Bill Text: NY S00833 | 2017-2018 | General Assembly | Amended

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Bill Title: Establishes a task force to conduct a study on the ability to utilize telehealth within the workers' compensation system.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-05-22 - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE [S00833 Detail]

Download: New_York-2017-S00833-Amended.html

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                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
                                         833--A
                               2017-2018 Regular Sessions
                    IN SENATE
                                     January 5, 2017
                                       ___________
        Introduced  by  Sen.  YOUNG  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor  --  recommitted  to
          the  Committee  on  Labor  in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 --
          committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as  amended  and
          recommitted to said committee
        AN ACT to establish a task force to conduct a comprehensive study on the
          ability to utilize telehealth within the workers' compensation system;
          and  providing  for  the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration
          thereof
          The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and  Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:
     1    Section  1.  Legislative  intent.  The  legislature  recognizes due to
     2  geographic  restrictions,   provider   shortages,   inclement   weather,
     3  restricted  patient mobility and the lack of authorized workers' compen-
     4  sation medical providers that have familiarity with the language  spoken
     5  by  injured  workers,  patients face challenges in accessing health care
     6  providers and health care services.  It  is  critically  important  that
     7  injured workers are provided with the ability to receive quality medical
     8  care  in  an  efficient and expeditious manner. Telehealth is a valuable
     9  tool in improving the continuity, coordination, and efficiency  of  care
    10  for rural and underserved populations.
    11    To  date,  there  has  not been a comprehensive study conducted in New
    12  York state to examine the efficacy of  telehealth  for  injured  workers
    13  seeking  workers'  compensation benefits in rural and underserved areas.
    14  The legislature therefore supports the commissioning of such a study  in
    15  order to assess the effectiveness in allowing health care services to be
    16  provided by telehealth.
    17    §  2.  A  task  force is hereby established to conduct a comprehensive
    18  study on the ability to utilize telehealth within the  workers'  compen-
    19  sation system. The scope of such study shall include:
         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD06237-02-8
        S. 833--A                           2
     1    a.  the  determination  of  the feasibility of implementation of tele-
     2  health for medical exams for workers' compensation claims  that  ensures
     3  injured workers protection and access to quality care;
     4    b.  the  ability  to diagnose through telehealth and remain within the
     5  treatment guidelines set by the workers' compensation board;
     6    c. the cost impact on employers;
     7    d. the ability to prevent fraud; and
     8    e. any other related information that the  chairman  of  the  workers'
     9  compensation  board  may deem necessary or relevant in carrying out this
    10  study.
    11    § 3. a.  The task force shall consist of 7 members to be appointed  as
    12  follows:
    13    (1) 3 members appointed by the governor;
    14    (2) 2 members appointed by the temporary president of the senate; and
    15    (3) 2 members appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
    16    b.  The  governor  shall designate one of his or her appointees as the
    17  chair of the task force.
    18    c. The members of the task force shall be composed of individuals with
    19  expertise in the workers' compensation system and/or  the  provision  of
    20  health care services by telehealth.
    21    d.  The  members  of  the task force shall receive no compensation for
    22  their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
    23  incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
    24    § 4. The task force shall make a report  to  the  legislature  of  its
    25  findings, conclusions and recommendations on or before January 1, 2019.
    26    §  5.  This act shall take effect immediately, and shall expire and be
    27  deemed repealed February 1, 2019.