NYS Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program Amendment and Upcoming Hearings

NYS is seeking approval from CMS for an amendment to the Special Terms and Conditions (STC) language in its recently approved 1115 Waiver that speaks to the maximum number of allowable days for backfill payments in the new Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program.  On a related note, the NYS Council along with other associations has been advocating for an expansion of the staff titles that are the priority for this new Program, to include peers.  Apparently there is flexibility in the Special Conditions section for New York to make this change however it is unclear whether our request will be honored by DoH.  On October 20 and after we met with representatives from the Governor’s Office on our 25-26 Budget Priorities (including this one) we sent a letter (attached) to DoH Commissioner James McDonald regarding our request and we have meetings coming up with state leaders to again reinforce the importance of an amendment that will broaden the range of MH and SUD titles targeted for the Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program.

Please note: The State is requesting an increase from the current limit of two days per week to up to five days per week for making backfill payments.   A draft of the proposed amendment request is available for review at: http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/med_waiver_1115/docs/mbi-wpd_cpt_draft_amend_request.pdf.   

Importantly, the NYS Department of Health will host two virtual public hearings during which the public may provide oral comments on either of the amendments being sought by NYS (the other amendment has to do with the Medicaid Buy-In Program).

Any updates related to the public hearings will be sent via the MRT Listserv.

The two virtual public hearings will be held as follows:

1. First Public Hearing

1. 1. Monday, November 25, 2024, 1:00 PM –3:00 PM
   2. Pre-registration is required for anyone wishing to provide oral comment using this link: https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/r961f79713b6d560937c5926e215bca3c
   3. Individuals who wish to provide comment will need to register with an “SP” in front of their name (ex: SP Jane Doe) and must email 1115waivers@health.ny.gov no later than Friday, November 22, 2024, at 4:00 PM to confirm registration.
   4. Individuals will speak in the order of registration. We kindly request that all comments be limited to five minutes per presenter to ensure that all public comments may be heard.

1. Second Public Hearing

1. 1. Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 1:00 PM –3:00 PM
   2. Pre-registration is required for anyone wishing to provide oral comments using this link: https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/r2d3f7856499905fddb46e47dee8027bc
   3. Individuals who wish to provide comment will need to register with an “SP” in front of their name (ex: SP Jane Doe) and must email 1115waivers@health.ny.gov no later than Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 4:00 PM to confirm registration.
   4. Individuals will speak in the order of registration. We kindly request that all comments be limited to five minutes per presenter to ensure that all public comments may be heard.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available, and the WebEx platform includes a closed captioning feature. For individuals with limited online access or who require special accommodation to access paper copies, please call (518) 473-0868.

Prior to finalizing the proposed MBI-WPD Demonstration Program and CPT Program Amendment application, the NYS Department of Health will consider all written and oral comments received. These comments will be summarized in the final submitted version. The Department will post a transcript of the public hearings on the following website: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/medicaid_waiver_1115.htm.

Written comments will be accepted by email at 1115waivers@health.ny.gov (please include “Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD) Demonstration Program and Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program Amendment” in the subject line) or by mail at:

NYS Department of Health 

Office of Health Insurance Programs

Waiver Management Unit

99 Washington Avenue

8th Floor, Suite 826

Albany, NY 12210

All written comments must be postmarked or emailed by December 6, 2024.

Please direct all questions to 1115waivers@health.ny.gov.