LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS/AGENCIES LOCATED THROUGHOUT NEW YORK STATE (EXCLUSIVE OF NEW YORK CITY)

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Refugee Health Program announces the opportunity for qualified licensed health care providers/agencies located throughout New York State (exclusive of New York City) to provide refugee health assessments and initial adult vaccinations to new refugee arrivals to the State. The refugee health assessment is designed to promptly identify refugees with health conditions of personal and public health concern; to introduce refugees into the US health care system; to ensure refugees receive ongoing care and appropriate follow up for identified problems by referrals to primary and specialty care providers; and to initiate vaccines required for refugees to adjust their status for permanent residency. The refugee health assessment consists of a set of basic screening components designed to identify health issues typically found in refugee populations. Assessments, completed according to the required protocol, will be reimbursed at an all-inclusive per capita rate of $338.50 (upstate) or $346.39 (downstate, which includes Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties). Initial vaccines for adults will be reimbursed at a maximum of $208.00 per person, where those vaccines were administered during a reimbursable health assessment and actual cost of the vaccines is documented. The program is supported by an annual allocation of Refugee Medical Assistance funds awarded by the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. The total allocation for budget year March 31, 2011 to March 30, 2012 is expected to be $2,446,148. In the event funds for the budget year are exhausted, a limit may be placed on the number of health assessments to be provided.

Health care providers/agencies interested in participating in the Program must complete and submit the NYSDOH Refugee Medical Assistance Program application, meet the requirements described therein, and be approved for enrollment. An applicant must be a licensed health care provider (i.e., physician, nurse practitioner, community health center, county health department or clinic); must demonstrate clinical experience and staffing capacity necessary to provide health screenings in accordance with established protocols; must employ bilingual staff or provide interpreter services to overcome language barriers to care; and must demonstrate established linkages to services, whether on site or by referral, to primary care, specialty care, and mental health services. Experience with the health and mental health needs of refugees, asylees, and victims of trafficking, and in conjunction with office/clinic location accessible to refugees and refugee service agencies is desirable.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. The Program operates on a five-year contract cycle from March 31, 2010 to March 30, 2015 with annual renewals. Contracts can be awarded to approved applicants at any time during this period, and will be in effect for the remainder of the five-year contract cycle, contingent on provider performance and availability of federal RMA funding.

For an application, contact: Department of Health, Refugee Health Program, Bureau of Tuberculosis Control, ESP Corning Tower, Rm. 840, Albany, NY 12237-0669, (518) 474-4845, e-mail: [email protected]