January 16, 2024 | Volume 9, Issue No. 3

TOP STORIES:

Governor to Introduce 2024-25 State Budget Today
HCA will analyze the Governor’s budget address, fiscal plan documents and bills as soon as they become available. We will provide the membership with a preliminary review of the budget highlights, and then follow with detail analyses and advocacy positions.

Governor Delivers Annual State of the State Address 
Of particular note to HCA members should be the plan to modernize emergency medical services (EMS), encourage new care models closer to home, address healthcare workforce needs, and “improve transparency of home care services.” 

The Long-Awaited New Medicaid 1115 Waiver Has Been Approved
On January 9th, New York State received federal approval for the Medicaid 1115 Waiver, a $7.5 billion initiative that will allow the state Department of Health (DOH) to implement programmatic demonstrations focused on advancing health equity, reducing health disparities, supporting the delivery of health-related social needs (HSRN) services, and promoting workforce development.

HCA Participates in DOH Managed Care Meeting 
On January 11, HCA participated in the state Department of Health (DOH) Managed Care Policy and Planning meeting. These meetings are held monthly with HCA and other Associations representing managed care plans and are an opportunity to raise issues and concerns with DOH. 

MedPAC Recommends Home Health Payment Rate Reduction & Hospice Update Freeze HCA and our colleagues at the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) believe the recommendations are based on an antiquated methodology of assessing whether the rates are sufficient to provide beneficiaries with access to care. 

DOH Recommends Masking by Health Care Providers 
DOH recommends that all healthcare and residential facilities in New York State institute a facility-wide masking policy. The policy should apply to all personnel while working in areas where patients/residents/clients may be present. 

Funding Announced for Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV and Other Programs 
A total of up to $250,000,000 is available through Request for Applications (RFA #20244) to health care providers in support of capital projects, debt retirement, working capital or other non-capital projects that facilitate furthering transformational goals, including, but not limited to, transforming, redesigning, and strengthening quality health care services in alignment with statewide and regional health care needs and in the ongoing pandemic response, or other activities intended to build innovative, patient-centered models of care, to increase access to care, to improve the quality of care and to ensure financial sustainability of health care providers. 

DOH Issues Hospice DAL on State’s Minimum Wage Increase for 2024   
To determine the financial impact of the scheduled minimum wage, increase for calendar year (CY) 2024 Hospices are requested to complete DOH’s 2024 Hospice Minimum Wage Survey using employee wage data from April 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023 for your facility. Wage data should be consistent with wage data reported on the NYS-45 during the week of April 12, 2023. 

Final Rule Issued on Employee or Independent Contractor Classification 
The final rule, Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, provides guidance on whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under the FLSA – which then triggers coverage under federal wage and hour law. 

Physical Therapy Assistant Rule Proposed 
The December 27, 2023 State Register includes a proposed rule that updates the practice of physical therapy assistants from a credentialed to licensed profession and create the new “legally protected” title of “licensed physical therapy assistant.  

Nurses Across NY Loan Repayment Update 
The program received 284 applications requesting loan amounts totaling over $6M. Everyone who qualified as eligible will receive an award. 

Accepting Award Nominations For 2024 
HCA is accepting award nominations for 2024! If you'd like to submit nominations for a Caring, Champion, Trailblazer, or HCA's Premier Award - the Ruth F. Wilson Award, you can do that anytime throughout the year. 

DOH Posts Winter Storm Guidance for Health Care Providers  
Homecare agencies are encouraged to review patient care needs and consider adjustment of visits to ensure that Level 1 patients are visited prior to the start of a forecasted storm and that all patients are reminded of how/who to call for assistance if they lose their power or have a medical emergency. 

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 January 31, 2024.   

Enter in a Chance to Win a Staff Luncheon Sponsored by HCA! 
HCA will put all agencies who complete the Associations Annual State of the Industry survey before the deadline in a drawing for a chance to win a staff luncheon sponsored by HCA! Two winners will be announced on Thursday, January 25, 2024. 

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

Free Fit Testing Train-The-Trainer Opportunity for NYC Home Care Providers 
The in-person sessions will review how respiratory programs work and can be implemented or expanded at your facility.

Home Health Maternal Sepsis Education, Prevention, and Intervention 
Home and community health organizations are in a unique position and have the credentials to make their role even more compelling in sepsis prevention, screening, and intervention.

Sepsis In-Service Training For Home Health Aides, Personal Care Aides & Paraprofessionals In Other Health Settings 
The training is entirely free, and we urge your participation in this national effort to combat sepsis — a national public health crisis that is the number one cause of death in hospitals and readmissions. 

Now Available! 4-Part Webinar Series on Top Interventions and Recommendations for Addressing Health Disparities Through Home Care 
This past fall, HCA E&R held a 4-part webinar series for home care and hospice providers, managed care plans and other community organizations to assist in their efforts in assessing and addressing health disparities.   

Delirium, Dementia, and Depression: A Tool for Understanding the 3D’s is Now Available 
The tool is available via sign-up. It is available as a one-pager as well as a mobile phone friendly version. 

Infection Prevention and Control Training and Toolkit Available 
HCA E&R in partnership with Sepsis Alliance, IPRO and other subject matter experts developed a multi-part module to assist providers and agencies in infection prevention and control both in the home and in the agency.  

Become an HCA Board Member! 
Board members play a vital role in promoting home care by educating communities, patients and families, and legislative leaders on the quality and financial benefits of Home Care. 

2024 Total Solar Eclipse Calls for Statewide Preparation 
The travel to and throughout NYS is anticipated to have tremendous impacts on the roads and travel time. The health care industry must be aware of how this event will impact traffic and emergency services during the eclipse.