On November 23, 2022 Governor Hochul signed Executive Order (EO) 4.15, which continues certain regulatory relief measures for home care providers until December 23, 2022. As its predecessor, EO 4.15 provides that:
- Initial patient visits for CHHAs, LTHHCPs, and AIDS home care programs may be made within 48 hours of receipt and acceptance of a community referral or return home from institutional placement;
- CHHAs, LTHHCPs, AIDS home care programs and LHCSAs may conduct in-home supervision of home health aides and personal care aides as soon as practicable after the initial service visit, or permit in-person and in-home supervision to be conducted through indirect means, including by telephone or video communication;
- Nursing supervision visits for personal care services to be made as soon as practicable.
- RNs, LPNs, and NPs licensed and in current good standing in any state in the United States may practice in New York State without civil or criminal penalty related to lack of licensure;
- Allows New York State-licensed providers without current registrations to practice without penalty for lack of registration;
- Expands the scope of practice for additional health care workers to allow for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, including an expansion of the ability of midwives, registered nurses, physicians and nurse practitioners to more easily administer and order COVID-19 vaccinations and testing as well as flu vaccinations.
Note that while the above relief measures continue, the state Department of Health still expects agencies to adhere to existing state regulations and to provide services in patients’ homes. If the agencies cannot do so, then they should document what barriers they have encountered in these areas and their efforts to address such barriers that necessitate utilization of these relief provisions.