Important DOH Emergency Preparedness Reminders and Other HCS Updates

(July 12, 2026) The Department of Health (DOH) asks that we remind DOH-regulated providers to ensure that your Health Commerce System (HCS) roles are up to date. Required roles include the 24/7 contact, which must be populated with a number other than the facility’s landline. Click here for information regarding populating the 24/7 contact role on the HCS, as it is located in a different place than the other roles on the HCS. The Department made calls during recent weather and heat events using the 24/7 contact and had some concerning experiences, including reaching an outdated contact of a person who no longer worked at the organization; being directed to the facility main number, which would ring and never be answered, or would ring and then disconnect; or otherwise being unable to reach the person in charge at overnight or weekend times. DOH is very concerned about this, not only for the purpose of reaching the facility in the event of an emergency or event, but also if a resident’s family or loved one were trying to reach the facility. DOH requests that all providers ensure that the 24/7 contact is populated and accurate and provide a mobile number that can be reached if facility lines are not working.

DOH also reminds that people cannot share HCS accounts. It has come to their attention that people are sharing accounts, and DOH will be taking action on this issue.

Lastly, DOH has also announced the release of the new HCS My Profile Tool, which combines the features of the former "Person Update Tool" and other tools under the "My Content" action bar with an enhanced security and ease of use functionality. You can find this tool under "My Content" in the HCS action bar. Any changes you need to make to your HCS contact information or account can be found in this new tool. A Reference Quick Card is available for more information.

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