Program Information
New York’s essential front line health care and mental hygiene workers have seen us through a once-in-a-century public health crisis and turned our state into a model for battling and beating COVID-19.
To attract talented people to the profession during such a difficult time, while also keeping those who have been working hard for the past two years, we must recognize the efforts of our health and mental health workers and reward them financially for their work. Read also : Why – and How – Choosing Home Health Plans Go National. . To do so, as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 New York State Executive Budget, $200 billion was allocated to pay bonuses to some frontline health workers.
Located within Part ZZ of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022, the HWB system allows for the payment of bonuses “to recruit, maintain, and reward health and mental health workers” meeting defined requirements. Bonus amounts will be based on the number of hours worked by eligible employees who are covered by the HWB Program during specified investment periods of up to $3,000 per covered employee.
The official New York State press release can be found at this link: Governor Hochul Launches Health Care Worker Bonus Program.
Qualified Employers
Eligible employers include other providers that have at least one employee, and bill for services under the Medicaid state program or the home or community-based services (HCBS) waiver, providers that have an agreement to bill for Medicaid services provided or arranged through a managed care organization or a managed care plan. long, and other educational institutions and other sponsored programs. This includes other providers, facilities, pharmacies, and health schools licensed under the federal Public Health Law, Mental Hygiene Law, and Education Law, as well as other programs funded by the Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Aging, Office of Transfusion and Support. (OASAS), and the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
The definition of referral for qualified employers will differ depending on whether they are Medicaid or non-Medicaid employers. See the article : ACAC launches Healing Arts program | Community News | gettysburgtimes.com.
Medicaid employers must be registered and paid through EMedNY and have a valid MMIS ID to be able to submit on the HWB Program Portal. Providers who are not currently registered with MedNY should visit the eMedNY website to learn more about how to apply.
Employers who deliver to non-Medicaid employees must submit on the HWB Program Portal using their SFS Vendor ID. Employers with employees who are eligible for bonuses, but who are not eligible for employee bonuses under Medicaid should contact the appropriate government agency under which they operate for program information. Agencies with providers without a valid MMIS ID (Non-Medicaid) may include: Office of Mental Health, Office of Developmental Disabilities, Office of Children and Family Services, and Office of Addiction Services and Support.
The educational part of the bonus program will begin in October.
Medicaid providers who are qualified employers but employ State-paid workers must work through their State agency.
Worker Eligibility
Qualified workers must be “at the forefront of health care and mental health practitioners, technicians, assistants and assistants who provide hands-on health or safety services to people”. An employee is only eligible if they work for an eligible employer (as defined above) and under an Eligible Employee Title (as listed below).
Employees must meet the following eligibility criteria: On the same subject : Republicans block Senate bill adoption to ensure freedom of travel through abortion states.
Bonus Requirements
Eligible employers are required to submit bonus payment claims to their eligible employees who meet the requirements (as described above) to participate in the HWB program.
Complaints must be submitted to qualified personnel within 30 days after the department publishes the schedule for granting the completed periods, and then within 30 days after the end of any additional extension period. An employee wears if they work for the employer for the entire duration of the offer in the Name of Eligible Employees.
Upon assignment of employees, Eligible Employers must provide employees with an Employee Attestation Form and request that this be returned to the employee by the due date (ie, 30 days after assignment).
Eligible employers must pay bonuses to an eligible employee no later than 30 days after the bonus amount is paid to the eligible employee.
Qualified employers will pay bonus amounts to qualified employees based on the number of hours worked during the employment period as defined below:
A skilled worker is eligible for up to two hours of sales per employer. The maximum any employee can receive is $3,000.
Vesting Periods
The purchase period is defined as the six-month period between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2024. The purchase period must include a consecutive six-month period. Employers will recruit for all eligible employees whose 6-month pay period ends within the specified marketing period as detailed below.
The Vesting Period Schedule is also available for download as a PDF.
Penalties
Employer Submission Process
A qualified employer who fails to recognize, collect, and/or pay any bonus to more than 10 percent of bonus-eligible employees may be subject to penalties of up to $1,000 for violating the HWB Program.
The Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) will review payments issued by EMedNY to ensure that funds have been collected and distributed.
Qualified employers are required to collect the bonus on behalf of their employees. An employee cannot claim independent bonuses.
The following evidence will be required to submit a complete application:
Eligible Worker Titles for the Bonus
The employer must create an account using a valid MMIS ID, on the HWB Program Portal and register on or after Wednesday 3 August 2022.
Employers submitting to non-Medicaid must submit credits using the HWB Program Portal using their SFS Vendor ID.
The full list of Eligible Worker Titles are listed in the table below:
Additional Information
Once registered, employers must:
