Vital Access Provider Assurance Program (VAPAP)

VAPAP Awards

Please refer to VAPAP April 2015 – March 2016 payment allocation, for details of VAPAP awards to date. This detail represents the April 2015 through February 2016 VAPAP allocations paid to qualifying facilities.

VAPAP Transformation Plans

VAPAP Transformation Plan Training Conference/Webinar

The Department hosted a VAPAP conference/webinar on July 21, 2015 at 1pm in Conference Room #2 in the Empire State Plaza, Albany for representatives with PPS and/or hospitals that have received, or are currently expected to receive, VAPAP assistance. During the conference/webinar, the Department introduced a transformation plan template and reviewed responsibilities for completion and submission of the transformation plans. The VAPAP Transformation Plan Template is available in the table below. Transformation plans acceptable to the Department were due by September 30, 2015.

For more details, email vapap@health.ny.gov

Expedited Applications Due: April 9, 2015, by 5:00 p.m. Full Applications Due April 30, 2015 by 5:00 p.m. (Milestone Achieved)

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

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 must submit 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. Facilities not eligible for VAPAP assistance on April 30, 2015 but become eligible at a later date may apply after the April 30 deadline. Awards will be granted based on the facility's condition and availability of funding at that time.
  • 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.

VAPAP Applicant Conference

The Department conducted an Applicant Conference and Webcast on Wednesday April 29, 2015. Location: Meeting Room 2, Empire State Plaza from 1:30 – 3:00. The agenda included:

  • 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

Please refer to the previously posted Announcement of Availability of Funding. You can also view the presentation slides and the archived webinar by clicking the appropriate link.

Contact Name & Address:

John Valitutto
Division of Health Economics and Provider Assistance
New York State Department of Health
Corning Tower, Room 1805
Albany, NY 12237
e–mail: vapap@health.ny.gov
  Safety Net Hospitals
Eligibles
  • Public Hospital defined as a general hospital operated by a county or municipality, but not by a public benefit corporation
  • Federally Designated Critical Access Hospital (CAH)
  • Federally Designated Sole Community Provider (SCP) Hospital
  • Hospital meeting at least one of the following two (2) requirements:
    1. Medicaid, Uninsured or Medicaid Dual eligible patients comprise at least 35% of all outpatient visits and Medicaid, Uninsured or Medicaid Dual eligible patients comprise at least 30% of all inpatient discharges.
    2. Provided services to at least 30% of the Medicaid, Uninsured or Medicaid Dual eligible population residing in the target county or counties.
  Agenda
Announcement of Availability of Funding
Budget Spreadsheet Safetynets (XLSX)
Budget Spreadsheet Instructions
VAPAP Monthly Reconciliation Spreadsheet (XLSM)
Monthly Reconciliation Instructions (revised 05–01–15)
VAPAP Transformation Plan Template (revised 08–26–15) (XLSX)
VAPAP Transformation Plan Template – May 13, 2016
Vital Access Provider Assistance Program (VAPAP) Question and Answers

2019–2020 VAPAP Payment Allocation
  May June July August September October November December January February March YTD Total
Brooks $2,500,000 $1,100,000 $1,211,690 $1,135,564 $1,528,778     $          –       $7,476,032
Cuba $90,967             $          –       $90,967
Eastern Niagara $392,947 $517,487 $622,225   $1,528,356     $          –       $3,061,015
River $450,597             $          –       $450,597
  $3,434,511 $1,617,487 $1,833,915 $1,135,564 $3,057,134 $          – $          – $          – $          – $          – $          – $11,078,611