is intended to build on the “marketplace model” and provide private-paying consumers with a “trusted” source through which they can select a home care aide and make arrangements for care with licensed agencies that have met and agreed to criteria under contract with DOH.
DOH plans to initially pilot the program in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties starting on or about November 1, 2020. Participation proposals are due August 12, 2020 and approvals are expected by September 2, 2020.