Allows for reasonable accommodations for the examination portion of licensure requirements to become a social worker for individuals for whom English is not their primary language and a test in their primary language is not available.
Requires any regulation that mandates prior authorization to establish a mechanism for submission of requests for prior authorization by health care providers directly to the medical indemnity fund; requires the medical indemnity fund administrator to notify qualified plaintiffs which costs are qualifying health care costs to be paid from the fund and which are not within a reasonably prompt period of time.
This bill requires large group health insurance plans to cover the cost of hearing aids when medically necessary, directly affecting insured individuals with hearing loss. Insurers must cover hearing aids dispensed by registered audiologists or hearing aid dispensers after a medical evaluation, with a $2,500 annual limit per ear every 36 months. The law prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on hearing aid brand, style, or circuit type and mandates in-network provider coverage. It applies to all relevant policies issued or renewed after its effective date (January 1 following enactment).
This bill adds coverage for remotely connected insulin pens under New York's medical assistance pharmacy benefit. It covers eligible patients with diabetes aged seven or older (with adult supervision for younger patients) using these devices with prescribed insulin cartridges. The cost of this coverage, including administration, must be included in managed care organization premiums. This ensures patients can access these devices without additional out-of-pocket costs through their existing pharmacy benefit.
This bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover substance abuse treatment for at least 45 days, both inpatient and outpatient. It prohibits insurers from applying stricter financial requirements or treatment limits to substance abuse care than those used for other medical conditions. Coverage must include unlimited medically necessary treatment in residential settings for inpatient care. The bill directly affects individuals seeking substance abuse treatment by mandating longer, less restricted access to care through insurance and Medicaid.
Authorizes the commissioner of the office of mental health, and the office of addiction services and support to jointly establish a single set of licensing standards and requirements for the construction, operation, reporting and surveillance of integrated behavioral health services.
Makes conforming changes reflecting the previously authorized scope of practice of nurse practitioners; adds nurse practitioners as persons who can authorize or make certain determinations authorized to be made or determined by physicians.
Requires insurance coverage of a hospitalized birthing parent's interhospital transport to accompany such birthing parent's newborn infant experiencing a condition necessitating transport.
This bill creates a new dual licensing program for facilities serving both mental health and addiction treatment needs. It allows facilities to obtain licenses simultaneously from both the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, rather than seeking separate licenses. The key provision requires the two commissioners to jointly develop this licensing program through new rules and regulations. This change directly affects facilities providing integrated mental health and addiction services, streamlining their regulatory process.
Directs the commissioner of health to conduct a study to identify, analyze, report, and medically combat new or previously unseen opiate/opioid compounds found in overdose patients in New York state for the purpose of establishing more efficient overdose medical treatment protocols.
