Highlights from DOH SNALR Voucher Demonstration Webinar

The Department of Health (DOH) held a webinar regarding the Special Needs Assisted Living Voucher Demonstration Program for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The demonstration program is designed to allow people who are in danger of running out of funds to pay for their care to remain in a Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR). During the webinar, it was stressed that this is a voluntary program; facilities must opt in to participate. DOH has extended the deadline for providers interested in participating to submit attestations until Sept. 7, 2018. The attestation must include the SFS Vendor ID number. Facilities that do not want to participate do not need to take any action. DOH will be reviewing both the SNALR attestation forms and the resident applications and will communicate with the resident, facility, and State regarding the determination. The facility will get notification of the dollar amount of the monthly voucher as well.

DOH hopes to begin issuing vouchers in October 2018 and explained that the demonstration is for two years. DOH will be collecting data during the demonstration to demonstrate the effectiveness of the program, and this data will assist in making longer-term policy decisions. Facilities that participate in the demonstration should be aware that DOH is likely to request data during the demonstration period.

DOH has posted a Frequently Asked Questions document that provides additional details, and you can find more information about the program here. If you have questions about the program, you may submit them to DOH at ALTCteam@health.ny.gov. Click here for more background about the demonstration program, including a program manual.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828