The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of frontline health care and mental hygiene workers. New York State is acknowledging their dedication through the Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) Program, a significant initiative designed to reward, recruit, and retain these essential professionals. This program allocates $1.2 billion in bonuses for eligible workers, recognizing their tireless efforts and encouraging continued service in these vital fields.
Understanding the Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) Program
New York State’s HWB Program, formalized within Part ZZ of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022, aims to provide financial bonuses to frontline health care and mental health care workers. This initiative addresses the immense strain experienced by these professionals and seeks to strengthen the healthcare workforce for the future. The bonus amounts are calculated based on the hours worked during specific vesting periods, with a maximum bonus of $3,000 per worker.
For more details, you can refer to the official New York State press release: Governor Hochul Launches Health Care Worker Bonus Program.
Who are Qualified Employers for the Mental Health Care Worker Program?
The HWB Program defines qualified employers broadly to encompass various providers crucial to healthcare and mental health services. Eligible employers include those who bill for services under the Medicaid state plan or through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers. This extends to providers with agreements to bill for Medicaid services via Managed Care Organizations or Managed Long Term Care plans. Certain educational institutions and programs funded by state agencies also qualify.
Specifically, this includes licensed facilities, pharmacies, and school-based health centers under the Public Health Law, Mental Hygiene Law, and Education Law. Programs funded by the Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office for the Aging, Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) are also considered qualified employers under this Mental Health Care Worker Program.
The submission process varies for Medicaid and non-Medicaid employers. Medicaid employers, currently enrolled and payable through eMedNY with an active MMIS ID, can submit applications via the HWB Program Portal. New Medicaid providers can find enrollment information on the eMedNY website.
Non-Medicaid employers should also use the HWB Program Portal, utilizing their SFS Vendor ID. Employers with staff eligible for bonuses but not under Medicaid should contact their relevant state agency (OMH, OPWDD, Office of Children and Family Services, or OASAS) for specific program details. The education sector component of the bonus program is expected to launch in October. Medicaid providers employing state-paid workers should coordinate through their respective state agencies.
Mental Health Care Worker Eligibility for the Bonus
The mental health care worker program specifically targets “front line health care and mental hygiene practitioners, technicians, assistants and aides that provide hands on health or care services to individuals”. To be eligible, employees must work for a qualified employer under a designated Eligible Worker Title.
Key eligibility criteria for mental health care workers and other healthcare professionals include:
- Continuous employment with a qualified employer for at least one vesting period.
- Holding a position listed under the Eligible Worker Titles.
- An annualized base salary of $125,000 or less (excluding bonuses and overtime), confirmed through an Employee Attestation.
- Eligibility extends to full-time, part-time, temporary employees, and independent contractors.
- Must not be suspended or excluded from the Medicaid program during the vesting period.
Bonus Amounts and Requirements for Mental Health Professionals
Qualified employers are responsible for submitting bonus claims for their eligible employees participating in this mental health care worker program. Claims must be submitted within 30 days after the publication of a vesting schedule and within 30 days after each subsequent vesting period’s end. Vesting occurs when an employee works for the entire vesting period in an Eligible Worker Title.
Upon vesting, employers must provide employees with an Employee Attestation Form, to be returned before the claim due date. Employers are mandated to pay bonuses to eligible employees within 30 days of receiving the bonus funds.
Bonus amounts are tiered based on weekly hours worked during the vesting period:
- $500 bonus for 20-30 hours per week.
- $1,000 bonus for 30-35 hours per week.
- $1,500 bonus for 35+ hours per week.
Eligible employees can qualify for up to two vesting periods per employer, with a maximum total bonus of $3,000.
Vesting Period Schedule for the HWB Program
Vesting periods are defined as six-month intervals from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024. Each vesting period is a continuous six-month duration. Employers will claim for all eligible employees whose 6-month vesting period concludes within the defined vesting period dates below.
| VestingPeriod | Vesting Period Start Date | Vesting Period End Date | Employer Submission Start Date | Employer Submission Close Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One | October 1, 2021 | March 31, 2022 | August 3, 2022 | September 2, 2022 |
| Two | April 1, 2022 | September 30, 2022 | October 1, 2022 | November 30, 2022 |
| Three | October 1, 2022 | March 31, 2023 | April 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 |
| Four | April 1, 2023 | September 30, 2023 | October 1, 2023 | October 31, 2023 |
| Five | October 1, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | April 1, 2024 | May 1, 2024 |
The Vesting Period Schedule is also available as a PDF download.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Employers failing to properly identify, claim, and pay bonuses for more than 10% of eligible workers may face penalties up to $1,000 per violation under the HWB Program. The Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) will audit payments to ensure appropriate fund allocation and disbursement.
Employer Submission Process for Bonus Claims
Employers are responsible for claiming bonuses on behalf of their employees; employees cannot claim independently. To submit a claim, employers must create an account on the HWB Program Portal using a valid MMIS ID (for Medicaid employers) or SFS Vendor ID (for non-Medicaid employers). Enrollment is required before submission.
Once enrolled, employers can choose to:
- Download a submission template for bulk data uploads.
- Submit data manually through the portal.
Detailed instructions are available in the Technical Portal Guide on the HWB Program Portal.
Eligible Worker Titles: Including Mental Hygiene Roles
Eligible worker titles for the bonus include frontline workers providing direct health or care services. These roles encompass both clinical and non-clinical positions directly supporting patient care in specific settings. The eligible titles are defined under SOS § 367-w(2)(a)(i) and (ii), aligning with Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) job listings and the State’s Consolidated Fiscal Reporting and Claiming (CFR) manual, or as authorized by SOS § 367-w(2)(a)(iii).
“All Other Health Care Support Workers” includes similar roles supporting patient-facing care within patient care units in hospitals or institutional medical settings.
An expansion to the HWB Program, announced on November 17, 2022, added further titles and provider types. Details are available on the HWB Program Expansion Notice page.
Full List of Eligible Worker Titles:
| Frontline Direct Care Health and Mental Hygiene Workers | All Other Health Care Support Workers | Titles Determined by the Commissioner |
|---|---|---|
| – Assistant Program or Assistant Site Director – Case Manager – Certified First Responders – Certified Recovery Peer Advocate – Clinical Coordinator – Counselor – Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (CASAC) – Counseling Aide/Assistant – Alcoholism and Substance Abuse – Counselor – Rehabilitation – Dental Hygienists – Dental Assistants – Diagnostic Medical Sonographers – Dietician/Nutritionist – Exercise Physiologists – Intake/Screening – Licensed Mental Health Counselor (OASAS) – Licensed Mental Health Counselor (OCFS) – Medical Assistants – Mental Hygiene – Behavior Intervention Specialist 1 – Behavior Intervention Specialist 2 – Counselor – Crisis Prevention Specialist – Developmental Disabilities Specialist QIDP-Direct Care – Developmental Disabilities Specialist/Habilitation Specialist QIDP-Clinical – Early Recognition Specialist – Intensive Case Manager – Intensive Case Manager/Coordinator – Job Coach/Employment Specialist – Licensed Psychoanalyst – Licensed Mental Health Counselor – Manager – Peer Specialist – Residential Treatment Facility (RTF)Transition Coordinator – Senior Counselor – Supervisor – Mental Hygiene Worker – Nurses – Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse – Licensed Practical Nurse – Nurse Anesthetist – Nurse Midwives – Nurse Practitioner – Nurse Practitioner/Nursing Supervisor – Nurse’s Aide/Medical Aide – Nursing Assistants – Registered Nurse – Orderlies – Orthotist – Other Clinical Staff/Assistants – Other Direct Care Staff – Paramedic – Peer Professional-Non-CRPA (OASAS Only) – Pharmacist – Pharmacy Technician – Phlebotomist – Physician Assistant – Program or Site Director – Prosthetist – Psychiatric Aide – Psychologist (Licensed) – Psychologist (Master’s Level)/Behavioral Specialist – Psychology Worker/Other Behavioral Worker – Residence/Site Worker – Social Worker-Licensed (LMSW, LCSW) – Social Worker-Master’s Level (MSW) – Speech-Language Pathologist – Therapists – Activity/Creative Arts Therapist – Marriage and Family Counselor/Therapist – Occupational Therapist – Occupational Therapy Assistant – Occupational Therapy Aide – Physical Therapist – Physical Therapy Assistant – Physical Therapy Aides – Radiation Therapist – Recreational Therapist – Respiratory Therapist – Speech Therapist – All Other Therapists – Technologists and Technicians – Advanced Emergency Medical Technician – Cardiovascular Technologists and Technician – Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technician – Dietetic Technician – Emergency Medical Technician – Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist – Nuclear Medicine Technologist – Ophthalmic Medical Technician – Radiologic Technologist – Surgical Technologist – All Other Health Technologists and Technicians – Therapy Assistant/Activity Assistant | – Building Attendant – Building Service Aide – Building Service Worker – Clerks – Admitting Clerk – Admitting Clerk Cashier – Critical Care Clerk – Discharge Control Clerk – Emergency Services Clerk – Front Desk Clerk – Operating Room Clerk – Registration Clerk – Unit Clerk – Ward Clerk – Custodian – Dietary Aide – Dietary Worker – Dining Assistant – Dining Aide – Environmental Service Aide/Tech – Environmental Services Worker – Floor Maintenance Worker – Food & Nutrition Aide – Food Prep/Service Worker – Housekeeping Worker and Maid – Lead Intake Specialist – Maintenance/Physical Plant workers – Peace Officer – Sanitation Worker – Security Guard – Service Worker – Support Services Worker – Unit Assistant – Unit Associate – Unit Coordinator – Unit Receptionist – Unit Secretary | – Medical Fellow – Medical Resident |
Need More Information?
For further details, please visit the HWB Program Portal or contact the Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) Call Center at (866) 682-0077.
