NYC Removes Requirement That Home Care Providers Have Less Than 1 Week of PPE Before Ordering from City Stockpile

Situation Report | December 7, 2020

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) has removed the requirement that agencies serving NYC must have less than one week of personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to request PPE from the city’s PPE Service Center.

HCA expressed concerns that this requirement was severely limiting access to the city’s PPE stockpile and thanks NYC DOHMH for making this change.

The PPE is still to be used to meet an emergency need to protect staff and patients during the COVID-19 response.

Importantly, NYC may seek to recover costs from providers for provision of this PPE if the city is unable to get reimbursed under applicable Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency reimbursement policies, so providers should plan accordingly.

At this time, FEMA policies do not enable reimbursement of supplies provided to private for-profit entities, and, therefore, the city may seek cost recovery from these entities at a later date. As the pandemic continues to worsen, HCA advises agencies in New York City to consider the Service Center, run by Medline. If you don’t have an account or need more information, contact the Center at PPEsupport@health.nyc.gov.