DAL: DHCBS 21-05 TB Testing Clarification

The New York State Department of Health issued DHCBS 21-05 which provides clarification on TB testing.  The Department adopted regulatory changes to 10 NYCRR 763.13, 766.11 and 794.3, and issued DAL DHCBS 20-14, “Annual TB Testing,” which was followed by DAL DHCBS 21-03, “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Annual TB Testing.” The DAL made a shift from annual TB testing of employees to the creation of a baseline for each employee that is accompanied by education and encouragement of employees with latent TB infection (LTBI) to seek treatment in order to prevent progression to active disease.

The Department has received additional questions from home care providers as to how best to implement the changes, and this DAL will clarify activities related to onboarding as well as treatment of existing personnel.  Note that this DAL also applies to Personal Assistants under the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP).  See the attached DAL for further information.