Bill Text: NY S05373 | 2011-2012 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Enacts the "adversarial medical examination procedure act"; authorizes adversarial medical examinations and limits any physician-patient relationship resulting from such a medical examination; provides that the person subject to the examination shall have the right to representation.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-04 - REFERRED TO JUDICIARY [S05373 Detail]
Download: New_York-2011-S05373-Introduced.html
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 5373 2011-2012 Regular Sessions I N S E N A T E May 13, 2011 ___________ Introduced by Sen. DeFRANCISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary AN ACT to amend the civil practice law and rules, the insurance law, the workers' compensation law, the general municipal law and the court of claims act, in relation to enacting the "adversarial medical examina- tion procedure act" THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as 2 the "adversarial medical examination procedure act". 3 S 2. The legislature hereby finds and declares that the conducting of 4 physical and mental examinations in the course of civil litigation and 5 other civil proceedings has evolved in a manner inconsistent with the 6 civil practice law and rules and fundamental notions of due process. 7 Indeed, a commonly used term for such examinations, an "independent 8 medical examination," is itself a misnomer because the physician 9 conducting such examination is not at all independent, but is in fact 10 being compensated by a party or insurer whose interests are typically 11 adverse to those of the party being examined. Further, parties being 12 examined are frequently required to provide written responses to ques- 13 tions outside the discovery process prescribed in the civil practice law 14 and rules or relevant claims process and without the opportunity to 15 obtain advice of counsel, even though such written responses can and are 16 being used as admissions and/or to later impeach the examined party in 17 the course of such proceeding. Accordingly, the name by which such an 18 examination is called needs to be changed to reflect the true adver- 19 sarial nature of such examination; the process for obtaining information 20 from the party to be examined which is necessary to the proper conduct- 21 ing of the examination needs to be brought within the carefully consid- 22 ered discovery process which already exists in the civil practice law 23 and rules or claims process. EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD01389-02-1 S. 5373 2 1 S 3. Section 3121 of the civil practice law and rules, subdivision (a) 2 as amended by chapter 294 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as 3 follows: 4 S 3121. [Physical or mental] ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination. (a) 5 Notice of AN ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination. After commencement of an 6 action in which the mental or physical condition or the blood relation- 7 ship of a party, or of an agent, employee or person in the custody or 8 under the legal control of a party, is in controversy, any party may 9 serve notice on another party to submit to a physical, mental or blood 10 [examination] "ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION" by a designated physi- 11 cian, or to produce for such ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination his OR HER 12 agent, employee or the person in his OR HER custody or under his OR HER 13 legal control. The notice may require duly executed and acknowledged 14 written authorizations permitting all parties to obtain, and make copies 15 of, the records of specified hospitals relating to such mental or phys- 16 ical condition or blood relationship; where a party obtains a copy of a 17 hospital record as a result of the authorization of another party, he OR 18 SHE shall deliver a duplicate of the copy to such party. A copy of the 19 notice shall be served on the person SUBJECT to [be examined] THE ADVER- 20 SARIAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION. It shall specify the time, which shall be 21 not less than twenty days after service of the notice, and the condi- 22 tions and scope of the ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination, AND IT SHALL 23 INFORM THE PERSON SUBJECT TO THE EXAMINATION THAT HE OR SHE HAS THE 24 RIGHT TO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT DURING SUCH EXAMINATION, AND 25 SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECORD OR TAPE SUCH EXAMINATION IN A MANNER SUCH 26 AS NOT TO UNREASONABLY IMPEDE SUCH EXAMINATION. THE PERSON SUBJECT TO 27 THE ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ANY 28 DOCUMENTS OR SUPPLY ANY WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS PUT TO HIM OR HER 29 AT SUCH EXAMINATION EXCEPT AS IN RESPONSE TO PROPERLY SERVED DISCOVERY 30 DEMANDS MADE PURSUANT TO THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. 31 (b) Copy of report. A copy of a detailed written report of the examin- 32 ing physician setting out [his] THE findings and conclusions OF THE 33 ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION shall be delivered by the party seeking 34 the ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination to [any] EACH party [requesting to 35 exchange therefor a copy of each report in his control of an examination 36 made with respect to the mental or physical condition in controversy] 37 WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF SUCH EXAMINATION. 38 (C) FAILURE TO EXCHANGE. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL LIMIT 39 THE RIGHTS OF ANY PARTY FROM MOVING TO PRECLUDE OR FOR SEEKING OTHER 40 SANCTIONS PURSUANT TO RULE 3124 OR SECTION 3126 FOR FAILURE TO EXCHANGE 41 A DETAILED WRITTEN REPORT OF AN "ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION" UPON 42 OTHER PARTIES TO AN ACTION. 43 S 4. Section 5102 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new 44 subsection (n) to read as follows: 45 (N) "ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION" MEANS ANY PHYSICAL EXAMINATION 46 REQUESTED BY AN INSURER MADE IN RESPONSE TO A CLAIM MADE PURSUANT TO 47 BENEFITS UNDER THIS ARTICLE. THE PERSON SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION SHALL 48 HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT DURING SUCH EXAMINATION 49 AND SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECORD OR TAPE SUCH EXAMINATION IN A MANNER 50 SUCH AS NOT TO UNREASONABLY IMPEDE SUCH EXAMINATION. THE PERSON TO BE 51 EXAMINED SHALL BE INFORMED OF SUCH RIGHTS AT LEAST TWENTY DAYS PRIOR TO 52 SUCH EXAMINATION. IF SUCH EXAMINATION SHALL BE USED TO DENY, IN WHOLE 53 OR IN PART, ANY BENEFITS UNDER THIS SECTION, A COPY OF THE DETAILED 54 WRITTEN REPORT OF SUCH EXAMINATION, WRITTEN BY THE EXAMINING PHYSICIAN 55 OR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL, SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE INJURED PARTY AND 56 ANY THIRD-PARTY MEDICAL PROVIDER TO WHOM THE INJURED PARTY MAY HAVE S. 5373 3 1 ASSIGNED HIS OR HER CLAIM OR CLAIMS FOR BENEFITS ALONG WITH ANY DENIAL 2 OF BENEFITS. IN THE EVENT SUCH REPORT IS NOT SO PROVIDED BY THE INSURER 3 OR SELF-INSURER ALONG WITH THE DENIAL, THE INSURER SHALL BE PRECLUDED 4 FROM USING SUCH REPORT TO SUPPORT ANY DENIAL OF SUCH CLAIM. 5 S 5. Subdivision 4 of section 13-a of the workers' compensation law, 6 as amended by chapter 473 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as 7 follows: 8 (4) (a) No claim for medical or surgical treatment shall be valid and 9 enforceable, as against such employer, or employee, unless within 10 forty-eight hours following the first treatment the physician giving 11 such treatment furnishes to the employer and directly to the chair a 12 preliminary notice of such injury and treatment, within fifteen days 13 thereafter a more complete report and subsequent thereto progress 14 reports if requested in writing by the chair, board, employer or insur- 15 ance carrier at intervals of not less than three weeks apart or at less 16 frequent intervals if requested on forms prescribed by the chair. The 17 board may excuse failure to give such notices within the designated 18 periods when it finds it to be in the interest of justice to do so. 19 (b) Upon receipt of the notice provided for by paragraph (a) of this 20 subdivision, the employer, the carrier, and the claimant each shall be 21 entitled to have the claimant examined by a physician authorized by the 22 chair in accordance with sections thirteen-b and one hundred thirty-sev- 23 en of this chapter, at a medical facility convenient to the claimant and 24 in the presence of the claimant's physician, and refusal by the claimant 25 to submit to such [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination at such 26 time or times as may reasonably be necessary in the opinion of the 27 board, shall bar the claimant from recovering compensation for any peri- 28 od during which he or she has refused to submit to such examination. No 29 hospital shall be required to produce the records of any claimant with- 30 out receiving its customary fees or charges for reproduction of such 31 records. 32 (c) Where it would place an unreasonable burden upon the employer or 33 carrier to arrange for, or for the claimant to attend, an [independent] 34 ADVERSARIAL medical examination by an authorized physician, the employer 35 or carrier shall arrange for such examination to be performed by a qual- 36 ified physician in a medical facility convenient to the claimant. 37 (d) The [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examiner shall provide such 38 reports and shall submit to investigation as required by the chair. 39 (e) In order to qualify as admissible medical evidence, for purposes 40 of adjudicating any claim under this chapter, any report submitted to 41 the board by an [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examiner licensed by 42 the state of New York shall include the following: 43 (i) a signed statement certifying that the report is a full and truth- 44 ful representation of the [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examiner's 45 professional opinion with respect to the claimant's condition: 46 (ii) such examiner's board issued authorization number; 47 (iii) the name of the individual or entity requesting the examination; 48 (iv) if applicable, the registration number as required by section 49 thirteen-n of this article; and 50 (v) such other information as the chair may require by regulation. 51 Any report by an [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examiner who is not 52 authorized, and who performs an [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical exam- 53 ination in accordance with paragraph (c) of this subdivision, which is 54 to be used as medical evidence under this chapter, shall include in the 55 report such information as the chair may require by regulation. S. 5373 4 1 S 6. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 13-b of the workers' compensation 2 law, as amended by chapter 473 of the laws of 2000, are amended to read 3 as follows: 4 1. Upon the recommendation of the medical society of the county in 5 which the physician's office is located or of a board designated by such 6 county society or of a board representing duly licensed physicians of 7 any other school of medical practice in such county, the chair may 8 authorize physicians licensed to practice medicine in the state of New 9 York to render medical care under this chapter and to perform [independ- 10 ent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations in accordance with subdivision 11 four of section thirteen-a of this article. If, within sixty days after 12 the chair requests such recommendations the medical society of such 13 county or board fails to act, or if there is no such society in such 14 county, the chair shall designate a board of three outstanding physi- 15 cians, who shall make the requisite recommendations. 16 No such authorization shall be made in the absence of a recommendation 17 of the appropriate society or board or of a review and recommendation by 18 the medical appeals unit. No person shall render medical care or conduct 19 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations under this chapter with- 20 out such authorization by the chair, provided, that: 21 (a) Any physician licensed to practice medicine in the state of New 22 York may render emergency medical care under this chapter without 23 authorization by the chair under this section; and 24 (b) A licensed physician who is a member of a constituted medical 25 staff of any hospital may render medical care under this chapter while 26 an injured employee remains a patient in such hospital; and 27 (c) Under the active and personal supervision of an authorized physi- 28 cian medical care may be rendered by a registered nurse or other person 29 trained in laboratory or diagnostic techniques within the scope of such 30 person's specialized training and qualifications. This supervision shall 31 be evidenced by signed records of instructions for treatment and signed 32 records of the patient's condition and progress. Reports of such treat- 33 ment and supervision shall be made by such physician to the chair on 34 such forms and at such times as the chair may require. 35 (d) Upon the referral which may be directive as to treatment of an 36 authorized physician physical therapy care may be rendered by a duly 37 licensed physical therapist. Where physical therapy care is rendered 38 records of the patient's condition and progress, together with records 39 of instruction for treatment, if any, shall be maintained by the phys- 40 ical therapist and physician. Said records shall be submitted to the 41 chair on such forms and at such times as the chair may require. 42 (e) Upon the prescription or referral of an authorized physician occu- 43 pational therapy care may be rendered by a duly licensed occupational 44 therapist. Where occupational therapy care is rendered records of the 45 patient's condition and progress, together with records of instruction 46 for treatment, if any shall be maintained by the occupational therapist 47 and physician. Said records shall be submitted to the chair on forms and 48 at such times as the chair may require. 49 (f) Where it would place an unreasonable burden upon the employer or 50 carrier to arrange for, or for the claimant to attend, an [independent] 51 ADVERSARIAL medical examination by an authorized physician, the employer 52 or carrier shall arrange for such examination to be performed by a qual- 53 ified physician in a medical facility convenient to the claimant. 54 2. A physician licensed to practice medicine in the state of New York 55 who is desirous of being authorized to render medical care under this 56 chapter and/or to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations S. 5373 5 1 in accordance with paragraph (b) of subdivision four of section thir- 2 teen-a and section one hundred thirty-seven of this chapter shall file 3 an application for authorization under this chapter with the medical 4 society in the county in which his or her office is located, or with a 5 board designated by such society, or with a board designated by the 6 chair as provided in this section. In such application the applicant 7 shall state his or her training and qualifications, and shall agree to 8 limit his or her professional activities under this chapter to such 9 medical care and [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations, as his 10 or her experience and training qualify him or her to render. The appli- 11 cant shall further agree to refrain from subsequently treating for 12 remuneration, as a private patient, any person seeking medical treat- 13 ment, or submitting to an [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination, 14 in connection with, or as a result of, any injury compensable under this 15 chapter, if he or she has been removed from the list of physicians 16 authorized to render medical care or to conduct [independent] ADVER- 17 SARIAL medical examinations under this chapter, or if the person seeking 18 such treatment, or submitting to an [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical 19 examination, has been transferred from his or her care in accordance 20 with the provisions of this chapter. This agreement shall run to the 21 benefit of the injured person so treated or examined, and shall be 22 available to him or her as a defense in any action by such physician for 23 payment for treatment rendered by a physician after he or she has been 24 removed from the list of physicians authorized to render medical care or 25 to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations under this 26 chapter, or after the injured person was transferred from his or her 27 care in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The medical 28 society or the board designated by it, or the board as otherwise 29 provided under this section, if it deems such licensed physician duly 30 qualified, shall recommend to the chair that such physician be author- 31 ized to render medical care and/or conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL 32 medical examinations under this chapter, and such recommendation and 33 authorization shall specify the character of the medical care or [inde- 34 pendent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination which such physician is quali- 35 fied and authorized to render under this chapter. Such recommendations 36 shall be advisory to the chair only and shall not be binding or conclu- 37 sive upon him or her. The licensed physician may present to the medical 38 society or board, evidences of additional qualifications at any time 39 subsequent to his or her original application. If the medical society or 40 board fails to recommend to the chair that a physician be authorized to 41 render medical care and/or to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical 42 examinations under this chapter, the physician may appeal to the medical 43 appeals unit. The medical society or the board designated by it, or the 44 board as otherwise provided under this section, may upon its own initi- 45 ative, or shall upon request of the chair, review at any time the quali- 46 fications of any physician as to the character of the medical care or 47 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations which such physician has 48 theretofore been authorized to render under this chapter and may recom- 49 mend to the chair that such physician be authorized to render medical 50 care or to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations there- 51 after of the character which such physician is then qualified to render. 52 On such advisory recommendation the chair may review and after reason- 53 able investigation may revise the authorization of a physician in 54 respect to the character of medical care and/or to conduct [independent] 55 ADVERSARIAL medical examinations which he or she is authorized to 56 render. If the medical society or board recommends to the chair that a S. 5373 6 1 physician be authorized to render medical care and/or to conduct [inde- 2 pendent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations under this chapter of a char- 3 acter different from the character of medical care or [independent] 4 ADVERSARIAL medical examinations he or she has been theretofore author- 5 ized to render, such physician may appeal from such recommendation to 6 the medical appeals unit. 7 S 7. The section heading and the opening paragraph and paragraphs (b) 8 and (g) of subdivision 2 of section 13-d of the workers' compensation 9 law, the section heading, the opening paragraph and paragraph (g) of 10 subdivision 2, as amended by chapter 473 of the laws of 2000, paragraph 11 (b) of subdivision 2, as amended by chapter 6 of the laws of 2007, are 12 amended to read as follows: 13 Removal of physicians from lists of those authorized to render medical 14 care or to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations. 15 The chair shall remove from the list of physicians authorized to 16 render medical care under this chapter, or to conduct [independent] 17 ADVERSARIAL medical examinations in accordance with paragraph (b) of 18 subdivision four of section thirteen-a of this article, the name of any 19 physician who he or she shall find after reasonable investigation is 20 disqualified because such physician: 21 (b) has exceeded the limits of his or her professional competence in 22 rendering medical care or in conducting [independent] ADVERSARIAL 23 medical examinations under the law, or has made materially false state- 24 ments regarding his or her qualifications in his or her application for 25 the recommendation of the medical society or board as provided in 26 section thirteen-b of this article; or 27 (g) has directly or indirectly requested, received or participated in 28 the division, transference, assignment, rebating, splitting or refunding 29 of a fee for, or has directly or indirectly requested, received or prof- 30 ited by means of a credit or other valuable consideration as a commis- 31 sion, discount or gratuity in connection with the furnishing of medical 32 or surgical care, an [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination, 33 diagnosis or treatment or service, including X-ray examination and 34 treatment, or for or in connection with the sale, rental, supplying or 35 furnishing of clinical laboratory services or supplies, X-ray laboratory 36 services or supplies, inhalation therapy service or equipment, ambulance 37 service, hospital or medical supplies, physiotherapy or other therapeu- 38 tic service or equipment, artificial limbs, teeth or eyes, orthopedic or 39 surgical appliances or supplies, optical appliances, supplies or equip- 40 ment, devices for aid of hearing, drugs, medication or medical supplies, 41 or any other goods, services or supplies prescribed for medical diagno- 42 sis, care or treatment, under this chapter; except that reasonable 43 payment, not exceeding the technical component fee permitted in the 44 medical fee schedule, established under this chapter for X-ray examina- 45 tions, diagnosis or treatment, may be made by a physician duly author- 46 ized as a roentgenologist to any hospital furnishing facilities and 47 equipment for such examination, diagnosis or treatment, provided such 48 hospital does not also submit a charge for the same services. Nothing 49 contained in this paragraph shall prohibit such physicians who practice 50 as partners, in groups or as a professional corporation or as a univer- 51 sity faculty practice corporation from pooling fees and moneys received, 52 either by the partnership, professional corporation, university faculty 53 practice corporation or group by the individual members thereof, for 54 professional services furnished by any individual professional member, 55 or employee of such partnership, corporation or group, nor shall the 56 professionals constituting the partnerships, corporations, or groups be S. 5373 7 1 prohibited from sharing, dividing or apportioning the fees and moneys 2 received by them or by the partnership, corporation or group in accord- 3 ance with a partnership or other agreement. 4 S 8. Subdivisions 2 and 3, and the opening paragraph and paragraph (g) 5 of subdivision 10 of section 13-k of the workers' compensation law, as 6 amended by chapter 473 of the laws of 2000, are amended to read as 7 follows: 8 2. An employee injured under circumstances which make such injury 9 compensable under this article, when care is required for an injury to 10 the foot which injury or resultant condition therefrom may lawfully be 11 treated by a duly registered and licensed podiatrist of the state of New 12 York, may select to treat him or her any podiatrist authorized by the 13 chair to render podiatry care, as hereinafter provided. If the injury or 14 condition is one which is without the limits prescribed by the education 15 law for podiatry care and treatment, or the injuries involved affect 16 other parts of the body in addition to the foot, the said podiatrist 17 must so advise the said injured employee and instruct him or her to 18 consult a physician of said employee's choice for appropriate care and 19 treatment. Such physician shall thenceforth have overall supervision of 20 the treatment of said patient including the future treatment to be 21 administered to the patient by the podiatrist. If for any reason during 22 the period when podiatry treatment and care is required, the employee 23 wishes to transfer his or her treatment and care to another authorized 24 podiatrist he or she may do so, in accordance with rules prescribed by 25 the chair, provided however that the employer shall be liable for the 26 proper fees of the original podiatrist for the care and treatment he or 27 she shall have rendered. A podiatrist licensed and registered to prac- 28 tice podiatry in the state of New York who is desirous of being author- 29 ized to render podiatry care under this section and/or to conduct [inde- 30 pendent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations in accordance with paragraph 31 (b) of subdivision three of this section shall file an application for 32 authorization under this section with the podiatry practice committee. 33 In such application he or she shall agree to refrain from subsequently 34 treating for remuneration, as a private patient, any person seeking 35 podiatry treatment, or submitting to an [independent] ADVERSARIAL 36 medical examination, in connection with, or as a result of, any injury 37 compensable under this chapter, if he or she has been removed from the 38 list of podiatrists authorized to render podiatry care or to conduct 39 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations under this chapter, or if 40 the person seeking such treatment has been transferred from his or her 41 care in accordance with the provisions of this section. This agreement 42 shall run to the benefit of the injured person so treated or examined, 43 and shall be available to him or her as a defense in any action by such 44 podiatrist for payment for treatment rendered by a podiatrist after he 45 or she has been removed from the list of podiatrists authorized to 46 render podiatry care or to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical 47 examinations under this section, or after the injured person was trans- 48 ferred from his or her care in accordance with the provisions of this 49 section. The podiatry practice committee if it deems such licensed 50 podiatrist duly qualified shall recommend to the chair that such podia- 51 trist be authorized to render podiatry care and/or to conduct [independ- 52 ent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations under this section. Such recommen- 53 dation shall be advisory to the chair only and shall not be binding or 54 conclusive upon him or her. The chair shall prepare and establish a 55 schedule for the state, or schedules limited to defined localities, of 56 charges and fees for podiatry treatment and care, to be determined in S. 5373 8 1 accordance with and to be subject to change pursuant to rules promulgat- 2 ed by the chair. Before preparing such schedule for the state or sched- 3 ules for limited localities the chair shall request the podiatry prac- 4 tice committee to submit to him or her a report on the amount of 5 remuneration deemed by such committee to be fair and adequate for the 6 types of podiatry care to be rendered under this chapter, but consider- 7 ation shall be given to the view of other interested parties. The 8 amounts payable by the employer for such treatment and services shall be 9 the fees and charges established by such schedule. 10 3. (a) No claim for podiatry care or treatment shall be valid and 11 enforceable as against the employer or employee unless within forty- 12 eight hours following the first treatment the podiatrist giving such 13 care or treatment furnish to the employer and directly to the chair a 14 preliminary notice of such injury and treatment, within fifteen days 15 thereafter a more complete report and subsequent thereto progress 16 reports as requested in writing by the chair, board, employer or insur- 17 ance carrier, at intervals of not less than three weeks apart or at less 18 frequent intervals if requested on forms prescribed by the chair. The 19 board may excuse the failure to give such notices within the designated 20 periods when it finds it to be in the interest of justice to do so. 21 (b) Upon receipt of the notice provided for by paragraph (a) of this 22 subdivision, the employer, the carrier and the claimant each shall be 23 entitled to have the claimant examined by a qualified podiatrist author- 24 ized by the chair in accordance with subdivision two of this section and 25 section one hundred thirty-seven of this chapter, at a medical facility 26 convenient to the claimant and in the presence of the claimant's podia- 27 trist, and refusal by the claimant to submit to such [independent] 28 ADVERSARIAL medical examination at such time or times as may reasonably 29 be necessary in the opinion of the board shall bar the claimant from 30 recovering compensation for any period during which he or she has 31 refused to submit to such examination. 32 (c) Where it would place an unreasonable burden upon the employer or 33 carrier to arrange for, or for the claimant to attend, an [independent] 34 ADVERSARIAL medical examination by an authorized podiatrist, the employ- 35 er or carrier shall arrange for such examination to be performed by a 36 qualified podiatrist in a medical facility convenient to the claimant. 37 (d) The [independent] ADVERSARIAL podiatric examiner shall provide 38 such reports and shall submit to investigation as required by the chair. 39 (e) In order to qualify as admissible medical evidence, for purposes 40 of adjudicating any claim under this chapter, any report submitted to 41 the board by an [independent] ADVERSARIAL podiatric examiner licensed by 42 the state of New York shall include the following: 43 (i) a signed statement certifying that the report is a full and truth- 44 ful representation of the [independent] ADVERSARIAL podiatric examiner's 45 professional opinion with respect to the claimant's condition, 46 (ii) such examiner's board issued authorization number, 47 (iii) the name of the individual or entity requesting the examination, 48 (iv) if applicable, the registration number as required by section 49 thirteen-n of this article, and 50 (v) such other information as the chair may require by regulation. 51 The podiatry practice committee shall investigate, hear and make find- 52 ings with respect to all charges as to professional or other misconduct 53 of any authorized podiatrist as herein provided under rules and proce- 54 dures to be prescribed by the chair and shall report evidence of such 55 misconduct, with their findings and recommendation with respect thereto, 56 to the chair. The findings, decision and recommendation of such podiatry S. 5373 9 1 practice committee shall be advisory to the chair only, and shall not be 2 binding or conclusive upon him or her. The chair shall remove from the 3 list of podiatrists authorized to render podiatry care under this chap- 4 ter or to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations in 5 accordance with paragraph (b) of subdivision three of this section the 6 name of any podiatrist who he or she shall find after reasonable inves- 7 tigation is disqualified because such podiatrist 8 (g) has directly or indirectly requested, received or participated in 9 the division, transference, assignment, rebating, splitting or refunding 10 of a fee for, or has directly or indirectly requested, received or prof- 11 ited by means of a credit or other valuable consideration as a commis- 12 sion, discount or gratuity in connection with the treatment, or [inde- 13 pendent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination, of a workers' compensation 14 claimant. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall prohibit such 15 podiatrists who practice as partners, in groups or as a professional 16 corporation from pooling fees and moneys received, either by the part- 17 nership, professional corporation or group by the individual members 18 thereof, for professional services furnished by any individual profes- 19 sional member, or employee of such partnership, corporation or group, 20 nor shall the professionals constituting the partnership, corporation, 21 or group be prohibited from sharing, dividing or apportioning the fees 22 and moneys received by them or by the partnership, corporation or group 23 in accordance with a partnership or other agreement. 24 S 9. Subdivisions 2 and 3, and the opening paragraph and paragraph (g) 25 of subdivision 10 of section 13-l of the workers' compensation law, as 26 amended by chapter 473 of the laws of 2000, are amended to read as 27 follows: 28 2. An employee injured under circumstances which make such injury 29 compensable under this article, when care is required for an injury 30 which consists solely of a condition which may lawfully be treated by a 31 chiropractor as defined in section sixty-five hundred fifty-one of the 32 education law may select to treat him or her, any duly registered and 33 licensed chiropractor of the state of New York, authorized by the chair 34 to render chiropractic care as hereinafter provided. If the injury or 35 condition is one which is outside the limits prescribed by the education 36 law for chiropractic care and treatment, the said chiropractor must so 37 advise the said injured employee and instruct him or her to consult a 38 physician of said employee's choice for appropriate care and treatment. 39 Such physician shall thenceforth have supervision of the treatment of 40 said condition including the future treatment to be administered to the 41 patient by the chiropractor. A chiropractor licensed and registered to 42 practice chiropractic in the state of New York, who is desirous of being 43 authorized to render chiropractic care under this section and/or to 44 conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations in accordance 45 with paragraph (b) of subdivision three of this section shall file an 46 application for authorization under this section with the chiropractic 47 practice committee. In such application he or she shall agree to refrain 48 from subsequently treating for remuneration, as a private patient, any 49 person seeking chiropractic treatment, or submitting to an [independent] 50 ADVERSARIAL medical examination, in connection with, or as a result of, 51 any injury compensable under this chapter, if he or she has been removed 52 from the list of chiropractors authorized to render chiropractic care or 53 to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations under this 54 chapter, or if the person seeking such treatment has been transferred 55 from his or her care in accordance with the provisions of this section. 56 This agreement shall run to the benefit of the injured person so treat- S. 5373 10 1 ed, or examined, and shall be available to him or her as a defense in 2 any action by such chiropractor for payment rendered by a chiropractor 3 after he or she has been removed from the list of chiropractors author- 4 ized to render chiropractic care or to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL 5 medical examinations under this section, or after the injured person was 6 transferred from his or her care in accordance with the provisions of 7 this section. The chiropractic practice committee if it deems such 8 licensed chiropractor duly qualified shall recommend to the chair that 9 such be authorized to render chiropractic care and/or to conduct [inde- 10 pendent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations under this section. Such 11 recommendations shall be advisory to the chair only and shall not be 12 binding or conclusive upon him or her. The chair shall prepare and 13 establish a schedule for the state, or schedules limited to defined 14 localities of charges and fees for chiropractic treatment and care, to 15 be determined in accordance with and to be subject to change pursuant to 16 rules promulgated by the chair. Before preparing such schedule for the 17 state or schedules for limited localities the chair shall request the 18 chiropractic practice committee to submit to him or her a report on the 19 amount of remuneration deemed by such committee to be fair and adequate 20 for the types of chiropractic care to be rendered under this chapter, 21 but consideration shall be given to the view of other interested 22 parties, the amounts payable by the employer for such treatment and 23 services shall be the fees and charges established by such schedule. 24 3. (a) No claim for chiropractic care or treatment shall be valid and 25 enforceable as against the employer or employees unless within forty- 26 eight hours following the first treatment the chiropractor giving such 27 care or treatment furnishes to the employer and directly to the chair a 28 preliminary notice of such injury and treatment, and within fifteen days 29 thereafter a more complete report and subsequent thereto progress 30 reports as requested in writing by the chair, board, employer or insur- 31 ance carrier, at intervals of not less than three weeks apart or at less 32 frequent intervals if requested on forms prescribed by the chair. The 33 board may excuse the failure to give such notices within the designated 34 periods when it finds it to be in the interest of justice to do so. 35 (b) Upon receipt of the notice provided for by paragraph (a) of this 36 subdivision, the employer, the carrier, and the claimant each shall be 37 entitled to have the claimant examined by a qualified chiropractor 38 authorized by the chair in accordance with subdivision two of this 39 section and section one hundred thirty-seven of this chapter at a 40 medical facility convenient to the claimant and in the presence of the 41 claimant's chiropractor, and refusal by the claimant to submit to such 42 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination at such time or times as 43 may reasonably be necessary in the opinion of the board shall bar the 44 claimant from recovering compensation, for any period during which he or 45 she has refused to submit to such examination. 46 (c) Where it would place an unreasonable burden upon the employer or 47 carrier to arrange for, or for the claimant to attend, an [independent] 48 ADVERSARIAL medical examination by an authorized chiropractor, the 49 employer or carrier shall arrange for such examination to be performed 50 by a qualified chiropractor in a medical facility convenient to the 51 claimant. 52 (d) The [independent] ADVERSARIAL chiropractic examiner shall provide 53 such reports and shall submit to investigation as required by the chair. 54 (e) In order to qualify as admissible chiropractic evidence, for 55 purposes of adjudicating any claim under this chapter, any report S. 5373 11 1 submitted to the board by an [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examiner 2 licensed by the state of New York shall include the following: 3 (i) a signed statement certifying that the report is a full and truth- 4 ful representation of the [independent] ADVERSARIAL chiropractic examin- 5 er's professional opinion with respect to the claimant's condition, 6 (ii) such examiner's board issued authorization number, 7 (iii) the name of the individual or entity requesting the examination, 8 (iv) if applicable, the registration number as required by section 9 thirteen-n of this article, and 10 (v) such other information as the chair may require by regulation. 11 The chiropractic practice committee shall investigate, hear and make 12 findings with respect to all charges as to professional or other miscon- 13 duct of any authorized chiropractor as herein provided under rules and 14 procedure to be prescribed by the chair and shall report evidence of 15 such misconduct, with their findings and recommendations with respect 16 thereto, to the chair. The findings, decision and recommendation of such 17 chiropractic practice committee shall be advisory to the chair only, and 18 shall not be binding or conclusive upon him or her. The chair shall 19 remove from the list of chiropractors authorized to render chiropractic 20 care under this chapter or to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical 21 examinations in accordance with paragraph (b) of subdivision three of 22 this section the name of any chiropractor who he or she shall find after 23 reasonable investigation is disqualified because such chiropractor, 24 (g) has directly or indirectly requested, received or participated in 25 the division, transference, assignment, rebating, splitting or refunding 26 of a fee for, or has directly or indirectly requested, received or prof- 27 ited by means of a credit or otherwise valuable consideration as a 28 commission, discount or gratuity, in connection with the treatment, or 29 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination, of a workers' compen- 30 sation claimant. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall prohibit 31 such chiropractors who practice as partners, in groups or as a profes- 32 sional corporation, or as a university faculty practice corporation from 33 pooling fees and moneys received, either by the partnership, profes- 34 sional corporation, university faculty practice corporation or group by 35 the individual members thereof, for professional services furnished by 36 any individual professional member, or employee of such partnership, 37 corporation or group, nor shall the professionals constituting the part- 38 nership, corporation, or group be prohibited from sharing, dividing or 39 apportioning the fees and moneys received by them or by the partnership, 40 corporation or group in accordance with a partnership or other agree- 41 ment. 42 S 10. Subdivisions 3 and 4 and the opening paragraph of subdivision 11 43 of section 13-m of the workers' compensation law, as amended by chapter 44 473 of the laws of 2000, are amended to read as follows: 45 3. A psychologist, licensed and registered to practice psychology in 46 the state of New York, who is desirous of being authorized to render 47 psychological care under this section and/or to conduct [independent] 48 ADVERSARIAL medical examinations in accordance with paragraph (b) of 49 subdivision four of this section shall file an application for authori- 50 zation under this section with the psychology practice committee. The 51 applicant shall agree to refrain from subsequently treating for remuner- 52 ation, as a private patient, any person seeking psychological treatment, 53 or submitting to an [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination, in 54 connection with, or as a result of, any injury compensable under this 55 chapter, if he or she has been removed from the list of psychologists 56 authorized to render psychological care under this chapter. This agree- S. 5373 12 1 ment shall run to the benefit of the injured person so treated, and 2 shall be available as a defense in any action by such psychologist for 3 payment for treatment rendered by such psychologist after being removed 4 from the list of psychologists authorized to render psychological care 5 or to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations under this 6 section. The psychology practice committee if it deems such licensed 7 psychologist duly qualified shall recommend to the chair that such 8 person be authorized to render psychological care and/or to conduct 9 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations under this section. Such 10 recommendations shall be only advisory to the chair and shall not be 11 binding or conclusive. The chair shall prepare and establish a schedule 12 for the state or schedules limited to defined localities of charges and 13 fees for psychological treatment and care, to be determined in accord- 14 ance with and be subject to change pursuant to rules promulgated by the 15 chair. Before preparing such schedule for the state or schedules for 16 limited localities the chair shall request the psychology practice 17 committee to submit to such chair a report on the amount of remuneration 18 deemed by such committee to be fair and adequate for the types of 19 psychological care to be rendered under this chapter, but consideration 20 shall be given to the view of other interested parties. The amounts 21 payable by the employer for such treatment and services shall be the 22 fees and charges established by such schedule. 23 4. (a) No claim for psychological care or treatment shall be valid and 24 enforceable as against the employer or employees unless within forty- 25 eight hours following the first treatment the psychologist giving such 26 care or treatment furnishes to the employer and directly to the chair a 27 preliminary notice of such injury and treatment, and within fifteen days 28 thereafter a more complete report and subsequent thereto progress 29 reports as requested in writing by the chair, board, employer or insur- 30 ance carrier, at intervals of not less than three weeks apart or at less 31 frequent intervals if requested on forms prescribed by the chair. The 32 board may excuse the failure to give such notices within the designated 33 periods when it finds it to be in the interest of justice to do so. 34 (b) Upon receipt of the notice provided for by paragraph (a) of this 35 subdivision, the employer, the carrier, and the claimant each shall be 36 entitled to have the claimant examined by a qualified psychologist, 37 authorized by the chair in accordance with subdivision three of this 38 section and section one hundred thirty-seven of this chapter, at a 39 medical facility convenient to the claimant and in the presence of the 40 claimant's psychologist, and refusal by the claimant to submit to such 41 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination at such time or times as 42 may reasonably be necessary in the opinion of the board shall bar the 43 claimant from recovering compensation, for any period during which he or 44 she has refused to submit to such examination. 45 (c) Where it would place an unreasonable burden upon the employer or 46 carrier to arrange for, or for the claimant to attend, an [independent] 47 ADVERSARIAL medical examination by an authorized psychologist, the 48 employer or carrier shall arrange for such examination to be performed 49 by a qualified psychologist in a medical facility convenient to the 50 claimant. 51 (d) The [independent] ADVERSARIAL psychological examiner licensed by 52 the state of New York shall provide such reports and shall submit to 53 investigation as required by the chair. 54 (e) In order to qualify as admissible medical evidence, for purposes 55 of adjudicating any claim under this chapter, any report submitted to S. 5373 13 1 the board by an [independent] ADVERSARIAL psychological examiner 2 licensed by the state of New York shall include the following: 3 (i) a signed statement certifying that the report is a full and truth- 4 ful representation of the [independent] ADVERSARIAL psychological exam- 5 iner's professional opinion with respect to the claimant's condition, 6 (ii) such examiner's board issued authorization number, 7 (iii) the name of the individual or entity requesting the examination, 8 (iv) if applicable, the registration number as required by section 9 thirteen-n of this article, and 10 (v) such other information as the chair may require by regulation. 11 The psychology practice committee shall investigate, hear and make 12 findings with respect to all charges as to professional or other miscon- 13 duct of any authorized psychologist as herein provided under rules and 14 procedures to be prescribed by the chair and shall report evidence of 15 such misconduct, with their findings and recommendations with respect 16 thereto, to the chair. The findings, decision and recommendation of such 17 psychology practice committee shall be advisory to the chair only, and 18 shall not be binding or conclusive upon him or her. The chair shall 19 remove from the list of psychologists authorized to render psychological 20 care under this chapter or to conduct [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical 21 examinations in accordance with paragraph (b) of subdivision four of 22 this section the name of any psychologist who he or she shall find after 23 reasonable investigation is disqualified because such psychologist: 24 S 11. Section 13-n of the workers' compensation law, as added by chap- 25 ter 473 of the laws of 2000 and subdivision 3 as added by chapter 6 of 26 the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows: 27 S 13-n. Mandatory registration of entities which derive income from 28 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations. 1. Any entity which 29 derives income from [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations 30 performed in accordance with subdivision four of section thirteen-a, 31 subdivision three of section thirteen-k, subdivision three of section 32 thirteen-1 and subdivision four of section thirteen-m of this article, 33 whether by employing or contracting with [independent] ADVERSARIAL exam- 34 iners to conduct such [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations or 35 by acting as a referral service or otherwise facilitating such examina- 36 tions, shall register with the chair by filing a statement of registra- 37 tion containing such information prescribed by the chair in regulation. 38 A fee may be imposed in accordance with regulations promulgated by the 39 chair. Any such fees collected shall be used for the purpose of adminis- 40 tering this section. 41 2. The chair shall assign a registration number to the entity upon 42 registration. If an entity operates under more than one name, or in more 43 than one location, the chair may assign a series of registration numbers 44 which would differentiate each such sub-entity. In order to qualify as 45 admissible medical evidence, for purposes of adjudicating any claim 46 under this chapter, any report submitted to the board by an [independ- 47 ent] ADVERSARIAL medical examiner who is employed by, or has contracted 48 with, an entity as described in subdivision one of this section for the 49 purpose of performing [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations, 50 must include the registration number of such entity. 51 3. The chair, upon finding that an entity that derives income from 52 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations has materially altered an 53 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination report, or caused such a 54 report to be materially altered, may revoke the registration of such 55 entity, impose a penalty not exceeding ten thousand dollars and refer 56 the matter to the attorney general for prosecution. S. 5373 14 1 S 12. Section 137 of the workers' compensation law, as added by chap- 2 ter 473 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows: 3 S 137. [Independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations. 1. (a) A copy 4 of each report of [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination shall be 5 submitted by the practitioner on the same day and in the same manner to 6 the board, the insurance carrier, the claimant's attending physician or 7 other attending practitioner, the claimant's representative and the 8 claimant. 9 (b) If a practitioner who has performed or will be performing an 10 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination of a claimant receives a 11 request for information regarding the claimant, including faxed or elec- 12 tronically transmitted requests, the practitioner shall submit a copy of 13 the request for information to the board within ten days of receipt of 14 the request. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to abrogate 15 the attorney-client privilege. 16 (c) Copies of all responses to such requests for information as are 17 described in paragraph (b) of this subdivision, including all materials 18 which are provided in response to such a request, shall be submitted by 19 the responding practitioner to the board within ten days of submission 20 of the response to the requestor. Nothing in this subdivision shall be 21 construed to abrogate the attorney-client privilege. 22 2. In any open case where an award has been directed by the board for 23 temporary or permanent disability at an established rate of compensation 24 and there is a direction by the board for continuation of payments, or 25 any closed case where an award for compensation has been made for perma- 26 nent total or permanent partial disability, a report of an [independent] 27 ADVERSARIAL medical examination shall not be the basis for suspending or 28 reducing payments unless and until the rules and regulations of the 29 board regarding suspending or reducing payments have been met and there 30 is a determination by the board finding that such suspension or 31 reduction is justified. 32 3. (a) Only a New York state licensed and board certified physician, 33 surgeon, podiatrist or any other person authorized to examine or evalu- 34 ate injury or illness by the board shall perform such [independent] 35 ADVERSARIAL medical examination. Where a claimant resides out of state a 36 practitioner qualified to examine or evaluate injury or illness by the 37 board shall perform such [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination. 38 (b) Any practitioner performing the [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical 39 examinations shall be paid according to the fee schedule established 40 pursuant to section thirteen of this chapter. 41 4. All [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations shall be 42 performed in medical facilities suitable for such exam, with due regard 43 and respect for the privacy and dignity of the injured worker as well as 44 the access and safety of the claimant. Such facilities must be provided 45 in a convenient and accessible location within a reasonable distance 46 from the claimant's residence. 47 5. All [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations shall be 48 performed by a practitioner competent to evaluate or examine the injury 49 or disease from which the injured worker suffers. Such examination shall 50 be performed by a practitioner who is licensed and board certified in 51 the state of New York or any other person authorized to examine or eval- 52 uate injury or illness by the board. 53 6. No practitioner examining or evaluating a claimant under this chap- 54 ter nor any supervising authority or proprietor nor insurance carrier or 55 employer may cause, direct or encourage a report to be submitted as 56 evidence in workers' compensation claim adjudication which differs S. 5373 15 1 substantially from the professional opinion of the examining practition- 2 er. Such an action shall be considered within the jurisdiction of the 3 workers' compensation fraud inspector general and may be referred as a 4 fraudulent practice. 5 7. The claimant shall receive notice by mail of the scheduled [inde- 6 pendent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination at least seven business days 7 prior to such examination. Such notice shall advise the claimant if the 8 practitioner intends to record or video tape the examination, and shall 9 advise the claimant of their right to video tape or otherwise record the 10 examination. Claimants shall be advised of their right to be accompanied 11 during the exam by an individual or individuals of their choosing. 12 8. [Independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examinations shall be performed 13 during regular business hours except with the consent and for the 14 convenience of the claimant. Claimants subject to such examination shall 15 be notified at the time of the exam in writing of the available travel 16 reimbursement under law. 17 9. A practitioner is not eligible to perform an [independent] ADVER- 18 SARIAL medical examination of a claimant if the practitioner has treated 19 or examined the claimant for the condition for which the [independent] 20 ADVERSARIAL medical examination is being requested or if another member 21 of a preferred provider organization or managed care provider to which 22 the practitioner belongs has treated or examined the claimant for the 23 condition for which the [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination is 24 being requested. 25 10. The ability of a claimant to appear for an exam or hearing shall 26 not be dispositive in the determination of disability, extent of disa- 27 bility or eligibility for benefits. 28 11. At the time of the [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination 29 the claimant shall receive a notice from the entity performing the 30 [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination, on a form which shall be 31 approved and promulgated by the chair, stating the rights and obli- 32 gations of the claimant and the practitioner with respect to such exam, 33 and such notice shall include but not be limited to a statement that the 34 claimant's receipt of benefits could be denied, terminated, or reduced 35 as a result of a determination which may be based upon the medical eval- 36 uation made after such [independent] ADVERSARIAL medical examination, 37 and the claimant's rights to challenge or appeal such a determination. 38 S 13. Subdivisions 1, 2 and 3 of section 50-h of the general municipal 39 law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 24 of the laws of 1988, subdi- 40 vision 2 as amended by chapter 254 of the laws of 1990 and subdivision 3 41 as added by chapter 393 of the laws of 1958, are amended to read as 42 follows: 43 1. Wherever a notice of claim is filed against a city, county, town, 44 village, fire district, ambulance district [or], school district OR 45 PUBLIC AUTHORITY the city, county, town, village, fire district, ambu- 46 lance district [or], school district OR PUBLIC AUTHORITY shall have the 47 right to demand an examination of the claimant relative to the occur- 48 rence and extent of the injuries or damages for which claim is made, 49 which examination shall be upon oral questions unless the parties other- 50 wise stipulate and may include [a physical] AN ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL exam- 51 ination of the claimant by a duly qualified physician. If the party to 52 be examined desires, he or she is entitled to have such examination in 53 the presence of his or her own personal physician and such relative or 54 other person as he or she may elect. THE PERSON SUBJECT TO THE ADVER- 55 SARIAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ANY DOCU- 56 MENTS OR SUPPLY ANY WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS PUT TO HIM OR HER AT S. 5373 16 1 SUCH ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION. Exercise of the right to demand a 2 physical examination of the claimant as provided in this section shall 3 in no way affect the right of a city, county, town, village, fire 4 district, ambulance district [or], school district OR PUBLIC AUTHORITY 5 in a subsequent action brought upon the claim to demand [a physical] AN 6 ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination of the plaintiff pursuant to statute or 7 court rule. 8 2. The demand for examination as provided in subdivision one of this 9 section shall be made by the chief executive officer or, where there is 10 no such officer, by the chairman of the governing body of the city, 11 county, town, village, fire district [or], school district OR PUBLIC 12 AUTHORITY or by such officer, agent or employee as may be designated by 13 him OR HER for that purpose. The demand shall be in writing and shall 14 be served personally or by registered or certified mail upon the claim- 15 ant unless the claimant is represented by an attorney, when it shall be 16 served personally or by mail upon his OR HER attorney. The demand shall 17 give reasonable notice of the examination. It shall state the person 18 before whom the examination is to be held, the time, place and subject 19 matter thereof and, if [a physical] AN ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination 20 is to be required, it shall so state. If the place of examination is 21 located outside the municipality against which the claim is made, the 22 claimant may demand, within ten days of such service, that the examina- 23 tion be held at a location within such municipality. Such location shall 24 be determined by the municipality. If [a physical] AN ADVERSARIAL 25 MEDICAL examination is to be required and there is no appropriate place 26 for such an examination within the municipality, such examination shall 27 be given at a location as close to such municipality as practicable. No 28 demand for examination shall be effective against the claimant for any 29 purpose unless it shall be served as provided in this subdivision within 30 ninety days from the date of filing of the notice of claim. 31 3. In any examination required pursuant to the provisions of this 32 section the claimant shall have the right to be represented by counsel. 33 The examination shall be conducted upon oath or affirmation. The officer 34 or person before whom the examination is had shall take down or cause to 35 be taken down every question and answer unless the parties consent that 36 only the substance of the testimony be inserted. The testimony so taken, 37 together with the report of the examining physician where [a physical] 38 AN ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination is required, shall constitute the 39 record of the examination. The transcript of the record of an examina- 40 tion shall not be subject to or available for public inspection, except 41 upon court order upon good cause shown, but shall be furnished to the 42 claimant or his OR HER attorney upon request. 43 S 14. Subdivisions 1, 2 and 3 of section 17-a of the court of claims 44 act, as added by chapter 189 of the laws of 1990, are amended to read as 45 follows: 46 1. Wherever a notice of intention to file a claim is served, the 47 defendant shall have the right to demand an examination of the claimant 48 relative to the occurrence and extent of the injuries or damages for 49 which claim is made, which examination shall be upon oral questions 50 unless the parties otherwise stipulate and may include [a physical] AN 51 ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination of the claimant by a duly qualified 52 physician. If the party to be examined desires, he or she is entitled to 53 have such [physical] AN ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination in the presence 54 of his or her own personal physician and such relative or other person 55 as he or she may elect. Exercise of the right to demand [a physical] AN 56 ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination of the claimant as provided in this S. 5373 17 1 section shall in no way affect the right of a defendant in a subsequent 2 claim brought upon the notice of intention to file a claim to demand [a 3 physical] AN ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination of the claimant pursuant to 4 statute or court rule. 5 2. The demand for examination as provided in subdivision one of this 6 section shall be made by the attorney for the defendant or by such offi- 7 cer, agent or employee as may be designated by him for that purpose. The 8 demand shall be in writing and shall be served personally or by regis- 9 tered or certified mail upon the claimant unless the claimant is repres- 10 ented by an attorney, when it shall be served personally or by mail upon 11 his or her attorney. The demand shall give reasonable notice of the 12 examination. It shall state the person before whom the examination is to 13 be held, the time, place and subject matter thereof and, if [a physical] 14 AN ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination is to be required, it shall so state. 15 No demand for examination shall be effective against the claimant for 16 any purpose unless it shall be served as provided in this subdivision 17 within ninety days from the date of service of the notice of intention 18 to file a claim. 19 3. In any examination required pursuant to the provisions of this 20 section the claimant shall have the right to be represented by counsel. 21 The examination shall be conducted upon oath or affirmation. The officer 22 or person before whom the examination is held shall take down or cause 23 to be taken down every question and answer unless the parties consent 24 that only the substance of the testimony be inserted. The testimony so 25 taken, together with the report of the examining physician where [a 26 physical] AN ADVERSARIAL MEDICAL examination is required, shall consti- 27 tute the record of the examination. The transcript of the record of an 28 examination, including a copy of the report of the examining physician 29 shall not be subject to or available for public inspection, except upon 30 court order upon good cause shown, but shall be furnished to the claim- 31 ant or his or her attorney upon request. 32 S 15. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to all 33 currently pending actions and proceedings, and to proceedings commenced 34 subsequent to such date.