Nursing homes considering reopening their adult day health care (ADHC) programs should note that the Department of Health (DOH) will be announcing soon the availability of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (eFMAP) funding for open or actively reopening ADHC programs. The funding is intended to bolster and build back programs after their extended closure due to COVID-19.

For facilities considering reopening their ADHCs, please note that there is some ambiguity regarding eligibility for receiving eFMAP funds, and the Adult Day Health Care Council (ADHCC) urges programs to start the reopening process immediately if they are considering doing so.

DOH language indicates that programs must either notify the Department that they are reopening by Aug. 1^st or they must be open by that date. ADHCC would argue that the former interpretation is appropriate. However, DOH has not yet clarified this.

• Open sites are defined as those with the appropriate staff and are either actively providing services or have planned open date confirmed by August 1, 2023. 

To start the reopening process, notify the Department of your intent to do so at ADHCP.HCBS@health.ny.gov. Please feel free to CC Meg Everett (meverett@leadingageny.org), and make sure that you receive an acknowledgment to your email and ask about next steps in the process.

If and when you submit your policy documents, be sure to submit them through the Health Commerce System (HCS) to ensure that DOH receives them. Documents sent by email are not getting through. DOH instructions on sending in home and community-based services (HCBS) docs state the following: 

Due to the size limitations of each organization’s email servers, if attachments are required, please send a copy of this form, along with all required attachments through the Health Commerce System (HCS) Secure File Transfer (SFT) to ADHCP-HCBS with the Subject line of: Reopening Info-Program Name-Program PFI 

Example: Reopening Info-Cork County ADHCP – AD12345A

Again, questions and other non-attachment communications may be sent to ADHCP.HCBS@health.ny.gov.

A checklist that the Department is sending out to programs is available here. You should wait for yours in case they have amended it. DOH is committing to a timely reopening of around two weeks, provided policies are submitted. ADHCC hopes that you are considering opening and looks forward to supporting your program.

Please feel free to contact Meg Everett at meverett@leadingageny.org or 518-867-8871 if you have any questions.