Reminder: Deadline for LHCSA Biannual HERDS Survey on Patient Counts Is July 15th

The Department of Health (DOH) issued a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) on June 15, 2022 announcing the issuance of a biannual Health Emergency Response Data System (HERDS) survey to determine the need for additional Licensed Home Care Services Agencies (LHCSAs) in each county. DOH is carrying this out in compliance with previously adopted LHCSA regulations that establish a need methodology for new LHCSA licenses, which presumes there is no need for new LHCSAs in counties with five or more agencies.

It is important that every LHCSA site submit the count of all unduplicated patients served between Jan. 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022 and the number of patients on its roster as of April 1, 2022 in each county, as this data will be used to determine the number of general purpose LHCSAs in each county for planning purposes. Surveys are due this Fri., July 15, 2022. The HERDS survey will be available on the Health Commerce System (HCS).

The need methodology exempts LHCSAs serving patients within Nurse Family Partnerships, Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), Assisted Living Programs (ALPs), and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE programs). These LHCSAs are required to denote their affiliation in the survey and are only to report unduplicated patient counts who are served outside of those settings.

LeadingAge NY will keep members abreast of movement on behalf of the Department to reopen the LHCSA licensure process.

Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871