The New York State Department of Health (DOH), Office of Mental Health (OMH), and Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) have announced that they will conduct two virtual public hearings to provide an overview of the State’s IMD Transformation Demonstration Program waiver amendment request and allow members of the public to provide comments.

The 30-day public comment period for this waiver begins October 5, 2022, and will close on November 4, 2022. In addition to this 30-day comment period where the public will be afforded the opportunity to provide written comments, the agencies will be hosting two virtual public hearings during which the public may provide oral comments. 

The two virtual public hearings will be held as follows. 

1. First Public Hearing Wednesday October 26, 2022, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm. Pre-registration is required for anyone wishing to attend the hearing using this link: https://meetny-events.webex.com/meetny-events/j.php?RGID=ra4ca24a1a9e2e60ef935eb4172291e33. 

2. Second Public Hearing Monday October 31, 2022, 11:00 pm – 12:30 pm . Pre-registration is required for anyone wishing to attend the hearing using this link: https://meetny-events.webex.com/meetny-events/j.php?RGID=r6a567861b36b3235b79c08dbce775a52. 

The NYS Division of the Budget (DOB) has approved the OMH Outpatient Clinic rate changes for the February 2022 5% increase, and the Workforce Recruitment and Retention 11.5% (temporary) increase (effective 2/1/22-9/30/22). The State will be loading this information into eMedNY shortly and funds will flow retroactive to effective dates. 

Per Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2019, MMCPs are required to pay claims based on the effective date of the rate changes. As a result, MMCPs must complete necessary systems edits to ensure Article 31 Mental Health Clinic are reimbursed at the newly effective rates as listed above and are required to conduct retrospective reconciliation to adjust payment for claims as necessary within 90 days of receipt of this notification.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the Health Care and Mental Hygiene Worker Bonus program. Enacted in the Fiscal Year 2023 New York State Budget, the program includes $1.3 billion allocated for the payment of recruitment and retention bonuses to certain health care and mental hygiene workers, a key initiative in the Governor’s aim to increase the state’s health care workforce by 20 percent over the next five years.

Bonuses will be awarded to eligible workers who make less than $125,000 annually and remain in their positions for at least six months. Disbursements will be commensurate with the number of hours worked and duration of service within designated vesting periods for up to a total of $3,000 per employee.

Additional details about the program are available online here.