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ALP Minimum Wage: A Tale of Two Surveys

In late November, the Department of Health (DOH) issued a survey to Medicaid Assisted Living Programs (ALPs) seeking data to facilitate the reconciliation of minimum wage adjustments in 2017-2019 ALP Medicaid rates from estimated amounts to actual need. Due to confusion regarding the reporting instructions, DOH has put that effort on hold pending additional guidance. Members who have not yet submitted the survey should await further information, and those who have already submitted will have the opportunity to make any needed updates.

However, there is another survey. Last Friday, DOH issued the 2021 ALP minimum wage survey. This survey collects the projected impact of the next minimum wage increase scheduled for Dec. 31, 2020, when the minimum wage upstate will increase to $12.50 and the minimum wage in Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties will increase to $14.00. Because the minimum wage has reached $15 in New York City (NYC), programs located in NYC are not required to submit this survey.

DOH is asking responding providers to use wage data from April 1st through June 30, 2020 when completing the survey and to capture all workers with a payroll record, including direct contracted staff. Providers not impacted by the increase may opt out by completing the general information questions (1 through 4, 6, and 7) and submitting the survey.

The associated Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) is available here. Please note that providers are required to attest to the accuracy of the submission using the form linked from the survey. Surveys are due by Dec. 18th, and DOH indicates that extension requests will not be entertained. Please let us know if you have questions or submit them to ALP-rates@health.ny.gov with “Minimum Wage Survey” in the subject line. The online survey is available here, and instructions are here.

Contact: Darius Kirstein, dkirstein@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8841 or Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828