The Situation Report | September 30, 2024
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced her Administration’s selection of Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) to serve as the Statewide Fiscal Intermediary (FI) for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). The Governor indicates that PPL is to work with an alliance of more than 30 regional partners for CDPAP services to approximately 250,000 New Yorkers. The announcement indicates that the statewide partnership will take effect by mid-2025. This follows on the plan for CDPAP that was passed in April by the State Legislature and approved by the Governor as part of the FY 2025 State Budget.
The Governor’s office has also separately reached out to HCA to invite questions, comments, and recommendations for information or discussions that would be of assistance to FIs and other providers participating in CDPAP. HCA appreciates the outreach and is scheduling a member call for Wednesday, October 2, 3:00 PM, to discuss the implications of the announced plan and direct member feedback to the Governor’s office. Registration is required.
Meanwhile, legal petitions to the Courts challenging both the statewide FI and the methodological change and cuts to administrative reimbursement for the program, await judicial response. Motions for Preliminary Injunctions in two important cases were last reviewed by an Albany County Supreme Court judge on September 20 and oral arguments in a third case are scheduled for October 11. Additionally, Senator Rivera has introduced legislation, S.9901, to replace the single statewide FI budget agreement with a licensure process, and a broader consideration of FI and community participation in the program.
HCA will continue to advocate for patients, services and FI/participating providers in the program.
Per the Governor’s announcement, CDPAP eligibility for home care users will not change, and individuals who receive care through the program will not need to reapply. The Governor’s press release also indicates that PPL will be moving its national headquarters to NYS and will create more than 1,200 jobs.
The Governor also announced that State officials and partners will now begin a comprehensive transition process that will include direct meetings with CDPAP users and caregivers, disability and aging advocates and other stakeholders throughout the coming months.
The announcement further reports that the state will also activate PPL’s alliance of subcontracted partners throughout New York. Subject to State approval, this alliance is expected to include:
Four Core Regional Home Care Partners:
- Chinese American Planning Council, the lead regional partner for New York City, Long Island and Westchester County.
- Concepts of Independence, Inc., the lead regional partner for the Hudson Valley region including Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and surrounding counties.
- Angels In Your Home, the lead regional partner for mid-state areas including Albany, Saratoga, Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and surrounding counties.
- Consumer Directed Choices (CDChoices), the lead regional partner for Upstate and Southwestern areas including Allegany, Oswego, Hamilton, Clinton and surrounding counties.
Strategic Partnership Alliance of Community-Based Providers:
- More than 30 different home care agencies currently active in New York’s CDPAP who provide a wide array of multilingual, culturally sensitive care to communities across the State. The list of additional agencies participating in this strategic partnership alliance will be announced in the near future.
State officials and partners will now begin a comprehensive transition process focused on ensuring communication, dialogue and support for CDPAP home care users and caregivers.
This process will include:
- Direct in-person and virtual meetings with home care users and caregivers throughout the State.
- Coordination with disability and senior advocacy groups.
- Open dialogue with elected officials across the State.
- Ongoing review by State officials to ensure the needs of home care users and caregivers are thoroughly addressed before the new statewide partnership takes effect.
Stay tuned for further updates and developments from the Administration, the Courts, and HCA as we analyze and seek additional details on today’s announcement.