NY Alliance Covid-19 E-Updates
The NY Alliance is continuing to monitor the Covid-19 crisis and provide information in real-time. Included below are all updates provided to NY Alliance members on a near-daily basis through e-communications. If you are a NY Alliance member and would like to receive this information directly, please email [email protected]. If you are not a member of the NY Alliance and would like to receive these updates, please email [email protected] to discuss options.
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NY Alliance Appendix K Analysis Summary - The NY Alliance is pleased to provide you with our analysis of the approved Appendix K to OPWDD's 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services Waiver.
February 2021 Updates
February 25 - 20% Withhold Being Returned; O Agency Link-Outreach-Vaccinate Program
February 18 - Revised Return to Work and Attestation Guidance; CDC Vaccine Toolkit
February 5 - Vaccine Eligibility Expansion; Vaccination Data Update
January 2021 Updates
January 31 - New Vaccine Supply Dedicated to Individuals with I/DD and Staff
January 22 - Revised DOH/OPWDD Return to Work Guidance
January 15 - Dual Consent for Vaccination; Vaccine Scheduling; Transportation Staff Included in Expanded 1a Distribution; Guidance for Staff Requirement to Quarantine; DOH Announcement - Medicaid Eligibility Extensions;
January 12 - Advocacy on Vaccination Reporting to OPWDD
January 11 - Department of Health Webinar on State's Vaccination Plan; NADSP Vaccine Information Webinar; CDC Vaccine Resources
January 7 - Expansion of Staff Eligible for Vaccine; NADSP Video - Facts About the Covid-19 Vaccine
January 5 - Vaccine Reporting Requirements; Prevocational Services Annual Assessment Reporting Change
December 2020 Updates
December 31 - Vaccination Distribution Update (OPWDD Guidance on Informed Consent Committees; 414 Provider List; DOHMH Communications; DOH Distribution Plans for Weeks 3 and 4)
December 29 - DOH Guidance for Vaccine Prioritization and Distribution
December 24 - Vaccine Distribution Facilities Spreadsheet
December 23 - Access and Prioritization of Vaccines; Vaccine Distribution; Consent; OPWDD Survey Activity Suspended; Full-Time PPE?
December 17 - COVID-19 Vaccine; Informed Consent
December 14 - Vaccines; New Appendix K Waiver Submitted to CMS; Objection to Services
December 12 - Residents and Staff of OPWDD Homes in Phase 1 Vaccination Plan
November 2020 Updates
November 12 - CRC Guidelines - Holiday Gatherings, New York Times Article – I/DD Population Increased Risk of COVID:
October 2020 Updates
October 30 - Revised Guidance - Proactive Testing Reporting on IRMA
October 24 - OPWDD Cluster Zone Mitigation Strategy Guidance
October 6 - CMS Approval of Waiver Amendment Effective 10/1/20, OPWDD Day Services Survey, COVID-19 Hot Spots, Appendix K Waiver Flexibilities, Federal Department of Health and Human Services - Additional CARES Act Funding
September 2020 Updates
September 17 - OPWDD Interim Guidance on Site Visits, Syracuse University Study on NYDA COVID Data, FEMA Regulatory Change - PPE Requirement
September 8 - 20% Withhold Exemption for ISS/Housing Subsidies, Revised Guidance from OPWDD
September 2 - Reversal of 20% Withhold on Housing-Related Subsidies
August 2020 Updates
August 26 - 20% Withhold Memo, Additional Requirement Regarding Day Service Reopening Safety Plans, Billing Guidance Related to K Waiver Extension
August 18 - 20% Withhold of Non-Medicaid Payments, K Waiver Flexibilities Approved
August 13 - Appendix K Update, OPWDD Data, 1/1 and 4/1 DSP & Clinician Salary Increases
July 2020 Updates
July 31 - Recommendations for Financial Relief/Opportunity for Providers of Day Programs
July 17 - 1/1 and 4/1 DSP Increases, CARES Act Provider Relief Fund - Extension
July 16 - Updated OPWDD Guidance Documents, OPWDD COVID-19 Data
July 15 - Reminder - CFR 2-A Submission, NYDA Covid Data - Disability Scoop Article
July 11 - OPWDD Reopening Policies Released, NY Post Opinion Piece - OPWDD Visitation Policies, Reminder - CARES Act Medicaid/CHIP Provider Relief Fund
July 8 - Phase 2 Retainer Day Program - CMS Time Limitations, Governor's Executive Order 202.48, IRMA Training Powerpoint, DOH Visitation Guidance, OPWDD Data Update
June 2020 Updates
June 30 - DOH/DOL Guidance on Travel and Paid Sick Leave, NY Alliance - Re-Opening Risk Assessment Tool, Reminder - HHS Medicaid/CHIP Provider Relief Fund, CFR Filing Date Delayed, Reminder - Phase 2 Retainer Day Program Attestation
June 26 - OPWDD Financial Sustainability Metrics, CARES Act - Medicaid/CHIP Relief Fund Advocacy
June 26 - NYDA Covid-19 Data Collection, OPWDD Data Update, Infection Control Guidance - OMH Residential and Site Based Programs, OPWDD - CFR Guidance on Vacation Leave Accruals
June 23 - CFR-2A, Additional Information from OPWDD - Visitation Guidelines
June 18 - OPWDD Visitation Policy and Attestation, OPWDD Covid Data, HHS Webinar - Medicaid Provider Relief Fund
June 18 - COM Hab-R Guidance, OMH Infection Control Guidance
June 16 - Group Home Visitation Allowed Starting Friday, IRMA Data Entry for Covid-19
June 12 - HHS Medicaid Provider Relief Fund - Additional Documents, Reporting of Non-Billable Days for Occupancy Adjustment Calculation, NYDA Response to Occupancy Factor Cuts
June 10 - Executive Order - In-Person Special Education, Executive Order - Telehealth and Background Check Flexibility, CARES Act - Provider Relief Funding
June 5 - Phase 2 Retainer Day - Com Hab-R and Base Costs, OPWDD Staff Return to Work Revised Guidance
June 4 - Occupancy Adjustment Cuts, Paycheck Protection Program Update, Com Hab-R and Phase 2 Base Costs, OPWDD Data Update
May 2020 Updates
May 29 - Occupancy Adjustment Cuts, ACCES VR Orientation Sessions, OPWDD Webinar Announcement
May 28 - Occupancy Adjustment Modifications, OPWDD COVID-19 Data, MC-COP Self Directed Services Webinar
May 20 - OPWDD Phase 2 Retainer Day Attestation Document, Division of Quality Improvement - Covid-19 Audit Protocols
May 19 - Reopening Requirements for I/DD Facilities with Business Operations, Employee Retention Credit for Those Who Did Not Qualify for PPP, Vocational Rehab Services
May 18 - Covid-19 Data from OPWDD, DQI Enhanced Oversight Memo, Business Reopening Lookup Tool, NY Alliance Webinar - Getting the Workforce Back to the Workplace
May 15 - MCCOP Supervised Residential Habilitation & Day Services Billing Webinar, Governor Cuomo Reopening Requirements, Governor Responds to Concerns Raised about OPWDD State Operated Homes
May 12 - Reusable PPE Masks and Gowns, Executive Order 202.30, OMH Infection Control Guidance
May 8 - OPWDD Phase II Retainer Program Changes Coming, #ApplaudDirectSupport - RCWT Video
May 7 - FEMA - Public Assistance Applicant Briefing, Social and Emotional Intelligence Webinar Series, Covid-19 Data from OPWDD
May 6 - Newsletter on Mental Health Resources, Governor Cuomo - EO 202.27, Workers Comp Classifications
May 5 - OPWDD Oversight Plan, Additional PPP Guidance, Face Shield PPE Opportunity
May 1 - OPWDD - Covid-19 Data, Updated Notification and IRMA Requirements, Covid Testing for Essential Workers, DOH - Updated Telehealth Guidance, OMH - Economic Impact Payment Guidance, Mental Health Association in NYS (MHANYS) - Free Webinar, Thank You
April Updates
April 29 - Draft Enhanced IRA Rates, Billing Guidance - OMH Clinic Programs, NYDA Survey, OPWDD Training on IRMA Inputs, OPWDD Regulations - Extended Treatment Units
April 27 - Enhanced IRA Rates on OPA Website, Enacted Budget Financial Plan Update, Covid-19 Testing in Pharmacies, Covid-19 Testing Policy from DOH
April 24 - Updated COVID-19 Data from OPWDD, PPE Responsibility in Self Direction, Revised Billing Guidance from OPWDD, Revised Staff Guidance - Training from OPWDD for Agency Managers, Nurses, and Training Staff, #ApplaudDirectSupport
April 22 - Enhanced IRA Rates, New Federal Stimulus Bill, #ApplaudDirectSupport
April 21 - #ApplaudDirectSupport, NYDA Survey Results
April 20 - OPWDD Update, K Waiver Update, Federal Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights Bulletin
April 17 - Appendix K Waiver Analysis, MC COP Telehealth Webinar, COVID-19 Data, Self-Directed Services, CCOs Letter on Care Manager’s Role
April 16 - Executive Order 202.17, PPE Opportunity, MC COP Webinar Tomorrow - Telehealth, Sheppard Mullin Employment Webinar
April 15 - Resident and Family Communications Guidance, New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) Survey, Telehealth Guidance - 4/10, Disability Rights New York (DRNY) Resources, OPWDD Releases Poster and Plain Language Guidance, NY Alliance Resource Page
April 13 - Community Hab/Respite During School Day, OPWDD Background Check Guidance Documents, OPWDD Hospital Discharge Guidance, EO 202.16, DOH Drug Topic Guidance, Covid-19 Economic Impact Payments for SS and SSI Beneficiaries, NYC Residential - Congregate Care Job Portal
April 11 - Contact Tracing and Guidelines for Containment Guidance for OPWDD, CARES Act - Main Street Lending Program, Telehealth Funding Opportunity, PPE Opportunity - Getem Innovations
April 10 - MCCOP Appendix K Webinar, Updated Hospital Visitation Guidance, Updated Telehealth Guidance, BKD - CARES Act Webinar, Updated Covid-19 Data - Individuals with I/DD, Newsday Article, PPE Opportunity
April 9 - New York Times Article, Appendix K Webinar, Self-Advocacy Association of NYS - Weekly Update
April 8 - K Waiver Webinar, Governor Thanks Direct Care Workers, Regional Grant Opportunities - Covid-19 Crisis, Department of Health Updated Guidance, Covid-19 Data on Individuals with I/DD
April 8 - 8AM Update - Letter from Provider Associations to Providers, CMS Approves NYS K Waiver (Retainer Days), MCCOP Day Services Retainer Day Webinar Announced for Thursday, April 9, Additional Face Shield PPE - Opportunity
April 7 - Face Shields - PPE Available, State Education Department - Regents Exam Guidance, Fox 5 Interview - Bill Guarinello, Executive Order 202.14, Payroll Protection Program - Small Business Administration Loan
April 6 - Appendix K/1135 Waiver, Emergency Response Template, OPWDD List of Non-Residential Providers, PPE Availability, CARES Act - PPP, Article on COVID-19, DOH PPE Guidance, NYS Budget, SSI Benefits and CARES Act Stimulus, Hospital Visitation Guidance - Forthcoming
April 3 - Appendix K/1135 Waiver, Temporary Emergency Residential Capacity, Hospital Visitation, Incident Report and Management Application (IRMA), NYS Budget
April 2 - Update Guidance from OPWDD (Return to Work, Home Isolation Release, Training and Recertification), NYS Budget Update, Social Security Payments, ACCES VR VR-370 Reports, Open Future Learning
April 1 - Appendix K/1135 Waiver & Other Updates, MC COP Guidance Compendium, Small Business Administration - Manatt Webinar, DOH Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions, UI FAQ from CareDesign, Updated Return to Work Guidance, NY Alliance Webinar - Covid-19 Experiences from Providers for Providers, NYS Budget Update
March Updates
March 31 - IRMA Training, Updated OMH Documents, NY Alliance Webinars
March 30 - K/1135 Waiver, OPWDD Issues Temporary Emergency Respite Capacity and Regional Office Crisis Response Contacts, EO 202.13, OMH Telemedicine Update, DOH Guidance Documents, APSE Update
March 28 - Return to Work Guidance, Abbreviated Medication Training, Additional Guidance Forthcoming
March 27 - K/1135 Waiver, Emergency Housing, Revised Emergency Templates from OPWDD, CAS, SEMP Webinar, EO 202.11
March 26 - K/1135 Waiver, OMIG Rate Recoupments, Paid Family Leave - Employment Webinar & Resources, Back to Work Guidance
March 25 - K/1135 Waiver, Fingerprinting Survey, Temp Site Capacity Survey, OPWDD Guidance, Suspension of Community Outings and Home Visits, OMH Update, Supportive Housing, NYC Non-Profit Assistance
March 24 - K/1135 Waiver, Suspension of Community Outings and Home Visits, Abbrev. Training Requirements, Revised Family Care Guidance, FEMA Alerts, Reporting Price Gouging
March 23 - K/1135 Waiver, OPWDD Survey, PFLA Webinar, ACCES VR - 30 Day Extension, OMH Telemental Health FAQs, ANCOR Letter to Amazon
March 22-2 - K/1135 Waiver, PPE, Rate Recoupments, Limits on Residential Home Visits, Day Hab and Other Available Sites Survey, Fingerprinting
March 22 - K/1135 Waiver Update
March 21 - Telehealth Guidance, Housing and Workforce Update, DSP's as Essential Workforce, PPE Availability
March 20 - K/1135 Waiver Update, Family Care Services Guidance, Essential Business Notice
March 19-2 - Revised Covid-19 Phone Notification Requirements for OPWDD Providers
March 19 - K/1135 Update, Excel Template Ext, CFR Submission Deadline, Updated OMH Telehealth Guidance, Covid-19 Infections Phone Reporting Directions, Comm Hab Guidance, No Visitation Poster, Federal Emergency Bill, NYC Human Service Workers Update
March 18 - EO 202.5 Explained & OPWDD Guidance Documents
March 18 - DSPs - Essential Health Workers, K Waiver, PPE, Fingerprinting Requirements, OPWDD Guidance Documents, EO 202.5
March 17 - Program Closures, Family Messaging, Appendix K, VR Services
March 16 - Trainings on Containment Measures MCTAC/CTAC Telemental Health Guidance Webinar & Q&A Session
March 16 - Day Program Closures, K Waiver, PPE Challenges, Incident MGMT Unit, Financial Advocacy
March 16 - Reimbursement for Non-Face-to-Face Meetings, K Waiver Development, Program Closures
March 15 - Telemedicine, Programmatic Changes, 1915K Application
March 14 - NYC: PPE Supplies Request Form
March 14 - Emergency Operations Centers Contact Information
March 14 - Begin to Develop Plans for Closing Day Programs
March 13 - Ongoing Guidance and Executive Order 202.1
March 11 - Initial Guidance Documents
March 10 - Letter from Commissioner Kastner
