The Situation Report | April 24, 2023
The state Department of Health (DOH) has posted updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Healthcare Worker Bonus Program that cover a new correction process for incorrect bonus claims; ability to submit claims for any prior vesting period during any submission period; taxes; overpayments; wage garnishment liabilities; and more.
The following Q&As are on issues on which we have received many inquiries:
- If an employer identifies an error in a bonus claim where they claimed a lower bonus amount for an eligible employee that they should have, how can the employer amend a submission to ensure the employee receives the correct amount?
- Effective April 1st, a correction process is available. Instructions on how to submit corrections to modify either an employee’s salary or hours worked from a previous submission can be found within the HWB Portal End User Guide available within the HWB Portal. The correction process is for employers to correct awarded bonuses ranging from $0.00 to $1000.00 which were determined by the Employer to have been lower than they should have been. Correction payments will be paid as a lump sum and included in qualified employer’s weekly Medicaid cycle payment from eMedNY. Cycle information published once available.
- I am a qualified employer who was unable to complete my submission of qualified employees during a prior vesting period. Can I submit employees eligible for a bonus for Vesting Period 1 and/or 2 at a later date?
- Providers/Employers who were not able to or did not complete submission of qualified employees within 30 days of the end of the Vesting Period when the employee was eligible are able to file a late submission.
Employers will be able to submit claims for any prior vesting period during any submission period. For example, during Submission Period 5, employers will be permitted to submit claims for any of the five Vesting Periods.
- Employers should make every attempt to submit claims as soon as the employee is eligible.
- Employers must validate that employee(s) met all other qualifying criteria during the respective vesting period.
- This flexibility does not change the criteria that a qualified employee is eligible for only two vesting periods per employer in an amount equal but not greater than $3,000 across all employers.
Please be advised that, in accordance with SOS § 367-w(4)(f), claims submitted more than 30 days after the respective Vesting Period are technically late for filing purposes. All Employers should document and retain information regarding the reason for any late submission for audits and investigation purposes relating to the submission of claims for the HWB Program.
Further, an amended submission process is under development for identified under-payments.
Additional information on the Bonus Program is at Health Care Worker Bonus Program (ny.gov).