In this update:
- NYS and NYC Opportunities
- OASAS Issues RFA to Support New or Enhanced Electronic Medical Records Systems
- NYC DOHMH Releases Concept Paper on Expanding Access to a Nurse Care Manager Model for People Who Use Drugs
NYS and NYC Opportunities
OASAS Issues RFA to Support New or Enhanced Electronic Medical Records Systems
On May 15th, the New York State (NYS) Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) released a Request for Applications (RFA) to support OASAS-certified agencies with obtaining and/or enhancing automated electronic medical records (EMR). Up to $9 million in total funding is available for one-time awards as follows:
- Up to $230,000 per awardee to implement a new EMR; or
- Up to $120,000 per awardee to make changes to an existing EMR and to report data to the OASAS Client Data System (CDS).
OASAS will only cover expenses for the purchase and customization of the system with a selected EMR vendor. Funding will not cover expenses related to:
- Agency staff time;
- Annual maintenance and licensing;
- Hosting of an EMR system; and
- Other expenses incurred as part of the EMR implementation that are not paid to the selected EMR vendor.
Eligible applicants are OASAS-certified voluntary agencies that provide one or more of the following direct care substance use treatment services:
- Crisis
- Inpatient
- Residential
- Opioid treatment
- Outpatient
Hospital organizations are not eligible for funding.
The RFA is available here. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis through July 1st. Questions may be submitted to COVIDFundsApplications@oasas.ny.govwith the subject line “OASAS Project No. SUPP1018, Provider Name” through June 24th.
NYC DOHMH Releases Concept Paper on Expanding Access to a Nurse Care Manager Model for People Who Use Drugs
Last week, the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issued a Concept Paper outlining a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) that will support primary care settings in developing and maintaining their capacity to comprehensively identify and address the holistic health needs of people who use drugs. The RFP will expand on the original NYC Buprenorphine Nurse Care Manager Initiative by:
- Enhancing the capacity of participating primary care settings to screen for substance use disorders and related health care needs; and
- Ensuring participating primary care providers have the knowledge and support needed to prescribe buprenorphine and medications for alcohol use and tobacco use disorders, provide care within a collaborative model, and facilitate access to additional care and supports as needed.
In this model, a dedicated RN-level Nurse Care Manager provides structured clinical support to primary care providers. Participating primary care providers would include Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), FQHC look-alikes (i.e., HRSA-designated health centers that meet Health Center Program requirements but do not receive federal award funding), and other safety net providers with at least 35% of patient volume comprised of Medicaid beneficiaries or people who are uninsured. Funding will support staffing needs to participate in the initiative.
DOHMH anticipates awarding up to 14 contracts with $175,000 in annual funding. Contracts are expected to begin on July 1, 2025 and last for six years.
The Concept Paper is available here. There will be a virtual meeting for interested providers on May 24th at 10am. Interested providers should email RFP@health.nyc.gov with the names and email addresses of attendees by May 23rd at 2pm and include “Nurse Care Manager CP RSVP” in the subject line. Comments may be submitted to the email address above with the subject line “Nurse Care Manager CP Comments” through June 29th.