Governor Kathy Hochul of New York State recently unveiled the Health Care Worker Bonus program, part of her efforts to expand New York’s health care workforce by 20% over five years, is underway. The $1.3 billion HWB initiative was approved as part of New York State’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget and offers bonuses up to $3,000.
Eligible employees who held direct patient-facing roles during certain six-month vesting periods from October 1, 2021 through March 31, 2024 and had a base salary less than $125,000 are eligible for bonus payments. Furthermore, these employees must remain employed with one qualified agency throughout their vesting period without being excluded or suspended from Medicaid eligibility.
The HWB program requires each employer to submit an attestation form for every eligible employee who meets criteria to an electronic portal established for this purpose by the end of submission period, upon which date the state will reimburse agencies and refund FICA and payroll taxes, with bonuses due within 30 days after receiving payments from state. Access the HWB Portal here.
As always, DC 37 staff are here to assist members with any inquiries they have about the HWB program and can be reached at [email protected].
As for agencies, they should have been receiving funding for the HWB Program vesting period 1 funding in mid-October as part of Medicaid cycle 2421 released on January 31st. Mayoral agencies and NYC Health + Hospitals filed bonuses for over 10,000 DC 37 members including EMS workers, School Nurses, Social Workers, and Patient Care Associates.
The second vesting period for the HWB Program will open April 1 and close May 1. To facilitate agency corrections to their data submitted for the initial vesting period, and any overpayments they identify as well, the DOH has begun work on an online portal which will enable agencies to make corrections via a portal.
Are you curious to gain more information about the HWB Program and its effect on your agency? Join Bond for its Tuesday Series webinar where Attorney Catherine Graziose will explain it all in great depth, answering any of your queries and registering will only take minutes! You’re invited to attend for free while nonmembers may pay an attendance fee of $50 (plus registration!). For upcoming Tuesday Series webinars please click here and follow along using #BondTuesday on social media; we hope to see you soon!