HCA has received confirmation from the state Department of Health (DOH) that home care providers who intend to receive and administer COVID-19 vaccine should prepare now by enrolling in the state’s vaccine program for providers outside of New York City. A separate process is in place for New York City providers.
HCA wrote about the state’s vaccine enrollment program in Monday’s Situation Report. The state expects to receive an initial shipment of 170,000 vaccine doses next week, followed by future additional shipments, the timing and scale of which depend on soon-expected federal emergency use application decisions and production capacity.
However, while the state’s instructions appear to encourage widespread provider participation in the vaccine enrollment process, the state’s website also notes that the effort would be a “phased approach” in which the state would “notify health care facilities, providers and professional groups as each new group is opened for enrollment,” suggesting that providers would be receiving setting-specific instructions for enrollment, prompting HCA to inquire.
DOH, however, has confirmed that all home care providers are encouraged to apply now.
This process involves two steps outlined here and in a Dear Health Care Provider Letter here. It includes making sure your agency has an account on the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) if you operate outside of New York City while also enrolling in the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Program through the Health Commerce System (HCS) application “COVID-19 Vaccine Program Provider Enrollment” no later than December 18.
DOH has assured us that assignment of an NYSIIS number and completion of required NYSIIS training can be done after enrolling into the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Program.
Note: providers in New York City have a separate process and can go to the city’s online Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR) page here.
HCA will provide members with additional information as we learn more about this evolving process.