08/18/2022

New York State HWB Program: The first employer submission period for bonuses has opened

healthcare workers having a discussion

In early August, New York State Governor, Kathy Hochul, announced the launch of the Health Care Worker Bonus Program (HWB Program). For many provider organizations, this state budget investment in frontline healthcare and behavioral health positions is warmly welcomed and recognized as highly necessary to continue to recruit and retain key healthcare, behavioral health, and support staff who not only provided crucial services over the course of the pandemic, but who also continue to deliver high quality care for New Yorkers across the state. While this funding will no doubt aid organizations in workforce recruitment and retention, there are rules and requirements in claiming the funds that must be followed and financial penalties for noncompliance. The first submission window is now open for employers, with a deadline to submit by Sept. 2, 2022. Is your organization ready to claim these funds?

Here are three considerations for healthcare providers:

  1. Does your organization understand the eligibility and reporting requirements for claiming bonuses?
    The state has developed guidelines on which types of employer organizations are eligible to participate in the HWB Program, which employees qualify for a bonus under the program, and the amount of the eligible bonus based on the number of hours worked. Eligible organizations will need to understand which employee types meet criteria for bonus payments and the maximum bonus that each employee can earn. 
  2. Are you ready to implement a procedure to track vesting, claims, and bonus payments per employee?
    The HWB Program will run through May 1, 2024, and employers will need to carefully track bonus claims and payments for each employee throughout the full life of the program to ensure compliance with all applicable maximum bonus payments and vesting periods. Organizations will need to be prepared to track how they have identified, claimed, and distributed bonus payments in line with these rules and regulations to ensure they are not subject to penalties and violations. 
  3. Will your records withstand future scrutiny by the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) when payments are audited?
    The state has already announced that the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) will audit payments released to ensure that organizations appropriately claimed and disbursed bonus payments. The New York State OMIG has also announced that there will be monetary penalties for employers who fail to follow program guidelines. Organizations will need to clearly document and track their determinations of eligibility across all employees, claims, and payment status to ensure they can withstand any review that may arise.

How CohnReznick can help:

CohnReznick can support healthcare organizations as they prepare and participate in this program. Our team can:

  • Educate your team on the eligibility requirements, claims procedure, and reporting requirements necessary to take part in the HWB Program 
  • Identify best practices to track and report on bonus claims to ensure compliance
  • Assist in preparing submissions to the state 

Contact

Aparna Mekala, Managing Director, Healthcare Consulting 

646.625.5701

Joanne McNamara, Senior Manager, Healthcare Consulting 

646.601.7850

Subject matter expertise

  • peter epp
    Contact Peter Peter+Epp peter.epp@cohnreznick.com
    Peter Epp

    CPA, Partner, Community Health Leader

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This has been prepared for information purposes and general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and CohnReznick LLP, its partners, employees and agents accept no liability, and disclaim all responsibility, for the consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.