Compliance with HCS Regulations

LeadingAge New York previously reported the Department of Health (DOH) was initiating a pilot program to conduct offsite surveillance for some Licensed Home Care Services Agencies starting in the beginning of Feb. 2016. We held a members-only call with Rebecca Fuller-Gray, Director of the Division of Home and Community-Based Services, on what was included in this new pilot.

Ms. Fuller-Gray explained that the DOH Regional Office staff  would be conducting the audits to determine compliance with four targeted survey areas. If a LHCSA is selected it will be responsible for only one of the four areas. The four areas include:

1. Clinical Record Review;
2. Emergency Preparedness and Health Commerce System (HCS) Review;
3. Personnel Record Review; and
4. Quality Assurance and Complaints Review.

Following this call, the DOH posted a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) – DHCBS 16-01 on the Health Commerce System (HCS) Requirements. As stated in the DAL, “regulations require that all licensed home care services agencies, certified home health agencies/long term home health care programs and hospice providers obtain accounts for each agency it operates, ensure that sufficient and knowledgeable staff are available to maintain and keep their accounts current.” Ms. Fuller-Gray reported that compliance with these requirements continues to be problematic. Home care and hospice providers are expected to maintain appropriate policies and procedures to maintain HCS accounts consistent with regulations.

Please review this DAL carefully to ensure you are in compliance with the HCS regulations.

Contact: Cheryl Udell, cudell@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871