Bill Text: NY A05217 | 2011-2012 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Authorizes the care and treatment of injured employees by licensed or certified acupuncturists under the workers' compensation program.

Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-03-01 - print number 5217a [A05217 Detail]

Download: New_York-2011-A05217-Introduced.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         5217
                              2011-2012 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                   February 14, 2011
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by M. of A. MENG, PHEFFER, SPANO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M.
         of A. BRENNAN, COLTON, TITONE -- read once and referred to the Commit-
         tee on Labor
       AN ACT to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to  the  care
         and treatment of injured employees by licensed or certified acupunctu-
         rists
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. The workers' compensation law is amended by  adding  a  new
    2  section 13-p to read as follows:
    3    S  13-P. CARE AND TREATMENT OF INJURED EMPLOYEES BY LICENSED OR CERTI-
    4  FIED ACUPUNCTURISTS. 1. WHERE THE TERM "ACUPUNCTURIST" IS USED  IN  THIS
    5  SECTION, SUCH TERM SHALL MEAN A PERSON WHO IS:
    6    (A)  DULY LICENSED AND REGISTERED AS A LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST PURSUANT
    7  TO ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED SIXTY OF THE EDUCATION LAW; OR
    8    (B) A CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION
    9  EIGHTY-TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THE EDUCATION LAW.
   10    2. (A) AN INJURED EMPLOYEE, INJURED  UNDER  CIRCUMSTANCES  WHICH  MAKE
   11  SUCH  AN INJURY COMPENSABLE UNDER THIS ARTICLE, MAY LAWFULLY BE TREATED,
   12  UPON THE REFERRAL  OF  AN  AUTHORIZED  PHYSICIAN,  BY  AN  ACUPUNCTURIST
   13  AUTHORIZED  BY  THE  CHAIR  TO  RENDER ACUPUNCTURE CARE PURSUANT TO THIS
   14  SECTION. SUCH SERVICES SHALL BE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF  THE  PROFESSION  OF
   15  ACUPUNCTURE  AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION EIGHTY-TWO HUNDRED
   16  ELEVEN OF THE EDUCATION LAW.
   17    (B) MEDICAL BUREAUS, MEDICAL CENTERS JOINTLY  OPERATED  BY  LABOR  AND
   18  MANAGEMENT  REPRESENTATIVES,  HOSPITALS AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZA-
   19  TIONS, AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE PURSUANT TO SECTION THIRTEEN-C
   20  OF THIS ARTICLE, MAY PROVIDE ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES  WHEN  REQUIRED,  UPON
   21  THE  REFERRAL OF AN AUTHORIZED PHYSICIAN, PROVIDED SUCH CARE IS RENDERED
   22  BY AN ACUPUNCTURIST AS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD05535-01-1
       A. 5217                             2
    1    (C) AN ACUPUNCTURIST RENDERING SERVICE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION  SHALL
    2  MAINTAIN  RECORDS  OF THE PATIENT'S CONDITION AND ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT,
    3  AND SUCH RECORDS OR REPORTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED  TO  THE  CHAIR  ON  SUCH
    4  FORMS AND AT SUCH TIMES AS THE CHAIR MAY REQUIRE.
    5    3.  (A) AN ACUPUNCTURIST WHO IS DESIROUS OF BEING AUTHORIZED TO RENDER
    6  ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL FILE  AN  APPLICATION  FOR
    7  AUTHORIZATION  UNDER  THIS SECTION WITH THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMIT-
    8  TEE. THE APPLICANT SHALL AGREE TO REFRAIN FROM SUBSEQUENTLY TREATING FOR
    9  REMUNERATION, AS A  PRIVATE  PATIENT,  ANY  PERSON  SEEKING  ACUPUNCTURE
   10  SERVICES,  IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF, ANY INJURY COMPENSABLE
   11  UNDER THIS CHAPTER, IF HE OR SHE HAS  BEEN  REMOVED  FROM  THE  LIST  OF
   12  ACUPUNCTURISTS  AUTHORIZED  TO RENDER SERVICES UNDER THIS CHAPTER.  THIS
   13  AGREEMENT SHALL RUN TO THE BENEFIT OF THE INJURED PERSON SO TREATED, AND
   14  SHALL BE AVAILABLE AS A DEFENSE IN ANY ACTION BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST  FOR
   15  PAYMENT FOR TREATMENT RENDERED BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST AFTER BEING REMOVED
   16  FROM  THE  LIST  OF  ACUPUNCTURISTS  AUTHORIZED  TO  RENDER  ACUPUNCTURE
   17  SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION. THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE  COMMITTEE  IF  IT
   18  DEEMS  SUCH  ACUPUNCTURIST  DULY  QUALIFIED SHALL RECOMMEND TO THE CHAIR
   19  THAT SUCH PERSON BE AUTHORIZED TO RENDER ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THIS
   20  SECTION.  SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL BE ONLY ADVISORY TO THE  CHAIR  AND
   21  SHALL NOT BE BINDING OR CONCLUSIVE.
   22    (B)  THE CHAIR SHALL PREPARE AND ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE FOR THE STATE OR
   23  SCHEDULES LIMITED TO DEFINED LOCALITIES OF CHARGES AND FEES FOR ACUPUNC-
   24  TURE TREATMENT AND CARE, TO BE DETERMINED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  AND  BE
   25  SUBJECT  TO  CHANGE  PURSUANT  TO RULES PROMULGATED BY THE CHAIR. BEFORE
   26  PREPARING SUCH SCHEDULE FOR THE STATE OR SCHEDULES FOR  LIMITED  LOCALI-
   27  TIES  THE  CHAIR  SHALL  REQUEST  THE  ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE TO
   28  SUBMIT TO SUCH CHAIR A REPORT ON THE AMOUNT OF  REMUNERATION  DEEMED  BY
   29  SUCH  COMMITTEE  TO  BE  FAIR  AND ADEQUATE FOR THE TYPES OF ACUPUNCTURE
   30  SERVICES TO BE RENDERED UNDER THIS CHAPTER, BUT CONSIDERATION  SHALL  BE
   31  GIVEN  TO  THE VIEW OF OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.  THE AMOUNTS PAYABLE BY
   32  THE EMPLOYER FOR SUCH TREATMENT AND  SERVICES  SHALL  BE  THE  FEES  AND
   33  CHARGES ESTABLISHED BY SUCH SCHEDULE.
   34    (C)  IN DETERMINING THE SCHEDULE OR SCHEDULES AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH
   35  (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE CHAIR  SHALL  MAKE  A  DISTINCTION  BETWEEN
   36  TREATMENT  RENDERED  BY  A  DULY  LICENSED  AND REGISTERED ACUPUNCTURIST
   37  SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED SIXTY OF THE  EDUCATION
   38  LAW  AND  A CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION
   39  EIGHTY-TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THE EDUCATION LAW,  AND  THE  CHAIR  SHALL
   40  PREPARE AND ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE OR SCHEDULES REFLECTING FEES AND CHARG-
   41  ES APPROPRIATE TO THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE TREATMENT RENDERED BY EACH
   42  TYPE  OF  PRACTITIONER, GIVING DUE CONSIDERATION TO ALL RELEVANT FACTORS
   43  INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION OF THE PRACTITION-
   44  ER, THE TYPE OF TREATMENT RENDERED, WHETHER THE ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT IS
   45  BEING PROVIDED AS THE PRINCIPAL TREATMENT OR AS  AN  ADJUNCT  TREATMENT,
   46  AND  THE  BILLING PRACTICES ENTAILED, INCLUDING WHETHER THE PRACTITIONER
   47  SUBMITS ONE COMPREHENSIVE BILL OR BILLS SEPARATELY FOR  THE  ACUPUNCTURE
   48  TREATMENT, OFFICE VISITS AND OTHER ITEMS.
   49    4.  (A) NO CLAIM FOR ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES SHALL BE VALID AND ENFORCEA-
   50  BLE AS AGAINST THE EMPLOYER OR EMPLOYEES UNLESS WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT HOURS
   51  FOLLOWING THE FIRST TREATMENT THE  ACUPUNCTURIST  GIVING  SUCH  CARE  OR
   52  TREATMENT FURNISHES TO THE EMPLOYER AND DIRECTLY TO THE CHAIR A PRELIMI-
   53  NARY NOTICE OF SUCH INJURY AND TREATMENT, AND WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS THERE-
   54  AFTER  A MORE COMPLETE REPORT AND SUBSEQUENT THERETO PROGRESS REPORTS AS
   55  REQUESTED IN WRITING BY THE CHAIR, BOARD, EMPLOYER OR INSURANCE CARRIER,
   56  AT INTERVALS OF NOT LESS THAN THREE WEEKS  APART  OR  AT  LESS  FREQUENT
       A. 5217                             3
    1  INTERVALS  IF  REQUESTED ON FORMS PRESCRIBED BY THE CHAIR. THE BOARD MAY
    2  EXCUSE THE FAILURE TO GIVE SUCH NOTICES WITHIN  THE  DESIGNATED  PERIODS
    3  WHEN IT FINDS IT TO BE IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE TO DO SO.
    4    (B)  UPON  RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE PROVIDED FOR BY PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS
    5  SUBDIVISION, THE EMPLOYER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE  CLAIMANT  EXAM-
    6  INED  BY AN ACUPUNCTURIST AT A PLACE REASONABLY CONVENIENT TO THE CLAIM-
    7  ANT AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE CLAIMANT'S ACUPUNCTURIST, AND REFUSAL  BY
    8  THE  CLAIMANT TO SUBMIT TO SUCH EXAMINATION AT SUCH TIME OR TIMES AS MAY
    9  REASONABLY BE NECESSARY IN THE OPINION OF THE BOARD SHALL BAR THE CLAIM-
   10  ANT FROM RECOVERING COMPENSATION, FOR ANY PERIOD DURING WHICH HE OR  SHE
   11  HAS REFUSED TO SUBMIT TO SUCH EXAMINATION.
   12    5.  FEES  FOR  ACUPUNCTURE  SERVICES  SHALL  BE PAYABLE ONLY TO A DULY
   13  LICENSED OR CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST  PURSUANT  TO  ARTICLE  ONE  HUNDRED
   14  SIXTY  OF  THE EDUCATION LAW, OR TO THE AGENT, EXECUTOR OR ADMINISTRATOR
   15  OF THE ESTATE OF SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST.  NO ACUPUNCTURIST RENDERING  TREAT-
   16  MENT TO A COMPENSATION CLAIMANT SHALL COLLECT OR RECEIVE A FEE FROM SUCH
   17  CLAIMANT  WITHIN  THIS  STATE,  BUT  SHALL  HAVE RECOURSE FOR PAYMENT OF
   18  SERVICES RENDERED ONLY TO THE EMPLOYER  UNDER  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS
   19  SECTION.
   20    6.  WHENEVER  HIS  OR  HER  ATTENDANCE  AT  A HEARING IS REQUIRED, THE
   21  ACUPUNCTURIST OF THE INJURED EMPLOYEE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A FEE
   22  FROM THE EMPLOYER IN AN AMOUNT TO BE FIXED BY THE BOARD, IN ADDITION  TO
   23  ANY  FEE  PAYABLE UNDER SECTION EIGHT THOUSAND ONE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE
   24  LAW AND RULES.
   25    7. (A) UNLESS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER A BILL HAS BEEN RENDERED TO THE
   26  EMPLOYER BY THE ACUPUNCTURIST WHO HAS TREATED AN INJURED EMPLOYEE,  SUCH
   27  EMPLOYER SHALL HAVE NOTIFIED THE CHAIR AND SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST IN WRITING
   28  THAT  SUCH  EMPLOYER DEMANDS AN IMPARTIAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAIRNESS OF
   29  THE AMOUNT CLAIMED BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST FOR HIS OR  HER  SERVICES,  THE
   30  RIGHT  TO SUCH AN IMPARTIAL EXAMINATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE WAIVED AND
   31  THE AMOUNT CLAIMED BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE THE  FAIR
   32  VALUE  OF THE SERVICES RENDERED.  IF THE PARTIES FAIL TO AGREE AS TO THE
   33  ACUPUNCTURE CARE RENDERED UNDER THIS CHAPTER TO A CLAIMANT,  SUCH  VALUE
   34  SHALL  BE DECIDED BY THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE AND THE MAJORITY
   35  DECISION OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE UPON THE  PARTIES  AS  TO
   36  THE  VALUE OF THE SERVICES RENDERED. THE BOARD MAY MAKE AN AWARD FOR ANY
   37  SUCH BILL OR PART THEREOF WHICH REMAINS UNPAID IN THE SAME MANNER AS  AN
   38  AWARD  FOR  BILLS  RENDERED  UNDER SUBDIVISIONS ONE AND THREE OF SECTION
   39  THIRTEEN-G OF THIS ARTICLE, AND SUCH AWARD  MAY  BE  COLLECTED  IN  LIKE
   40  MANNER  AS  AN  AWARD OF COMPENSATION. THE CHAIR SHALL ASSESS THE SUM OF
   41  FIFTY DOLLARS AGAINST THE EMPLOYER FOR  EACH  SUCH  AWARD  MADE  BY  THE
   42  BOARD, WHICH SUM SHALL BE PAID INTO THE STATE TREASURY.
   43    (B)  WHERE  AN  ACUPUNCTURIST'S BILL HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE DUE AND
   44  OWING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE  BOARD  MAY
   45  IMPOSE  A PENALTY OF NOT MORE THAN ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT INTEREST PER
   46  MONTH PAYABLE TO THE ACUPUNCTURIST IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  RULES  AND
   47  REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE BOARD.
   48    (C)  THE  PARTIES TO SUCH PROCEEDING SHALL EACH PAY TO THE CHAIR A SUM
   49  EQUAL TO FIVE PER CENTUM OF THE AMOUNT PAYABLE  UNDER  THE  DECISION  OF
   50  SUCH  COMMITTEE  OR A MINIMUM OF FIVE DOLLARS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. THE
   51  SUMS SO COLLECTED SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE  TREASURY  TO  REIM-
   52  BURSE IT ON ACCOUNT OF THE EXPENSE OF ADMINISTERING THIS SECTION.
   53    8.  WITHIN  THE LIMITS PRESCRIBED BY THE EDUCATION LAW FOR ACUPUNCTURE
   54  SERVICES,  THE  REPORT  OR  TESTIMONY  OF  AN  AUTHORIZED  ACUPUNCTURIST
   55  CONCERNING  THE  CONDITION  OF AN INJURED EMPLOYEE AND TREATMENT THEREOF
   56  SHALL BE DEEMED COMPETENT EVIDENCE AND THE PROFESSIONAL OPINION  OF  THE
       A. 5217                             4
    1  ACUPUNCTURIST  AS  TO CAUSAL RELATION AND AS TO REQUIRED TREATMENT SHALL
    2  BE DEEMED COMPETENT BUT  SHALL  NOT  BE  CONTROLLING.  NOTHING  IN  THIS
    3  SECTION  SHALL BE DEEMED TO DEPRIVE ANY EMPLOYER OR INSURANCE CARRIER OF
    4  ANY  RIGHT TO A MEDICAL EXAMINATION OR PRESENTATION OF MEDICAL TESTIMONY
    5  NOW CONFERRED BY LAW.
    6    9. THE CHAIR SHALL PROMULGATE RULES  GOVERNING  THE  PROCEDURE  TO  BE
    7  FOLLOWED  BY  THOSE  RENDERING  ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION,
    8  WHICH RULES SO FAR AS PRACTICABLE SHALL CONFORM TO THE  RULES  PRESENTLY
    9  IN EFFECT WITH REFERENCE TO MEDICAL CARE FURNISHED TO CLAIMANTS IN WORK-
   10  ERS' COMPENSATION. IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROMULGATION OF SUCH RULES THE
   11  CHAIR  MAY  CONSULT THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE AND MAY TAKE INTO
   12  CONSIDERATION THE VIEW OF OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
   13    10. THE CHAIR SHALL APPOINT FOR AND WITH JURISDICTION  IN  THE  ENTIRE
   14  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK A SINGLE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF
   15  TWO LICENSED ACUPUNCTURISTS, AND ONE  DULY  LICENSED  PHYSICIAN  OF  THE
   16  STATE  OF  NEW YORK. EACH MEMBER OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL RECEIVE COMPEN-
   17  SATION EITHER ON AN ANNUAL BASIS OR ON A PER DIEM BASIS TO BE  FIXED  BY
   18  THE  CHAIR  WITHIN  AMOUNTS  APPROPRIATED THEREFOR. ONE OF SUCH LICENSED
   19  ACUPUNCTURISTS SHALL BE DESIGNATED BY THE  CHAIR  AS  A  CHAIR  OF  SUCH
   20  ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE. NO MEMBER OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL RENDER
   21  ACUPUNCTURE  SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION NOR BE AN EMPLOYER OR ACCEPT OR
   22  PARTICIPATE IN ANY FEE FROM ANY INSURANCE COMPANY  AUTHORIZED  TO  WRITE
   23  WORKERS'  COMPENSATION INSURANCE IN THIS STATE OR FROM ANY SELF-INSURER,
   24  WHETHER SUCH EMPLOYMENT OR FEE RELATES TO A WORKERS' COMPENSATION  CLAIM
   25  OR  OTHERWISE.  THE  ATTORNEY  GENERAL,  UPON  REQUEST, SHALL ADVISE AND
   26  ASSIST SUCH COMMITTEE.
   27    11. THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE  SHALL  INVESTIGATE,  HEAR  AND
   28  MAKE  FINDINGS  WITH  RESPECT TO ALL CHARGES AS TO PROFESSIONAL OR OTHER
   29  MISCONDUCT OF ANY AUTHORIZED ACUPUNCTURISTS AS PROVIDED IN THIS  SECTION
   30  UNDER  RULES  AND  PROCEDURES  TO  BE  PRESCRIBED BY THE CHAIR AND SHALL
   31  REPORT EVIDENCE OF SUCH MISCONDUCT, WITH THEIR FINDINGS AND  RECOMMENDA-
   32  TIONS  WITH  RESPECT  THERETO, TO THE CHAIR.  THE FINDINGS, DECISION AND
   33  RECOMMENDATION OF SUCH ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE SHALL BE  ADVISORY
   34  TO  THE  CHAIR  ONLY, AND SHALL NOT BE BINDING OR CONCLUSIVE UPON HIM OR
   35  HER. THE CHAIR SHALL REMOVE FROM THE LIST OF  ACUPUNCTURISTS  AUTHORIZED
   36  TO  RENDER  ACUPUNCTURE  SERVICES UNDER THIS CHAPTER OR TO CONDUCT INDE-
   37  PENDENT EXAMINATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH  PARAGRAPH  (B)  OF  SUBDIVISION
   38  FOUR  OF  THIS SECTION THE NAME OF ANY ACUPUNCTURIST WHO HE OR SHE SHALL
   39  FIND  AFTER  REASONABLE  INVESTIGATION  IS  DISQUALIFIED  BECAUSE   SUCH
   40  ACUPUNCTURIST:
   41    (A) HAS BEEN GUILTY OF PROFESSIONAL OR OTHER MISCONDUCT OR INCOMPETEN-
   42  CY IN CONNECTION WITH THE RENDERING OF ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES,
   43    (B)  HAS  EXCEEDED THE LIMITS OF HIS OR HER PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE IN
   44  RENDERING ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THE LAW, OR HAS MADE  FALSE  STATE-
   45  MENTS REGARDING QUALIFICATIONS IN THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION,
   46    (C)  HAS FAILED TO SUBMIT TIMELY, FULL AND TRUTHFUL ACUPUNCTURE EVALU-
   47  ATION AND TREATMENT REPORTS OF ALL FINDINGS TO THE EMPLOYER AND DIRECTLY
   48  TO THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD  WITHIN  THE  TIME  LIMITS  PROVIDED  IN  THIS
   49  SECTION,
   50    (D)  HAS  RENDERED  ACUPUNCTURE  SERVICES UNDER THIS CHAPTER FOR A FEE
   51  LESS THAN THAT FIXED IN THE FEE SCHEDULE,
   52    (E) HAS SOLICITED OR HAS EMPLOYED ANOTHER TO SOLICIT  FOR  HIMSELF  OR
   53  HERSELF OR FOR ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT, EXAMINATION OR CARE OF AN
   54  INJURED EMPLOYEE WITH ANY CLAIM UNDER THIS CHAPTER,
   55    (F)  HAS REFUSED TO APPEAR BEFORE OR ANSWER UPON REQUEST OF THE CHAIR,
   56  BOARD, ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE OR ANY DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICER  OF
       A. 5217                             5
    1  THE  STATE,  ANY  LEGAL  QUESTION  OR PRODUCE ANY RELEVANT BOOK OR PAPER
    2  CONCERNING CONDUCT UNDER AN AUTHORIZATION GRANTED UNDER LAW, OR
    3    (G)  HAS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY REQUESTED, RECEIVED OR PARTICIPATED IN
    4  THE DIVISION, TRANSFERENCE, ASSIGNMENT, REBATING, SPLITTING OR REFUNDING
    5  OF A FEE FOR, OR HAS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY REQUESTED, RECEIVED OR PROF-
    6  ITED BY MEANS OF A CREDIT  OR  OTHERWISE  VALUABLE  CONSIDERATION  AS  A
    7  COMMISSION,  DISCOUNT  OR GRATUITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE TREATMENT OF A
    8  WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMANT.
    9    12. ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES OR ATTEMPTS TO VIOLATE, AND ANY PERSON WHO
   10  AIDS ANOTHER TO VIOLATE OR ATTEMPTS TO INDUCE HIM OR HER TO VIOLATE  THE
   11  PROVISIONS  OF PARAGRAPH (G) OF SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF THIS SECTION SHALL
   12  BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR.
   13    13. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE  CONSTRUED  AS  LIMITING  IN  ANY
   14  RESPECT  THE  POWER  OR  DUTY  OF  THE CHAIR TO INVESTIGATE INSTANCES OF
   15  MISCONDUCT, EITHER BEFORE OR  AFTER  INVESTIGATION  BY  THE  ACUPUNCTURE
   16  PRACTICE  COMMITTEE,  OR TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND THE AUTHORIZATION OF ANY
   17  ACUPUNCTURIST BELIEVED TO BE GUILTY OF SUCH MISCONDUCT.  THE  PROVISIONS
   18  OF  SUBDIVISION  ONE OF SECTION THIRTEEN-D OF THIS ARTICLE WHICH ARE NOT
   19  INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE APPLICABLE  AS
   20  IF FULLY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
   21    14.  NOTHING  CONTAINED  IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT ACUPUNCTURISTS
   22  WHO PRACTICE AS PARTNERS, IN GROUPS OR  AS  A  PROFESSIONAL  CORPORATION
   23  FROM  POOLING  FEES  AND  MONEYS  RECEIVED,  EITHER  BY THE PARTNERSHIP,
   24  PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION OR GROUP OR BY THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS  THEREOF,
   25  FOR  PROFESSIONAL  SERVICES  FURNISHED  BY  ANY  INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL
   26  MEMBER, OR EMPLOYEE OF SUCH PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION OR GROUP, NOR SHALL
   27  THE PROFESSIONALS CONSTITUTING THE PARTNERSHIPS, CORPORATIONS, OR GROUPS
   28  BE PROHIBITED FROM SHARING, DIVIDING OR APPORTIONING THE FEES AND MONEYS
   29  RECEIVED BY THEM OR BY THE PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION OR GROUP IN  ACCORD-
   30  ANCE WITH A PARTNERSHIP OR OTHER AGREEMENT.
   31    S 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
   32  it  shall  have  become a law. Provided, that effective immediately, the
   33  addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules and regulations necessary
   34  to implement the provisions of  this  act  on  its  effective  date  are
   35  authorized  and  directed  to  be  completed on or before such effective
   36  date.
feedback