The New York State Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) Program stands as a testament to the state’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding the tireless efforts of its frontline health care and mental hygiene workers. These essential workers have been instrumental in navigating unprecedented public health challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, positioning New York as a national leader in crisis management.
To ensure the continued strength and resilience of this vital sector, New York State has allocated $1.2 billion in bonus funding. This initiative aims to attract new talent to the healthcare and mental hygiene fields while retaining the dedicated professionals who have served diligently throughout the past years. This financial acknowledgment, enacted as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 New York State Executive Budget legislation, underscores the state’s deep appreciation for their service.
The Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) Program, detailed in Part ZZ of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022, is designed to “recruit, retain, and reward health care and mental hygiene workers” who meet specific eligibility criteria. Bonuses are calculated based on the number of hours worked during designated vesting periods, with individual workers potentially receiving up to $3,000.
For further details, the official New York State press release, Governor Hochul Launches Health Care Worker Bonus Program, provides additional context and information.
Who are Qualified Employers?
The HWB Program defines qualified employers broadly to encompass a wide range of healthcare and related service providers. Eligible employers include those who bill for services under the Medicaid state plan or through home or 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 other funded programs also qualify.
Specifically, this includes licensed facilities, pharmacies, and school-based health centers operating under the State Public Health Law, Mental Hygiene Law, and Education Law. Programs funded by key state offices such as 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 included.
The submission process varies for Medicaid and non-Medicaid employers. Medicaid employers must be actively enrolled and payable through eMedNY, possessing an active MMIS ID to access the HWB Program Portal. For enrollment information, the eMedNY website offers detailed guidance.
Non-Medicaid employers can also utilize the HWB Program Portal, using their SFS Vendor ID for submissions. Employers with Medicaid-ineligible but bonus-eligible staff should contact their respective state agency for specific program details. Agencies overseeing non-Medicaid providers include the Office of Mental Health, Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, Office of Children and Family Services, and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports. The education sector component of the bonus program was scheduled to launch in October. Medicaid providers who are qualified employers but employ state-paid workers should coordinate through their state agency.
Understanding Worker Eligibility
To be eligible for the HWB Program, employees must be “front line health care and mental hygiene practitioners, technicians, assistants and aides that provide hands on health or care services to individuals”. Crucially, eligible employees must work for a qualified employer and hold a position listed under the Eligible Worker Titles.
Key eligibility criteria for employees include:
- Continuous Employment: Employees must have been continuously employed by a qualified employer for at least one full vesting period.
- Eligible Worker Title: The employee’s job title must be on the official list of Eligible Worker Titles. This is a critical aspect of eligibility and ensures the bonus targets frontline care providers.
- Annualized Base Salary Limit: Employees must not exceed an annualized base salary of $125,000 (excluding bonuses and overtime). This must be attested to by the employee and provided to the employer.
- Employment Status: Eligibility extends to full-time, part-time, temporary employees, and independent contractors.
- Medicaid Exclusion: Employees must not be suspended or excluded from the Medicaid program during the vesting period.
Bonus Payment Structure
Qualified employers are responsible for claiming bonus payments on behalf of their eligible employees. Employees cannot apply for bonuses individually. Claims must be submitted within 30 days of the Department of Health publishing a vesting schedule for completed vesting periods, and subsequently within 30 days after each additional vesting period concludes. An employee vests if they have worked for the employer in an Eligible Worker Title for the entire duration of a vesting period.
Upon an employee vesting, employers must provide them with an Employee Attestation Form, which must be returned before the claim submission deadline (30 days post-vesting). Employers are mandated to pay the bonuses to eligible employees within 30 days of receiving the bonus funds from the state.
Bonus amounts are determined by the average weekly hours worked during the vesting period:
- $500 Bonus: For employees working 20 to 30 hours per week.
- $1,000 Bonus: For employees working 30 to 35 hours per week.
- $1,500 Bonus: For employees working 35 or more hours per week.
Each qualified employee is eligible for up to two vesting periods per employer, with a maximum total bonus of $3,000.
Vesting Period Schedule
A vesting period is defined as a continuous six-month period between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2024. Employers must submit claims for all eligible employees whose 6-month vesting period concludes within the defined vesting period windows.
| Vesting Period | 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 complete Vesting Period Schedule is also available as a downloadable PDF for easy reference.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
To ensure program integrity, qualified employers who fail to properly identify, claim, and pay bonuses for more than 10% of eligible workers may face penalties up to $1,000 per violation. The Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) will conduct audits of payments to verify appropriate claim submission and fund distribution.
Employer Submission Process Details
Employers are required to initiate the bonus claim process on behalf of their employees. To begin, qualified employers must create an account on the HWB Program Portal using a valid MMIS ID, starting from August 3, 2022. Non-Medicaid employers will use their SFS Vendor ID on the same portal.
Once enrolled, employers can choose between two submission methods:
- Bulk Data Submission: Download a submission template for efficient bulk data uploads.
- Manual Entry: Submit employee information directly through manual entry on the portal.
Detailed instructions are available in the Technical Portal Guide, accessible on the HWB Program Portal.
Detailed List of Eligible Worker Titles
Eligibility for the bonus program is also defined by specific worker titles that are considered frontline and directly involved in health or care services. These titles are categorized and based on classifications from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the State’s Consolidated Fiscal Reporting and Claiming (CFR) manual, and are authorized under SOS § 367-w(2)(a)(iii).
Important Note on “All Other Health Care Support Workers”: This category includes roles similar to the listed titles that support direct patient care within patient care units of hospitals or institutional medical settings. These workers must be directly involved in supporting patient-facing care.
The expansion of the HWB Program, announced on November 17, 2022, broadened the scope of eligible titles and provider types. Further details are available in the HWB Program Expansion Notice.
Comprehensive 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 and assistance, please visit the HWB Program Portal or contact the Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) Call Center at (866) 682-0077.
