The New York Department of Health (DOH) announced on November 17 that the Healthcare Worker Bonus (HWB) Program will expand to include additional titles and eligible provider types.  On January 13, DOH announced the opening of the Submission Period for employers impacted by the expansion to submit information on the newly eligible employees.

The Exception Submission Period will begin on February 1, 2023, and remain open for 30 days.

During the Exception Submission Period, employers (including newly Qualified Employers) must submit their eligible workers for Vesting Periods 1 and 2. During this time, eligible employers may ONLY submit for employees deemed eligible for the Exception Submission Period. After the Exception Submission Period, the employees and employers may remain eligible and should follow the same Vesting Period schedule as other employees for the remainder of the HWB Program. 

DOH posted Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the HWB Program Expansion  and Exception Submission Period at the HWB Program Expansion Notice webpage and more information on the Healthcare Worker Bonus Program expansion can be accessed at the  NYSDOH HWB Program webpage.

Should you need anything else on this topic or if you have a matter you wish to pursue with NYSDOH, please reach out to Matthew Babcock at mbabcock@harrisbeach.com to discuss an engagement.

This alert is not a substitute for advice of counsel on specific legal issues.

Harris Beach has offices throughout New York state, including Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, Long Island, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse and White Plains, as well as Washington D.C., New Haven, Connecticut and Newark, New Jers