Exception Submission Period for HWB Program Expansion Opens February 1, 2023

On November 17, 2022 the New York State Department of Health (the Department) announced notification of an expansion to the Healthcare Worker Bonus (HWB) Program to include additional titles and eligible provider types. The Exception Submission period, during which employers impacted by this expansion can submit their newly eligible employees, will begin on February 1, 2023 and will remain open for 30 days.

During this Exception Submission period, employers (including newly Qualified Employers) must submit their eligible workers for Vesting Periods 1 and 2. During this time, eligible employers may ONLY submit for employees deemed eligible for the Exception Submission period. After this Exception Submission period, these employees and employers may remain eligible and should follow the same Vesting Period schedule as other employees for the remainder of the program.

The Department has posted Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the HWB Program Expansion and Exception Submission period. These FAQs can be found on the HWB Program Expansion Notice webpage.

The HWB Program has a dedicated email address to receive questions related to the program. Please direct your inquiry to NYSWorkersBonus@health.ny.gov to make sure your question(s) are received and processed appropriately. The HWB Call Center is also available to answer questions about the online claims portal and assist qualified employers with submitting their claims. The HWB Call Center can be reached at 1 (866) 682-0077. Please continue to check the HWB Program webpage for the most current program information.

Thank you.

Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) Updates
New York State Department of Health
Office of Health Insurance Programs
One Commerce Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
mrtupdates@health.ny.gov