DOH Meets with HCBS Provider Associations
(Aug. 25, 2025) LeadingAge NY recently met with the Department of Health (DOH) and other provider associations to exchange information and updates on issues of concern.
NHTD Waiver Webinar: The Department held a Lunch and Learn on the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver programs and provided a general overview for providers regarding the structure and services of the program. Slides and a recording will be shared when made available. The presentation did not touch upon the NHTD enrollment cap, which will be set at 9,400 individuals. The Department will continue to work with a stakeholder group to find efficiencies and program oversight to bring the NHTD Waiver program back to a budget-neutral status.
The Division of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) will hold a September Lunch and Learn and present the Money Follows the Person program. There is no date yet for that webinar.
Surveillance: The Department provided an update on surveillance for Licensed Home Care Services Agencies (LHCSAs), Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs), and hospice. For all three provider types, DOH is seeing a substantial increase in complaints in aide provision of care. These are not minor complaints. DOH is questioning Home Health Aide Training Program (HHATP) training, orientation of aides in the home setting, and if training and oversight of aides is compliant. We will likely hear more from the Department on this in the future.
LHCSA Statistical Report: The LHCSA Statistical Report is almost finalized and will be posted by Oct. 1st, if not earlier, for providers to complete. The Department will plan to not issue a short form, which allows for a separate registration process. All agencies should endeavor to complete the report on time.
DAL on LHCSA Licensure Amendments: A Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) on LHCSA Licensure Amendments was issued recently. More information is available here. Applications in process for licensure do not need to be resubmitted to the Department.
HHATPs: DOH is transitioning review and approval of HHATPs to the Bureau of Licensing and Credentialing. Existing applications that have been sent to regional offices will remain there and proceed through the approval process.
The following applications are affected:
- HHATP initial application
- HHATP reapproval application
- HHATP hybrid application
- Nurse instructor, nurse supervisor, and director/coordinator applications
- Also included are site changes/additions and additional languages
Hospice: The DOH Center for Hospice and Palliative Care's first wave of web content went live last week.
Please contact us if you have questions or need additional information.
Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org