On July 19th, the New York State (NYS) Department of Health (DOH) issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on public need criteria for the licensure of Licensed Home Care Services Agencies (LHCSAs). The NYS Enacted Budget for 2018-19 included a provision to limit the number of LHCSAs by authorizing the Public Health and Health Planning Council to consider public need in the LHCSA application process, according to a methodology that DOH is now developing.
Items on which DOH is requesting input include, among others:
- How geographic planning areas should be developed;
- What factors should be considered to create a public need;
- What experience should be required of LHCSA operators;
- Whether a county-level cap on the number of LHCSAs should be instituted;
- Which requirements, if any, should be added to the application for LHCSA licensure;
- Which specialty services and/or populations, or other circumstances, would merit exceptions; and
- Whether requirements should differ for applications for initial licensure vs changes in ownership.
The RFI questionnaire is attached. Responses are requested by October 12th.