The New York State Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) program stands as a significant initiative to acknowledge and reward the tireless efforts of healthcare and mental hygiene workers. These frontline heroes have been instrumental in navigating unprecedented public health challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program, funded with $1.2 billion, aims to both attract new talent to this critical sector and retain the dedicated professionals who have served New York communities with unwavering commitment.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the New York State Health Care Worker Bonus program, drawing from official sources to ensure accuracy and clarity. We will delve into program specifics, eligibility criteria, bonus amounts, and the application process, offering essential information for both employers and healthcare workers seeking to understand and participate in this beneficial program.
Understanding the NYS Health Care Worker Bonus Program
Enacted as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 New York State Executive Budget, 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” across the state. The program recognizes the extraordinary dedication of frontline workers by offering bonuses commensurate with hours worked during specific vesting periods, with potential payouts reaching up to $3,000 per eligible worker. Governor Hochul officially launched this vital program, underscoring the state’s commitment to its healthcare workforce, as detailed in the official press release.
To further assist stakeholders, New York State has organized a Healthcare Worker Bonus (HWB) Program Town Hall Webinar Series, ensuring accessible information and guidance.
Who are Qualified Employers for the HWB Program?
Eligibility for the New York State Health Care Worker Bonus program extends to a range of employers within the healthcare and related sectors. Qualified employers include providers who bill for services under the Medicaid state plan or through home or community-based services (HCBS) waivers. This also encompasses 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, eligible employers are facilities, providers, pharmacies, and school-based health centers licensed under the state Public Health Law, Mental Hygiene Law, and Education Law. Programs funded by the Office of Mental Health (OMH), the Office for the Aging, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) are also included.
The submission process differs for Medicaid and non-Medicaid employers. Medicaid employers must be actively enrolled and payable through eMedNY with an active MMIS ID to utilize the HWB Program Portal. For enrollment information, the eMedNY website is a valuable resource.
Non-Medicaid employers can access the HWB Program Portal using their SFS Vendor ID. Employers with Medicaid-ineligible but bonus-eligible staff should contact their respective state agency for specific program details. These agencies may 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 is scheduled for rollout in October. Medicaid providers who are qualified employers but employ state-paid workers should coordinate through their relevant State agency.
Worker Eligibility: Are You Qualified for the NYS Bonus?
To be eligible for the New York State Health Care Worker Bonus, 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, employees must work for a qualified employer and hold a position listed under the Eligible Worker Titles.
Key eligibility criteria for workers include:
- Continuous Employment: Employees must be continuously employed by a qualified employer for at least one complete vesting period.
- Eligible Worker Title: The employee’s job title must be on the official list of Eligible Worker Titles.
- Annualized Base Salary Limit: Employees must not exceed an annualized base salary of $125,000 (excluding bonuses and overtime). This is confirmed via an Employee Attestation Form provided by the employer.
- Employment Status: Eligibility extends to full-time, part-time, temporary employees, and independent contractors.
- Medicaid Program Status: Employees must not be suspended or excluded from the Medicaid program during the vesting period.
Bonus Amounts and Requirements for Healthcare Workers
Qualified employers are responsible for submitting bonus claims on behalf of their eligible employees participating in the HWB program. Employees cannot apply for the bonus independently. Claims must be submitted within 30 days after the Department of Health releases the vesting schedule for completed vesting periods, and subsequently within 30 days after each additional vesting period concludes. Vesting occurs when an employee works for the employer for the entire duration of a vesting period in an Eligible Worker Title.
Upon an employee vesting, employers must provide an Employee Attestation Form and ensure its return before the claim due date (30 days post-vesting). Employers are mandated to pay 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 at least 20 but no more than 30 hours per week.
- $1,000 Bonus: For employees working at least 30 but no more than 35 hours per week.
- $1,500 Bonus: For employees working at least 35 hours per week.
Important Note: An employee can qualify for up to two vesting periods per employer, with a maximum total bonus of $3,000.
Vesting Period Schedule for NYS HWB Program
A vesting period is defined as a continuous six-month period between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2024. Employers will submit claims for all eligible employees whose 6-month vesting period concludes within the defined vesting periods outlined below.
| 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 for download as a PDF.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
To ensure program integrity, penalties are in place for qualified employers who fail to properly administer the New York State Health Care Worker Bonus program. Employers who do not identify, claim, and/or pay bonuses for more than 10 percent of their bonus-eligible workers may face penalties up to $1,000 per violation.
The Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) will conduct audits on payments disbursed by eMedNY to verify the appropriate claiming and distribution of funds.
Employer Submission Process via HWB Program Portal
Employers are required to claim bonuses on behalf of their employees; individual employees cannot claim bonuses themselves. To submit claims, employers must create an account on the HWB Program Portal using a valid MMIS ID, starting from Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Non-Medicaid employers will use their SFS Vendor ID on the same portal.
Upon enrollment, employers can choose to:
- Download a submission template for bulk data submissions.
- Submit data manually through the portal.
Detailed instructions are available in the Technical Portal Guide on the HWB Program Portal.
Comprehensive List of Eligible Worker Titles
The New York State Health Care Worker Bonus program covers a broad spectrum of roles. Eligible worker titles include frontline direct care health and mental hygiene workers, as well as all other health care support workers who directly support patient care. These 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).
Important Note on “All Other Health Care Support Workers”: This category encompasses workers in similar roles who support patient care within patient care units of hospitals or institutional medical settings.
An expansion to the HWB Program, announced on November 17, 2022, includes additional titles and eligible provider types. Further 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 about the New York State Health Care Worker Bonus program, please visit the official HWB Program Portal or contact the Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) Call Center at (866) 682-0077.
Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and based on the latest data available as of the creation date. Please refer to official New York State resources for the most up-to-date information and guidance.
