Critical Home Care Updates and Reminders
LHCSA Statistical Report Due Date Extension
The Department of Health (DOH) sent out a Health Commerce System (HCS)-generated email late Friday announcing that the deadline for the 2016 Licensed Home Care Services Agency (LHCSA) Statistical Report has been extended. Below is the text of the email:
The deadline for the 2016 LHCSA Statistical Report has been extended to November 10, 2017. The survey will be closed at 5 p.m. on November 10th. This is being done in response to numerous requests to extend the deadline. If your Agency is unable submit the LHCSA Statistical Report by Nov. 10th, please contact the Division of Home and Community Based Services at HCStatRpts@health.ny.gov.
Meanwhile, DOH activated the statistical report for Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs) and Long Term Home Health Care Programs (LTHHCPs) as well as the Cost and Utilization Report for Hospice providers on Nov. 1, 2017. Providers will have until Dec. 29, 2017 to complete the reports. The DAL with instructions is available here. Click here for more information.
Home Care Emergency Drill Starts Today
DOH sent an email this morning announcing the beginning of the emergency drill. The scenario can be accessed here. ALL home care and hospice agencies must participate.
THIS IS A DRILL THIS IS A DRILL THIS IS A DRILL
The Division of Home and Community Based Services is conducting a three-day emergency drill, beginning at 8 a.m. on November 6 and ending at 3 p.m. on November 8 for all LHCSAs, CHHAs, LTHHCPs and Hospices. The exercise will simulate a significant earthquake. Agencies are required to participate in the three-day exercise including responding to the Home Care Emergency HERDS survey on the Health Commerce System. Agencies not responding will be enforced.
The HERDS survey activity is entitled "2017 Home Care Earthquake Drill" and will be activated on the Health Commerce System at 8 a.m. on November 6. The survey activity will be open from 8am to 3pm daily on November 6-8, 2017.
Attached is the earthquake drill scenario and instructions for Day 1 of the drill as well as instructions on how to navigate to a HERDS survey.
Agencies must report their actual patient census and real/actual patient information (for example patient classification levels and TALs) as directed in order to determine the number of patients potentially impacted and to test the agency's ability to report this data in the case of a real emergency.
If you have any questions, please contact HCEmergency@health.ny.gov.
THIS IS A DRILL THIS IS A DRILL THIS IS A DRILL
Wage Parity Notices for Downstate Providers
Lastly, DOH has issued a notice on the Wage Parity Requirements. This applies to NYC, Suffolk, Nassau, and Westchester only.
Other Items of Interest
- Is Your Organization Ready for Paid Family Leave? LeadingAge NY is hosting a webinar on Nov. 7th at 10:30 a.m. regarding New York’s new Paid Family Leave requirement. Click here for more information.
- Below are other articles posted in the past week or so for home care providers, in case you missed them:
CMS Circulates Draft Interpretive Guidelines
Guidelines are aimed at helping interpret revisions to Medicare Home Health Conditions of Participation.
NYSDOL Issues Notice on 24-Hour/Live-in Aide Regulation
Regulatory notice clarifies “longstanding interpretation” of “13-hour rule.”
CMS Posts Recording of HHA Star Rating Call
CMS presents the rationale, proposed timing, and impact of changes to HHA 5-Star calculations.
Webinar on CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule for CHHAs Posted to HCS
Webinar slides and document with emergency preparedness resources also posted.