Critical Guidance Sets Forth New LHCSA Registration Requirements
The Department of Health (DOH) issued a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) late last week via the Health Commerce System (HCS) for all Licensed Home Care Services Agencies (LHCSAs), including LHCSAs in Assisted Living Programs (ALPs), regarding new registration requirements. The document sets forth DOH’s process for requiring all LHCSAs to register with the Department as required by law, per the recently enacted state budget. The information provided in the DAL is critical and must be carefully reviewed to ensure successful LHCSA registration.
The registration process will occur through provider completion of the newly revised 2017 LHCSA Statistical Report. DOH will release the report for download on Aug. 25th, and it must be submitted by Nov. 16, 2018. In the meantime, all providers must ensure that their administrator role information on the HCS is up-to-date. The 2017 LHCSA Statistical Report is in a new format and on a new platform and will require special attention. If the report is not completed as required, penalties will be imposed.
Please note that, according to the DAL, “all ALP LHCSAs must submit a 2017 ALP LHCSA Statistical Report. An ALP LHCSA serving the community must also fill out and submit all sections of the 2017 LHCSA Statistical Report. However, ALP LHCSAs that do not serve patients in the community must only complete and submit designated portions of the 2017 LHCSA Statistical Report.”
All LHCSAs are required to be registered with the Department beginning in January 2019. The registration status of each LHCSA will be publicly posted on the DOH website. As required by statute, a $500 fine will be assessed for each month, or part of a month, that an organization is not registered, and agencies not registered will not be allowed to operate.
The DAL provides more information on the technical details for updating the administrator role on the HCS, details on the new report format, and the download and installation of its software. Please review the DAL carefully and monitor the HCS daily, as documents and instructions will be forthcoming from DOH. Please read the DOH instruction documents with care, as changes to the report are extensive and successful LHCSA registration depends on submitting an acceptable 2017 LHCSA Statistical Report.
Please send any questions to HCStatRpts@health.ny.gov.
Contact: Meg Carr Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871 and Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828