DOH Monthly Briefing – February 2022
DOH held its Monthly Briefing yesterday. The following summarizes the topics discussed:
70/40/5 and 3.5 Minimum Staffing Requirements – The associations requested additional guidelines related to implementation of the staffing requirements as well as the associated $64M state funding to be provided. DOH noted that technical amendments to the executive budget for the 70/40 were proposed, and that they were not prepared to issue further guidance at this time. The Governor has issued an additional 30-day implementation delay thru 2/28/22.
1/1/22 Rates – Work continues on the 1/1/22 rate package. DOH is processing the MDS collection process for the rolling 6-month average period (4/1/21 – 9/30/21) and will update the case mix index accordingly. The initial 2022 capital rate component will be included upon completion of the capital attestation verification. (See below). DOH did not release an expected 1/1/22 rate issuance date.
Capital Attestations – The capital attestation process is still delayed due to system software issues, specifically data migration from a number of facility specific software submissions. DOH will correct these issues prior to release of the 2021 cost report software. DOH, per regulation, will continue to impute the 90% occupancy requirement with respect to the capital rates. Any adjustments to the 90% occupancy threshold would require regulatory revision and, if justified, would be subject to approval in the upcoming Executive Budget cycle.
Cost Report Software – DOH reported no significant changes to the upcoming 2021 RHCF software. Release of the software should follow the normal timelines (i.e., April release date with a July submission date), however specific dates were not yet disclosed.
Advanced Training Initiative (ATI) – DOH does not expect to fund the ATI program prior to the end of the current state FY (3/31/22). Providers have until 12/31/22 to complete their associated ATI trainings.
2021 ALP Rates – DOH has sent the 2021 minimum wage surveys to ALP Providers, which are due back to DOH by 3/2/22. Once this data is collected and processed, the 2021 ALP rates will then be revised and issued.
2017/18 OMIG Audits – The 2017 MDS audits are nearly complete. OMIG expects to begin the 2018 audit field work mid-late summer.
eMedNY Reports – DOH will prompt eMedNY to release calendar year ending 2021 provider remittance reports to better assist members with their annual outside audits.
NYSHFA/NYSCAL CONTACT:
Carl J. Pucci
Chief Financial Officer
518-462-4800 x36
