SAFETY NET HOSPITAL GRANT AWARD applications due Thursday, April 30

Vital Access Provider Assurance Program (VAPAP)

Full Applications Due April 30, 2015 by 5:00 p.m.

--Applicant Conference In-person and Webcast, Wednesday April 29 at 1:30 p.m.

The Department of Health is offering an opportunity for safety net hospitals that are not operated by a public benefit corporation and that meet the payor and financial distress criteria established by Section 6 of Part J of S.4610/A.6721, to apply for funding under the Vital Access Provider Assurance Program (VAPAP). VAPAP eligibility criteria is nearly identical to the criteria for the Interim Access Assurance Fund (IAAF) program, which ended on March 31, 2015.

VAPAP Applicant Conference

The Department will conduct an Applicant Conference and Webcast on Wednesday April 29, 2015. Location: Meeting Room 2, Empire State Plaza from 1:30 - 3:00. There will be a form that may be completed on the VAPAP webcast site that will allow applicants participating remotely to submit questions to the Department during the conference. The agenda will include:

• History of the Interim Access Assurance Fund (IAAF), the Vital Access Provider Program (VAP) and the blend of the two programs: VAPAP
• Timeline of Financial Reporting and Transitional Planning requirements
• Tools and Assistance Available
• Questions and Answers

More information on the webinar, including the agenda, can be found on the state Health Department webpage at:

http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/dsrip/vapap/applicant_conference_4-29-15.htm

Questions can be submitted from remote locations to:vapap@health.ny.gov

Given the near-term cash needs of a number of safety net hospitals, the VAPAP award process will proceed as follows:

• Following a determination of eligibility by the Department, qualifying applicants will receive an initial award amount for the months of April and May equivalent to 17 percent of the annualized amount of each applicant's total IAAF award. The annualized amount will be determined by multiplying the amount of IAAF received for the period June 2014 through March 2015 by 1.2 (i.e., converting 10 months to 12 months).
• The Department may adjust the calculated initial award amount by any factors it deems to be appropriate that would indicate a need for more or less VAPAP funds for the April through May period.
• For qualified applicants that did not receive an IAAF award, the Department will work with the applicant to determine an appropriate award amount for the April through May period.
• Hospitals that require cash assistance for the months of April 2015 and/or May 2015 were to have submitted an expedited application no later than 5:00pm on Thursday, April 9, 2015 to assure an initial award is received in the April 20, 2015 Medicaid cycle. Hospitals seeking to receive award payments in months following May must submit a Full application no later than 5:00pm on Thursday, April 30, 2015.
• The Department will notify applicants of their full-annual VAPAP award amount by May 18, 2015. Monthly payments subsequent to May 2015 will based on the full annual award amount, as adjusted for actual financial performance compared to estimates throughout the funding period.
• Similar to IAAF, the Department will accept new applications for VAPAP funds on an ongoing basis, and make awards contingent on available funding.
• VAPAP funds will only be authorized for payroll and payroll-related purposes; direct patient care expenses associated with existing services; and indirect expenses to preserve existing services. Following receipt and analysis of detailed financial information, the Department will determine whether funds provided for April and May were used for authorized purposes and may adjust subsequent award amounts accordingly, including recoupment of overpayments for preceding months.
• As required by statute, no later than September 30, 2015, VAPAP recipients must secure Department approval of a multi-year transformation plan that is aligned with DSRIP program goals and objectives, and demonstrates a path to long-term sustainability and improved patient care.
• Also, as authorized in statute, if a VAPAP recipient fails to submit a transformation plan that is acceptable to the Department, the Department may suspend or repeal an award.
  Although factors specific to individual VAPAP recipients will determine the nature and scope of the multi-year transformation plans, applicants may be required to commit to significant changes in governance, affiliation relationships, and service types and levels if such changes are determined necessary to achieve long-term financial sustainability. The applicant's governing body should be cognizant of the potential for such a commitment.
• The Department will schedule a call with VAPAP applicants later in April to discuss the process for development and approval of the multi-year transformation plans.

VAPAP Awards

Full SFY 2015-16 VAPAP awards will be announced May 18, 2015 and posted on the DOH VAPAP Awards page.

This information can be found on the state Health Department's website, at: http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/dsrip/vapap/