Bill Text: NY S04763 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced


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: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-08 - REFERRED TO LABOR [S04763 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-S04763-Introduced.html


                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
                                          4763
                               2019-2020 Regular Sessions
                    IN SENATE
                                     March 25, 2019
                                       ___________
        Introduced  by  Sen.  RANZENHOFER -- read twice and ordered printed, and
          when printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor
        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:
    20    a. the determination of the feasibility  of  implementation  of  tele-
    21  health  for  medical exams for workers' compensation claims that ensures
    22  injured workers protection and access to quality care;
         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD03941-01-9

        S. 4763                             2
     1    b. the ability to diagnose through telehealth and  remain  within  the
     2  treatment guidelines set by the workers' compensation board;
     3    c. the cost impact on employers;
     4    d. the ability to prevent fraud; and
     5    e.  any  other  related  information that the chairman of the workers'
     6  compensation board may deem necessary or relevant in carrying  out  this
     7  study.
     8    §  3. a.  The task force shall consist of 7 members to be appointed as
     9  follows:
    10    (1) 3 members appointed by the governor;
    11    (2) 2 members appointed by the temporary president of the senate; and
    12    (3) 2 members appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
    13    b. The governor shall designate one of his or her  appointees  as  the
    14  chair of the task force.
    15    c. The members of the task force shall be composed of individuals with
    16  expertise  in  the  workers' compensation system and/or the provision of
    17  health care services by telehealth.
    18    d. The members of the task force shall  receive  no  compensation  for
    19  their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
    20  incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
    21    §  4.  The  task  force  shall make a report to the legislature of its
    22  findings, conclusions and recommendations on or before January 1, 2020.
    23    § 5. This act shall take effect immediately, and shall expire  and  be
    24  deemed repealed February 1, 2020.
feedback