February 20, 2024 | Volume 9, Issue No. 8

TOP STORIES:

Governor Issues 30 Day Amendments
The Governor's changes were presented publicly last Thursday and have been analyzed, including a number of provisions impacting the home healthcare sector.

For-Profits Now Eligible for Health Care Transformation Funding
On February 15, 2024, the state Department of Health posted revised materials for the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV and V-Health Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Telehealth Transformation RFA #20258 clarifying that for-profit organizations can apply for this funding.

Eleven NYS Associations Advance Recommendations To Address Care Delays Experienced By Patients With Complex Needs 
Discharge delays are devastating for these patients and their families, limit access to acute and emergency care for other New Yorkers and result in enormous, unnecessary costs. 

Fifth Vesting Period Ending for Health Care Worker Bonus Program 
HCA reminds members that the fifth vesting period for the Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) program that started October 1, 2023 will end on March 31, 2024. 

CMS Announces January 2024 Expanded HHVBP Interim Performance Reports (IPRs) are Available on iQIES 
The quarterly IPRs provide Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs) with the cohort assignment, performance year measure data for the 12 most recent months, and interim Total Performance Score (TPS). 

Integrating Social Determinants of Health Screening Tool in Home Health Care: Regional Toolkit Training 
HCA E&R & IPRO have developed a new toolkit to provide step-by-step recommendations your home health agency can take to integrate a social determinants of health screening and referral process into its workflow.  

Tap Into HCA’s Resources!  
The Home Care Association of New York State Education and Research (HCA E&R) has several free resources available for use and reference.  

Artificial Intelligence Actions Announced 
Governor Hochul’s actions include new legislation, presented as part of her FY 2025 Executive Budget, which would add a misdemeanor for unauthorized uses of a person’s voice; allow for a private right of action to combat digitally manipulated false images; update the Penal Law to account for unauthorized uses of artificial intelligence; and require disclosures on digitized political communications published within 60 days of an election. 

Worker Bill of Rights Legislation Goes into Effect for NYC 
By July 1, 2024, employers must provide a copy of the workers' bill of rights to their current employees, as well as to new employees on or before their first day of work.   

Hospice Preview Reports for the May 2024 Refresh Now Available  
The preview period for the latest Provider Preview Report lasts from February 14, 2024 to March 16, 2024. CMS encourages providers to download and save their Hospice Provider Preview Reports for future reference, as they will no longer be available in CASPER after this 60-day period.  

NGS Education Update 
National Government Services (NGS), the home health and hospice Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for New York’s Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs) and Hospices, has announced a series of upcoming education webinars. 

Emergency Response Resources Highlighted 
The newsletters inform stakeholders of the most significant issues facing the health care and public health sector, including cybersecurity, health care supply chains, and more.  

Provider Revalidation Restarts 
Revalidation includes providing information on the provider’s ownership, managing employees, agents, persons with a control interest, group affiliations, supervising/collaborative arrangements, as well as providing current addresses, specialties, etc. 

PPP Loan Forgiveness Program Update 
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced expanded flexibility and accommodations for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrowers to help bring them into compliance and avoid the repercussions of defaulting on a government loan. 

Now Available! New Resources on Infection Control for Home Health Care Providers 
A 2022 Community Health Accreditation Partner report revealed that improper hand hygiene and protocols related to bags used to carry medical equipment or supplies into patients’ homes were among the Top 10 Home Health Deficiencies. 

Invitation to Submit Proposals to Present at HCA Conferences and Events  
HCA E&R welcomes proposals from engaging presenters with expertise on topics that impact Medicare-certified, Medicaid-certified, and private duty home care providers, hospice providers and Managed Long Term Care plans. 

Master Plan for Aging Survey – Deadline Extended  
Due to the recent surge in enthusiasm and overwhelming response from survey participants, DOH is extending the survey period through February 29, 2024. 

Now Available! 2024 HCA Marketing Prospectus  
This year, we are once again offering several opportunities, and an expanded range of benefits in several sponsorship categories. These opportunities have been designed to offer you greater flexibility to select a sponsorship package and options that best support your engagement goals. 

Upcoming Important Deadlines      
Stay up to date on upcoming dates/requirements that impact home care, hospices and managed long term care plans.

CDC Urges Mpox Vaccination for Those Eligible  
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages providers to remain diligent about taking their patient’s sexual history and recommending the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine to those who are eligible to help reduce the risk of continued mpox transmission. 

Emergency Preparedness Exercises Scheduled for Central NY and Capital District 
The MRSE is an “operations-based” exercise that will start at 10:00 am and will last about 3 hours in Central NY and run from 8:00am-2:00pm with a hotwash taking place from 2:30-3:30pm in the Capital District. It will involve the release of an unknown chemical agent at various sites having parties for the 2024 solar eclipse. 

NYC Posts Advisory on Increase in Pertussis Cases 
Cases have included a mix of unvaccinated individuals (mostly infants), vaccinated individuals (primarily school-aged children), and individuals with unknown vaccination history (mostly adults). Nine cases have been hospitalized during this period. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Integrating Social Determinants of Health Screening Tool in Home Health Care: Regional Toolkit Training
Every Thursday Through March 28
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Senior Financial Managers Summit
March 13, 2024
9:00 am - 3:15 pm

Enhancing Quality Improvement for Home Health Care: A 5-Part Series 
March 19, April 16, May 21 
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM 

Artificial Intelligence and Its Impacts on Emergency Preparedness for New York City Home Care Providers 
March 27, 2024 
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM 

For more information on our upcoming education visit our education webpage.