DOH Guidance on Weather Related Emergencies

            ABSTRACT:  DOH issues Dear Provider Letter on weather emergencies.

Introduction
The Department of Health has asked LeadingAge to forward the attached information to our members in an email that included the following message:

Dear Providers,

A number of questions have been asked by providers and vendors regarding reimbursement
issues related to the Hurricane Irene evacuations.

Attached please find a letter to update you on the discussions that have been held recently
regarding reimbursement and billing policies.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please send an email to
bpacr@health.state.ny.us.

LeadingAge has also been in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and confirmed the following regarding recent weather related emergencies here in New York. 

According to FEMA, the filing deadlines for federal disaster relief funds vary by county/disaster and people should be checking with their local county disaster relief agency for specific filing deadlines.  The attached DOH letter also references local FEMA briefings on filing for disaster relief being held in affected areas throughout the State.

As a general rule, the filing deadline for federal disaster relief funding is two months, depending the on the location, specific disaster declaration and type of relief being sought.   We have two official disaster declarations for New York dated 8/31/11 and 9/13/11, with filing deadlines of 10/31/11 and 11/14/11, respectively. 

Again, LeadingAge recommends getting any disaster relief claims in as soon as possible and checking with your local disaster relief coordinator for official information.  Information is also available on the FEMA (www.fema.gov) and the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (http://www.dhses.ny.gov/) Web sites.

Please contact me with any questions at pcucinelli@leadingageny.org or call 518-867-8827.
 
See attachment below.

N:\NYAHSA\Policy\pcucinelli\Hurricane Irene\September 2011 dear provider letter.doc