CMS Issues COVID-19 Data Elements IFC On October 6th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule (IFC) that lays out new regulatory requirements for all hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) to report COVID-19 information during the PHE. The IFC updates a previous rule in response to COVID-19, which…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Announces Actions to Address COVID-19 Clusters Today (October 5th), Governor Cuomo held a press conference during which he made several announcements regarding new State actions to address COVID-19 outbreaks in New York State. The infection rate across the top 20 ZIP code “hotspots” was 5.5 percent yesterday, which includes neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens,…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Provides Update on New York State COVID-19 Progress Today (September 28th), Governor Cuomo provided an update on New York’s progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In recent days, the rate of positive tests has begun to increase. Of the 52,936 COVID-19 tests reported yesterday, 834 were positive (1.5 percent). There were 543 total…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Issues Executive Order 202.64 On September 18th, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.64 (available here), which extends the following provisions through October 18th: Authorizes the Commissioner of Health to suspend or revoke the operating certificate of any skilled nursing facility or adult care facility if that facility has not complied with regulations or directives from…
Continue readingRecently, New York State (NYS) released two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to create or enhance housing units for individuals in need. On August 16th, NYS released an RFP for the fifth round of funding for supportive housing units under the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI). As part of Governor Cuomo’s five-year plan to ensure…
Continue readingOn August 31st, the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the development and reinforcement of regional networks of care. The networks will provide prevention, treatment, and recovery services and operate in collaboration with other systems of care. OASAS will distribute over $47 million to…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Announces $88.6 Million in Additional Child Care Funding; COVID-19 Status Still Stable Today (September 14th), Governor Cuomo announced the 38th straight day during which less than 1 percent of COVID-19 tests statewide were returned positive. Yesterday, 63,358 test results were reported to the State, with 583 returning positive (0.83 percent). Hospitalizations, ICU occupancy, and deaths also remain stable…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Announces $88.6 Million in Additional Child Care Funding; COVID-19 Status Still Stable Today (September 14th), Governor Cuomo announced the 38th straight day during which less than 1 percent of COVID-19 tests statewide were returned positive. Yesterday, 63,358 test results were reported to the State, with 583 returning positive (0.83 percent). Hospitalizations, ICU occupancy, and…
Continue readingSenate Fails to Pass GOP COVID-19 Relief Bill Today (September 10th), the Senate failed to gain the 60 votes required for the Republicans’ proposed version of a new COVID-19 relief package, the “Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act” (S. 178). The Senate vote of 52-47 was largely along party lines,…
Continue readingOn August 26th, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) released a notice that clarifies recent changes to Medicaid rates for various children/youth services, including: Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS); Children’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS); and Health Homes Serving Children (HHSC). Although the New York State FY 2021 Enacted…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Announces College and School Reporting Requirements, Plans to Protect Public Workers in Future Health Emergencies Today (September 8th), Governor Cuomo held a press conference in which he announced that the status of the COVID-19 outbreak in New York State remains steady. Of the 57,826 individuals tested yesterday, 557 (0.96 percent) tested positive. The…
Continue readingOn August 3rd, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an omnibus proposed rule that would update the calendar year (CY) 2021 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), the CY 2021 Quality Payment Program (QPP) regulating incentive payments for Accountable Care Organization (ACO) and non-ACO participants, as well as policies for the Medicare Diabetes Prevention…
Continue reading