DOH Issues DAL on Resumption of Home Care and Hospice Services
The Department of Health (DOH) issued a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) on Aug. 23rd addressing the resumption of routine services for home care and hospice agencies and the limited circumstances under which DOH will continue to exercise enforcement discretion in recognition of the fact that providers need time to restart and complete activities previously suspended. However, providers should immediately initiate efforts to restart these activities and be able to demonstrate to Department surveyors that there is a plan in place for compliance as soon as practicable.
Members are urged to review the DAL, which addresses the following:
- Supervision of Home Care Aides
- In-Home Initial Assessments and Reassessments
- Annual Performance Evaluations
- Pre-Employment Health Assessments for New Employees and Annual Health Assessments
- Supervised Practical Training
- In-Service Training for Personal Care, Home Health, and Hospice Aides
- Home Care Aide Training Program Completion and Submission of Schedules
- Alternative Competency Demonstration for Personal Care Aides
Questions related to the exceptions and/or practices should be addressed to covidhomecareinfo@health.ny.gov or homecare@health.ny.gov.
Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-929-9342