Assembly Actions -
Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE |
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Jun 23, 2014 |
signed chap.41 delivered to governor |
Jun 19, 2014 |
returned to senate passed assembly message of necessity - 3 day message ordered to third reading rules cal.591 substituted for a10164 referred to ways and means delivered to assembly passed senate message of necessity - 3 day message ordered to third reading cal.1643 |
Jun 17, 2014 |
referred to rules |
Senate Bill S7912
Signed By Governor2013-2014 Legislative Session
Relates to insurance coverage for substance abuse disorder
download bill text pdfSponsored By
(R, C, IP, RFM) Senate District
Archive: Last Bill Status - Signed by Governor
- Introduced
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- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
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- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
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- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- Delivered to Governor
- Signed By Governor
Actions
Votes
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Floor Vote: Jun 19, 2014
aye (58)- Addabbo Jr.
- Avella
- Ball
- Bonacic
- Boyle
- Breslin
- Carlucci
- DeFrancisco
- Dilan
- Farley
- Felder
- Flanagan
- Gallivan
- Gianaris
- Gipson
- Golden
- Griffo
- Grisanti
- Hannon
- Hoylman-Sigal
- Kennedy
- Klein
- Krueger
- LaValle
- Lanza
- Larkin
- Latimer
- Libous
- Little
- Marcellino
- Marchione
- Martins
- Maziarz
- Montgomery
- Nozzolio
- O'Brien
- O'Mara
- Parker
- Peralta
- Perkins
- Ranzenhofer
- Ritchie
- Rivera
- Robach
- Sampson
- Sanders Jr.
- Savino
- Serrano
- Seward
- Skelos
- Smith
- Squadron
- Stavisky
- Stewart-Cousins
- Tkaczyk
- Valesky
- Young
- Zeldin
excused (3)
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Jun 19, 2014 - Rules Committee Vote
S791223Aye0Nay0Aye with Reservations0Absent2Excused0Abstained -
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co-Sponsors
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(R, C) 7th Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(R) Senate District
(D) Senate District
(D) 22nd Senate District
(R, C) 60th Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(R, C) 53rd Senate District
(R, C, IP, RFM) 24th Senate District
(R, C) Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(R) Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(R, C) 58th Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(D, IP) Senate District
(D, IP) Senate District
(R, C, IP) Senate District
(D) Senate District
(D) Senate District
(D) Senate District
(R) Senate District
2013-S7912 (ACTIVE) - Details
- See Assembly Version of this Bill:
- A10164
- Law Section:
- Insurance Law
- Laws Affected:
- Amd §§309, 3216, 3221, 4303, 4900, 4902, 4903 & 4904 Ins L; amd §§4409, 4900, 4902, 4903 & 4904, Pub Health L
2013-S7912 (ACTIVE) - Summary
Relates to insurance coverage for substance use disorder; requires health plans to use a health care provider who specializes in behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment to supervise and oversee the medical management decisions relating to substance abuse treatment.
2013-S7912 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:S7912 TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the insurance law and the public health law, in relation to requiring health insurance coverage for substance use disorder treatment services and creating a workgroup to study and make recommendations Purpose: New York is confronting a rapidly growing problem involving the use, abuse and trafficking of heroin and prescription painkillers. This package of comprehensive legislation will strengthen New York's ability to combat abuse of these drugs, and provide communities, families, and individuals devastated by these dangerous substances with critical tools for addressing crime and addiction. Summary of Bills: These 11 bills would: * amend Public Health L. (PHL) § 3385-a to further enhance the investigation capabilities of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) in the Department of Health (DOH) by directing the Division of Criminal Justice Services to give BNE access to criminal history information currently maintained by the Division; * create a new Penal L. § 178.26 creating the crime of fraud and deceit related to controlled substances, a Class A misdemeanor;
* rename and amend Penal L. § 220.65 by adding the additional element of criminal sale of a controlled substance by a practitioner or pharmacist while he or she purports to act in his or her capacity as a practitioner or pharmacist; * amend Criminal Procedure L. § 700.05 (8) (c) to add newly amended Penal Law § 220.65, as a designated offense for purposes of obtaining "eavesdropping and surveillance warrants" and amend the Penal L. 460.10 (1)(a) to add Penal L. § 220.65 as a "criminal act" within the Penal Law definition of "enterprise corruption"; * amend PHL § 3309 to expand distribution of informational cards or sheets listing, among others, the steps to take before and after an opioid antagonist is administered; * amend Mental Hygiene L. § 19.18 to establish the Opioid Addiction Treatment and Hospital Diversion Demonstration Program whereby the Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), is authorized to establish demonstration programs throughout the state to test new approaches to providing services to individuals who are attempting to detoxify from heroin where a hospital level of care is unnecessary; * amend the Mental Hygiene Law by adding a new § 19.18-a to require OASAS in consultation with the Department of Health to create a wraparound services demonstration program which would provide services to adolescents and adults for up to nine months after the successful completion of a treatment program; * amend the definition in Family Court Act (FCA) §§ 712 and 735 to specify that Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) diversion services, in cases where the petitioner alleges the child has a substance use disorder or is in need of immediate detoxification or substance use disorder services, may include assessment for substance use disorders; * amend Education L. § 804 to require the Commissioner of Education to review the existing health curriculum requirements and to incorporate standards and requirements related to the risks of heroin and opioid use; * amend Mental Hygiene L. § 19.07 to require the OASAS to develop, in consultation with the Department of Health, a multi-media public education program regarding heroin and opioid abuse and misuse; and * amend Insurance L. §§ 3216, 3221 and 4303 to improve access to care by requiring insurers to use peer-reviewed, clinical review criteria when making decisions regarding the medical necessity of treatment for persons suffering from substance use disorders, to require that medical necessity decisions be made by medical professionals who specialize in behavioral health and substance use, and to ensure that individuals requiring treatment have access to an expedited appeals process and that they are not denied care while the appeals process is underway. Existing Law: These bills would amend the Executive Law, the Public Health Law, the Education Law, the Family Court Act, the Penal Law, the Insurance Law, and the Mental Hygiene Law. Justification: The trafficking and abuse of heroin and opioids is increasing rapidly. To combat this onslaught, New York State must continue to be a leader in the fight against these devastating drugs. In New York City alone, from 2010 to 2012, heroin-related deaths rose 84%. The destruction caused by heroin has not been limited to New York City. From 2002 to 2012, the number of young adults across the state, ages 18-25, using heroin has more than doubled. Upstate, the treatment admissions involving heroin have gone up 25%. Heroin is inexpensive compared to other narcotics and it continues to be readily accessible, making it the drug of choice for many addicts. In fact, felony drug court participants that reported heroin as their drug of choice increased from 13% in 2008 to 24% in 2013. This comprehensive legislative package takes a bold new approach to curb the spread of these dangerous drugs. Give BNE Access to Vital Criminal History Information Criminal background and other key information about the target of any investigation is a vital component in the investigative process. The BNE is a crucial collaborator in the investigation and prosecution of criminal prescribers of opioids. In order to further enhance the capabilities of the BNE, it is essential that it be able to run criminal history checks on targets of investigations. This bill would provide this necessary investigative tool to the BNE, resulting in successful investigations. Make Fraud in Obtaining Controlled Substances a Penal Law Crime Under PHL § 3397, it is an unclassified misdemeanor for a person to use fraud or deceit to obtain a controlled substance or a prescription for controlled substances. Adding a similar section to the Penal Law will further enhance law enforcement's ability to combat such fraud and deceit, including doctor shopping, by putting police and district attorneys throughout the state on notice by creating a clearly defined crime and related penalty within the Penal Law. Impose Higher Penalties on Certain Professionals Who Divert Controlled Substances Penal L. § 220.65 prohibits the sale of a controlled substance by a practitioner or pharmacist. Currently the sale of a controlled substance by anyone is a Class D felony. This amendment would create the higher class C felony for those licensed professionals, including physicians and pharmacists, who abuse the public's trust by illegally selling controlled substances under the guise of legitimate medical practice or other health care practices. Give Law Enforcement More Tools to Combat Controlled Substance Abuse Criminal Procedure L. § 700.05(c) would be amended to include the newly amended and created crimes in Penal L. § 220.65 as an enumerated offense under the definition of "eavesdropping warrants." This small but significant amendment would give law enforcement and prosecutors the ability to utilize eavesdropping warrants to further fully investigate crimes involving the distribution of controlled substances. Penal L. § 460.10(1)(a) would also be amended to include the newly amended and created crimes in Penal L. § 220.65 under the definition of the crime of "enterprise corruption". This would empower law enforcement to further prosecute organized activity related to prescription drug trafficking in New York State. Distribute Information on Opioid Antagonists In 2006, DOH established community-based opioid overdose prevention programs to train persons likely to witness an overdose on how to recognize and respond to such a situation, including the use of naloxone, an opioid antagonist that can reverse the overdose. Since that time, 130 programs have been registered and 15,000 responders have been trained. Among those trained have not only been police and other traditional first responders, but also family members of opioid users, homeless shelter staff, employees of drug treatment programs, and drug users themselves. Since 2006, over 850 overdose reversals have been reported to the Department of Health. This bill would make an already successful program even more impactful and save many more lives through the distribution of informational cards or sheets when opioid antagonists are dispensed. These informational cards would provide recipients with the important information on how to recognize symptoms of an overdose; what steps to take, including calling first responders; and how to access services through OASAS. Establish a Demonstration Program to Test New Approaches to Treating Substance Abuse Through this demonstration program, OASAS would work with its providers to test new approaches to providing services to individuals who are attempting to detox from heroin where a hospital level of care is unnecessary. This demonstration program would provide alternative short term community based treatment, thereby avoiding unnecessary emergency room costs. By demonstrating new approaches statewide, OASAS will be able to study the effectiveness of the new approaches to determine their validity while, more importantly, addressing the needs of individuals in need of care. Establish a Wraparound Program to Provide Comprehensive Treatment Services OASAS in consultation with the Department of Health would create a wraparound services demonstration program which will provide services to adolescents and adults for up to nine months after the successful completion of a treatment program. These services would be in the form of case management services and include addressing: * Education resources; * Legal services; * Financial services; * Social services; * Family services; * Childcare services; * Peer to peer support; * Employment support; * Transportation assistance. Wraparound services generally refer to a complete and comprehensive method of providing services that would have the greatest impact on the individual who is receiving such services. This legislation would require OASAS to expand its existing case management services and build relationships in communities across the state to provide services that will allow for them to provide services to their clients that will greatly improve their quality of life and greatly reduce the likelihood of a person relapsing. Expand the Availability of PINS Diversion Services for Youth FCA §§ 712 and 735 would be amended to allow the designated lead agency for the purpose of providing PINS diversion services (either the local social services district or the local probation department) to determine whether an assessment for substance use disorder by an OASAS certified provider of services is necessary in cases where the youth is alleged to be suffering from a substance use disorder which could make the youth a danger to himself or herself or others. The legislation requires OASAS to make available a list of certified treatment providers to designated lead agencies. It also provides that the designated lead agency shall not be required to pay for an assessment for substance use disorder or related services, except in cases where Medicaid may be used to pay for such assessment or services. Establish through the State Education Department an Updated Drug Abuse Curriculum This bill would amend Education L. § 804 to require that the Commissioner of Education update drug abuse curriculum every three years so that students have the most current and up-to-date information on coping with drugs and other substances. Implement a Public Awareness Campaign This would amend the Mental Hygiene Law to direct OASAS to undertake a public awareness and educational campaign in cooperation with DOH utilizing public forums, media (social and mass) as well as all forms of advertising to educate youth, parents, healthcare professionals and others about the risks associated with heroin and opioids, how to recognize signs of addiction and the resources available to deal with these issues. Expand Insurance Coverage of Treatment for Patients Suffering from Substance Abuse This legislation would improve access to care by requiring insurers to use peer-reviewed, nationally recognized clinical review criteria when making decisions regarding the medical necessity of treatment. This will require insurers to consistently cover the appropriate level of treatment for patients suffering from substance use disorders. In addition, medical necessity decisions will be made by medical professionals who specialize in behavioral health and substance use. Further, the legislation would also ensure that individuals requiring treatment have access to an expedited appeals process and that they are not denied care while the appeals process is underway. Budget Implications: There will be sufficient funding for all proposals through existing and future appropriations. Effective Date: Each bill has its own effective date.
2013-S7912 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ S. 7912 A. 10164 S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y June 17, 2014 ___________ IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sens. SEWARD, HANNON, MARTINS, RITCHIE -- (at request of the Governor) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Cusick) -- (at request of the Governor) -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance AN ACT to amend the insurance law and the public health law, in relation to requiring health insurance coverage for substance use disorder treatment services and creating a workgroup to study and make recom- mendations THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law is amended by adding two new paragraphs 30 and 31 to read as follows: (30)(A) EVERY POLICY THAT PROVIDES HOSPITAL, MAJOR MEDICAL OR SIMILAR COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE MUST PROVIDE INPATIENT COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, INCLUDING DETOXIFICATION AND REHABILITATION SERVICES. SUCH COVERAGE SHALL NOT APPLY FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS OR TREATMENT LIMITATIONS TO INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISOR- DER BENEFITS THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE PREDOMINANT FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND TREATMENT LIMITATIONS APPLIED TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL BENEFITS COVERED BY THE POLICY. FURTHER, SUCH COVERAGE SHALL BE PROVIDED CONSISTENT WITH THE FEDERAL PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 (29 U.S.C. S 1185A). (B) COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MAY BE LIMITED TO FACILI- TIES IN NEW YORK STATE WHICH ARE CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES AND, IN OTHER STATES, TO THOSE WHICH ARE ACCREDITED BY THE JOINT COMMISSION AS ALCOHOLISM, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, OR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE TREATMENT PROGRAMS. (C) COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MAY BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLES AND CO-INSURANCE AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE SUPERINTENDENT EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD12108-01-4
S. 7912 2 A. 10164 AND THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE IMPOSED ON OTHER BENEFITS WITHIN A GIVEN POLICY. (31) (A) EVERY POLICY THAT PROVIDES MEDICAL, MAJOR MEDICAL OR SIMILAR COMPREHENSIVE-TYPE COVERAGE MUST PROVIDE OUTPATIENT COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, INCLUDING DETOXIFICA- TION AND REHABILITATION SERVICES. SUCH COVERAGE SHALL NOT APPLY FINAN- CIAL REQUIREMENTS OR TREATMENT LIMITATIONS TO OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENEFITS THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE PREDOMINANT FINAN- CIAL REQUIREMENTS AND TREATMENT LIMITATIONS APPLIED TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL BENEFITS COVERED BY THE POLICY. FURTHER, SUCH COVERAGE SHALL BE PROVIDED CONSISTENT WITH THE FEDERAL PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 (29 U.S.C. S 1185A). (B) COVERAGE UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MAY BE LIMITED TO FACILITIES IN NEW YORK STATE CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES OR LICENSED BY SUCH OFFICE AS OUTPATIENT CLINICS OR MEDICALLY SUPERVISED AMBULATORY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS AND, IN OTHER STATES, TO THOSE WHICH ARE ACCREDITED BY THE JOINT COMMISSION AS ALCOHOLISM OR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS. (C) COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MAY BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLES AND CO-INSURANCE AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE IMPOSED ON OTHER BENEFITS WITHIN A GIVEN POLICY. (D) A POLICY PROVIDING COVERAGE FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL PROVIDE UP TO TWENTY OUTPATIENT VISITS PER POLICY OR CALENDAR YEAR TO AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IDENTIFIES HIM OR HERSELF AS A FAMILY MEMBER OF A PERSON SUFFERING FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND WHO SEEKS TREATMENT AS A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS OTHERWISE COVERED BY THE APPLICABLE POLICY PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH. THE COVER- AGE REQUIRED BY THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL INCLUDE TREATMENT AS A FAMILY MEMBER PURSUANT TO SUCH FAMILY MEMBER'S OWN POLICY PROVIDED SUCH FAMILY MEMBER: (I) DOES NOT EXCEED THE ALLOWABLE NUMBER OF FAMILY VISITS PROVIDED BY THE APPLICABLE POLICY PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH; AND (II) IS OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO COVERAGE PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH AND SUCH FAMILY MEMBER'S APPLICABLE POLICY. S 2. Paragraphs 6 and 7 of subsection (l) of section 3221 of the insurance law, paragraph 6 as amended by chapter 558 of the laws of 1999 and paragraph 7 as amended by chapter 565 of the laws of 2000, are amended to read as follows: (6) (A) Every [insurer delivering a group or school blanket policy or issuing a group or school blanket policy for delivery, in this state, which] POLICY THAT provides [coverage for inpatient hospital care] HOSPITAL, MAJOR MEDICAL OR SIMILAR COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE must [make available and, if requested by the policyholder,] provide INPATIENT coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of [chemical abuse and chemical dependence, however defined in such policy, provided, however, that the term chemical abuse shall mean and include alcohol and substance abuse and chemical dependence shall mean and include alcoholism and substance dependence, however defined in such policy. Written notice of the avail- ability of such coverage shall be delivered to the policyholder prior to inception of such group policy and annually thereafter, except that this notice shall not be required where a policy covers two hundred or more employees or where the benefit structure was the subject of collective bargaining affecting persons who are employed in more than one state. (B) Such coverage shall be at least equal to the following: S. 7912 3 A. 10164 (i) with respect to benefits for detoxification as a consequence of chemical dependence, inpatient benefits in a hospital or a detoxifica- tion facility may not be limited to less than seven days of active treatment in any calendar year; and (ii) with respect to benefits for rehabilitation services, such bene- fits may not be limited to less than thirty days of inpatient care in any calendar year.] SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, INCLUDING DETOXIFICATION AND REHABILITATION SERVICES. SUCH COVERAGE SHALL NOT APPLY FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS OR TREATMENT LIMITATIONS TO INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISOR- DER BENEFITS THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE PREDOMINANT FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND TREATMENT LIMITATIONS APPLIED TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL BENEFITS COVERED BY THE POLICY. FURTHER, SUCH COVERAGE SHALL BE PROVIDED CONSISTENT WITH THE FEDERAL PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 (29 U.S.C. S 1185A). [(C) Such coverage] (B) COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH may be limited to facilities in New York state which are certified by the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services and, in other states, to those which are accredited by the joint commission [on accreditation of hospitals] as alcoholism, substance abuse or chemical dependence treatment programs. [(D) Such coverage shall be made available at the inception of all new policies and with respect to all other policies at any anniversary date of the policy subject to evidence of insurability. (E) Such coverage] (C) COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH may be subject to annual deductibles and co-insurance as [may be] deemed appro- priate by the superintendent and THAT are consistent with those imposed on other benefits within a given policy. [Further, each insurer shall report to the superintendent each year the number of contract holders to whom it has issued policies for the inpatient treatment of chemical dependence, and the approximate number of persons covered by such poli- cies. (F) Such coverage shall not replace, restrict or eliminate existing coverage provided by the policy.] (7) (A) Every [insurer delivering a group or school blanket policy or issuing a group or school blanket policy for delivery in this state which] POLICY THAT provides [coverage for inpatient hospital care] MEDICAL, MAJOR MEDICAL OR SIMILAR COMPREHENSIVE-TYPE COVERAGE must provide OUTPATIENT coverage for [at least sixty outpatient visits in any calendar year for] the diagnosis and treatment of [chemical dependence of which up to twenty may be for family members, except that this provision shall not apply to a policy which covers persons employed in more than one state or the benefit structure of which was the subject of collective bargaining affecting persons who are employed in more than one state.] SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, INCLUDING DETOXIFICATION AND REHA- BILITATION SERVICES. SUCH COVERAGE SHALL NOT APPLY FINANCIAL REQUIRE- MENTS OR TREATMENT LIMITATIONS TO OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENEFITS THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE PREDOMINANT FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND TREATMENT LIMITATIONS APPLIED TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL BENEFITS COVERED BY THE POLICY. FURTHER, SUCH COVERAGE SHALL BE PROVIDED CONSISTENT WITH THE FEDERAL PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 (29 U.S.C. S 1185A). [Such coverage] (B) COVERAGE UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH may be limited to facilities in New York state certified by the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services or licensed by such office as outpatient clin- S. 7912 4 A. 10164 ics or medically supervised ambulatory substance abuse programs and, in other states, to those which are accredited by the joint commission [on accreditation of hospitals] as alcoholism or chemical dependence treat- ment programs. [Such coverage] (C) COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH may be subject to annual deductibles and co-insurance as [may be] deemed appro- priate by the superintendent and THAT are consistent with those imposed on other benefits within a given policy. [Such coverage shall not replace, restrict, or eliminate existing coverage provided by the poli- cy. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable policy or contract, no insurer delivering a group or school blanket policy or issuing a group or school blanket policy providing coverage for alcoholism or substance abuse services pursuant to this section shall deny coverage to a family member] (D) A POLICY PROVIDING COVERAGE FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL PROVIDE UP TO TWENTY OUTPATIENT VISITS PER POLICY OR CALENDAR YEAR TO AN INDIVIDUAL who identifies [themself] HIM OR HERSELF as a family member of a person suffering from [the disease of alcoholism, substance abuse or chemical dependency] SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER and who seeks treatment as a family member who is otherwise covered by the applicable policy [or contract] pursuant to this [section] PARAGRAPH. The coverage required by this paragraph shall include treatment as a family member pursuant to such family [members'] MEMBER'S own policy [or contract] provided such family member: (i) does not exceed the allowable number of family visits provided by the applicable policy [or contract] pursuant to this [section,] PARA- GRAPH; and (ii) is otherwise entitled to coverage pursuant to this [section] PARAGRAPH and such family [members'] MEMBER'S applicable policy [or contract]. S 3. Subsections (k) and (l) of section 4303 of the insurance law, subsection (k) as amended by chapter 558 of the laws of 1999 and subsection (l) as amended by chapter 565 of the laws of 2000, are amended to read as follows: (k) [A hospital service corporation or a health service corporation which] (1) EVERY CONTRACT THAT provides [group, group remittance or school blanket coverage for inpatient hospital care] HOSPITAL, MAJOR MEDICAL OR SIMILAR COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE must [make available and if requested by the contract holder] provide INPATIENT coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of [chemical abuse and chemical dependence, however defined in such policy, provided, however, that the term chemi- cal abuse shall mean and include alcohol and substance abuse and chemi- cal dependence shall mean and include alcoholism and substance depend- ence, however defined in such policy, except that this provision shall not apply to a policy which covers persons employed in more than one state or the benefit structure of which was the subject of collective bargaining affecting persons who are employed in more than one state. Such coverage shall be at least equal to the following: (1) with respect to benefits for detoxification as a consequence of chemical dependence, inpatient benefits for care in a hospital or detoxification facility may not be limited to less than seven days of active treatment in any calen- dar year; and (2) with respect to benefits for inpatient rehabilitation services, such benefits may not be limited to less than thirty days of inpatient rehabilitation in a hospital based or free standing chemical dependence facility in any calendar year.] SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, INCLUDING DETOXIFICATION AND REHABILITATION SERVICES. SUCH COVERAGE S. 7912 5 A. 10164 SHALL NOT APPLY FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS OR TREATMENT LIMITATIONS TO INPA- TIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENEFITS THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE PREDOMINANT FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND TREATMENT LIMITATIONS APPLIED TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL BENEFITS COVERED BY THE CONTRACT. FURTHER, SUCH COVERAGE SHALL BE PROVIDED CONSISTENT WITH THE FEDERAL PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 (29 U.S.C. S 1185A). [Such coverage] (2) COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION may be limited to facilities in New York state which are certified by the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services and, in other states, to those which are accredited by the joint commission [on accreditation of hospitals] as alcoholism, substance abuse, or chemical dependence treatment programs. [Such coverage shall be made available at the incep- tion of all new policies and with respect to policies issued before the effective date of this subsection at the first annual anniversary date thereafter, without evidence of insurability and at any subsequent annu- al anniversary date subject to evidence of insurability. Such coverage] (3) COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION may be subject to annual deductibles and co-insurance as [may be] deemed appro- priate by the superintendent and THAT are consistent with those imposed on other benefits within a given [policy] CONTRACT. [Further, each hospital service corporation or health service corporation shall report to the superintendent each year the number of contract holders to whom it has issued policies for the inpatient treatment of chemical depend- ence, and the approximate number of persons covered by such policies. Such coverage shall not replace, restrict or eliminate existing coverage provided by the policy. Written notice of the availability of such coverage shall be delivered to the group remitting agent or group contract holder prior to inception of such contract and annually there- after, except that this notice shall not be required where a policy covers two hundred or more employees or where the benefit structure was the subject of collective bargaining affecting persons who are employed in more than one state.] (l) [A hospital service corporation or a health service corporation which] (1) EVERY CONTRACT THAT provides [group, group remittance or school blanket coverage for inpatient hospital care] MEDICAL, MAJOR MEDICAL OR SIMILAR COMPREHENSIVE-TYPE COVERAGE must provide OUTPATIENT coverage for [at least sixty outpatient visits in any calendar year for] the diagnosis and treatment of [chemical dependence of which up to twen- ty may be for family members, except that this provision shall not apply to a contract issued pursuant to section four thousand three hundred five of this article which covers persons employed in more than one state or the benefit structure of which was the subject of collective bargaining affecting persons who are employed in more than one state.] SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, INCLUDING DETOXIFICATION AND REHABILITATION SERVICES. SUCH COVERAGE SHALL NOT APPLY FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS OR TREATMENT LIMITATIONS TO OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENEFITS THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE PREDOMINANT FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND TREATMENT LIMITATIONS APPLIED TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL BENEFITS COVERED BY THE CONTRACT. FURTHER, SUCH COVERAGE SHALL BE PROVIDED CONSISTENT WITH THE FEDERAL PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 (29 U.S.C. S 1185A). [Such coverage] (2) COVERAGE UNDER THIS SUBSECTION may be limited to facilities in New York state certified by the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services or licensed by such office as outpatient clin- S. 7912 6 A. 10164 ics or medically supervised ambulatory substance abuse programs and, in other states, to those which are accredited by the joint commission [on accreditation of hospitals] as alcoholism or chemical dependence substance abuse treatment programs. [Such coverage] (3) COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION may be subject to annual deductibles and co-insurance as [may be] deemed appro- priate by the superintendent and THAT are consistent with those imposed on other benefits within a given [policy] CONTRACT. [Such coverage shall not replace, restrict or eliminate existing coverage provided by the policy. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable policy or contract, no hospital service corporation or health service corporation providing coverage for alcoholism or substance abuse services pursuant to this section shall deny coverage to a family member] (4) A CONTRACT PROVIDING COVERAGE FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION SHALL PROVIDE UP TO TWENTY OUTPATIENT VISITS PER CONTRACT OR CALENDAR YEAR TO AN INDIVIDUAL who identifies [themself] HIM OR HERSELF as a family member of a person suffering from [the disease of alcoholism, substance abuse or chemical dependency] SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER and who seeks treatment as a family member who is otherwise covered by the applicable [policy or] contract pursuant to this [section] SUBSECTION. The coverage required by this subsection shall include treatment as a family member pursuant to such family [members'] MEMBER'S own [policy or] contract provided such family member: [(i)] (A) does not exceed the allowable number of family visits provided by the applicable [policy or] contract pursuant to this [section,] SUBSECTION; and [(ii)] (B) is otherwise entitled to coverage pursuant to this [section] SUBSECTION and such family [members'] MEMBER'S applicable [policy or] contract. S 3-a. Item (ii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph 1 of subsection (b) of section 4900 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 586 of the laws of 1998, is amended and a new subparagraph (C) is added to read as follows: (ii) is in the same profession and same or similar specialty as the health care provider who typically manages the medical condition or disease or provides the health care service or treatment under review; [and] OR (C) FOR PURPOSES OF A DETERMINATION INVOLVING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT: (I) A PHYSICIAN WHO POSSESSES A CURRENT AND VALID NON-RESTRICTED LICENSE TO PRACTICE MEDICINE AND WHO SPECIALIZES IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE DELIVERY OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COURSES OF TREATMENT; OR (II) A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL OTHER THAN A LICENSED PHYSICIAN WHO SPECIALIZES IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE DELIVERY OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COURSES OF TREATMENT AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, POSSESSES A CURRENT AND VALID NON-RESTRICTED LICENSE, CERTIFICATE OR REGISTRATION OR, WHERE NO PROVISION FOR A LICENSE, CERTIFICATE OR REGIS- TRATION EXISTS, IS CREDENTIALED BY THE NATIONAL ACCREDITING BODY APPRO- PRIATE TO THE PROFESSION; AND S 4. Subsection (a) of section 4902 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 9 to read as follows: (9) WHEN CONDUCTING UTILIZATION REVIEW FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT, A UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT SHALL UTILIZE RECOGNIZED EVIDENCE-BASED AND PEER REVIEWED CLINICAL REVIEW CRITERIA THAT IS APPROPRIATE TO THE AGE OF THE PATIENT S. 7912 7 A. 10164 AND IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE AND APPROVED FOR SUCH USE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH AND THE SUPERINTENDENT. THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH AND THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL APPROVE A RECOGNIZED EVIDENCE-BASED AND PEER REVIEWED CLINICAL REVIEW CRITERIA, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER APPROVED EVIDENCE-BASED AND PEER REVIEWED CLINICAL REVIEW CRITERIA. S 5. Subsection (c) of section 4903 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 237 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows: (c) (1) A utilization review agent shall make a determination involv- ing continued or extended health care services, additional services for an insured undergoing a course of continued treatment prescribed by a health care provider, OR REQUESTS FOR INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT, or home health care services following an inpatient hospital admission, and shall provide notice of such determination to the insured or the insured's designee, which may be satisfied by notice to the insured's health care provider, by telephone and in writing within one business day of receipt of the necessary information except, with respect to home health care services following an inpatient hospital admission, within seventy-two hours of receipt of the necessary informa- tion when the day subsequent to the request falls on a weekend or holi- day AND EXCEPT, WITH RESPECT TO INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREAT- MENT, WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF RECEIPT OF THE REQUEST FOR SERVICES WHEN THE REQUEST IS SUBMITTED AT LEAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO DISCHARGE FROM AN INPATIENT ADMISSION. Notification of continued or extended services shall include the number of extended services approved, the new total of approved services, the date of onset of services and the next review date. (2) Provided that a request for home health care services and all necessary information is submitted to the utilization review agent prior to discharge from an inpatient hospital admission pursuant to this subsection, a utilization review agent shall not deny, on the basis of medical necessity or lack of prior authorization, coverage for home health care services while a determination by the utilization review agent is pending. (3) PROVIDED THAT A REQUEST FOR INPATIENT TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IS SUBMITTED TO THE UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT AT LEAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO DISCHARGE FROM AN INPATIENT ADMISSION PURSU- ANT TO THIS SUBSECTION, A UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT SHALL NOT DENY, ON THE BASIS OF MEDICAL NECESSITY OR LACK OF PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, COVERAGE FOR THE INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT WHILE A DETERMINATION BY THE UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT IS PENDING. S 6. Subsection (b) of section 4904 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 237 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows: (b) A utilization review agent shall establish an expedited appeal process for appeal of an adverse determination involving (1) continued or extended health care services, procedures or treatments or additional services for an insured undergoing a course of continued treatment prescribed by a health care provider or home health care services following discharge from an inpatient hospital admission pursuant to subsection (c) of section four thousand nine hundred three of this arti- cle or (2) an adverse determination in which the health care provider believes an immediate appeal is warranted except any retrospective determination. Such process shall include mechanisms which facilitate resolution of the appeal including but not limited to the sharing of S. 7912 8 A. 10164 information from the insured's health care provider and the utilization review agent by telephonic means or by facsimile. The utilization review agent shall provide reasonable access to its clinical peer reviewer within one business day of receiving notice of the taking of an expe- dited appeal. Expedited appeals shall be determined within two business days of receipt of necessary information to conduct such appeal EXCEPT, WITH RESPECT TO INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT PROVIDED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH THREE OF SUBSECTION (C) OF SECTION FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE, EXPEDITED APPEALS SHALL BE DETER- MINED WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF RECEIPT OF SUCH APPEAL. Expedited appeals which do not result in a resolution satisfactory to the appeal- ing party may be further appealed through the standard appeal process, or through the external appeal process pursuant to section four thousand nine hundred fourteen of this article as applicable. PROVIDED THAT THE INSURED OR THE INSURED'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FILES AN EXPEDITED INTER- NAL AND EXTERNAL APPEAL WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS FROM RECEIPT OF AN ADVERSE DETERMINATION FOR INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT FOR WHICH COVERAGE WAS PROVIDED WHILE THE INITIAL UTILIZATION REVIEW DETER- MINATION WAS PENDING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH THREE OF SUBSECTION (C) OF SECTION FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE, A UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT SHALL NOT DENY ON THE BASIS OF MEDICAL NECESSITY OR LACK OF PRIOR AUTHORIZATION SUCH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT WHILE A DETER- MINATION BY THE UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT OR EXTERNAL APPEAL AGENT IS PENDING. S 6-a. Item (B) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 4900 of the public health law, as amended by chapter 586 of the laws of 1998, is amended and a new subparagraph (iii) is added to read as follows: (B) is in the same profession and same or similar specialty as the health care provider who typically manages the medical condition or disease or provides the health care service or treatment under review; [and] OR (III) FOR PURPOSES OF A DETERMINATION INVOLVING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT: (A) A PHYSICIAN WHO POSSESSES A CURRENT AND VALID NON-RESTRICTED LICENSE TO PRACTICE MEDICINE AND WHO SPECIALIZES IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE DELIVERY OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COURSES OF TREATMENT; OR (B) A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL OTHER THAN A LICENSED PHYSICIAN WHO SPECIALIZES IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE DELIVERY OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COURSES OF TREATMENT AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, POSSESSES A CURRENT AND VALID NON-RESTRICTED LICENSE, CERTIFICATE OR REGISTRATION OR, WHERE NO PROVISION FOR A LICENSE, CERTIFICATE OR REGIS- TRATION EXISTS, IS CREDENTIALED BY THE NATIONAL ACCREDITING BODY APPRO- PRIATE TO THE PROFESSION; AND S 7. Subdivision 1 of section 4902 of the public health law is amended by adding a new paragraph (i) to read as follows: (I) WHEN CONDUCTING UTILIZATION REVIEW FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT, A UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT SHALL UTILIZE RECOGNIZED EVIDENCE-BASED AND PEER REVIEWED CLINICAL REVIEW CRITERIA THAT IS APPROPRIATE TO THE AGE OF THE PATIENT AND IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE AND APPROVED FOR SUCH USE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES. THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES SHALL S. 7912 9 A. 10164 APPROVE A RECOGNIZED EVIDENCE-BASED AND PEER REVIEWED CLINICAL REVIEW CRITERIA, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER APPROVED EVIDENCE-BASED AND PEER REVIEWED CLINICAL REVIEW CRITERIA. S 8. Subdivision 3 of section 4903 of the public health law, as amended by chapter 237 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows: 3. (A) A utilization review agent shall make a determination involving continued or extended health care services, additional services for an enrollee undergoing a course of continued treatment prescribed by a health care provider, OR REQUESTS FOR INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT, or home health care services following an inpatient hospital admission, and shall provide notice of such determination to the enrol- lee or the enrollee's designee, which may be satisfied by notice to the enrollee's health care provider, by telephone and in writing within one business day of receipt of the necessary information except, with respect to home health care services following an inpatient hospital admission, within seventy-two hours of receipt of the necessary informa- tion when the day subsequent to the request falls on a weekend or holi- day AND EXCEPT, WITH RESPECT TO INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREAT- MENT, WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF RECEIPT OF THE REQUEST FOR SERVICES WHEN THE REQUEST IS SUBMITTED AT LEAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO DISCHARGE FROM AN INPATIENT ADMISSION. Notification of continued or extended services shall include the number of extended services approved, the new total of approved services, the date of onset of services and the next review date. (B) Provided that a request for home health care services and all necessary information is submitted to the utilization review agent prior to discharge from an inpatient hospital admission pursuant to this subdivision, a utilization review agent shall not deny, on the basis of medical necessity or lack of prior authorization, coverage for home health care services while a determination by the utilization review agent is pending. (C) PROVIDED THAT A REQUEST FOR INPATIENT TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IS SUBMITTED TO THE UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT AT LEAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO DISCHARGE FROM AN INPATIENT ADMISSION PURSU- ANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION, A UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT SHALL NOT DENY, ON THE BASIS OF MEDICAL NECESSITY OR LACK OF PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, COVERAGE FOR THE INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT WHILE A DETERMINATION BY THE UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT IS PENDING. S 9. Subdivision 2 of section 4904 of the public health law, as amended by chapter 237 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows: 2. A utilization review agent shall establish an expedited appeal process for appeal of an adverse determination involving: (a) continued or extended health care services, procedures or treat- ments or additional services for an enrollee undergoing a course of continued treatment prescribed by a health care provider home health care services following discharge from an inpatient hospital admission pursuant to subdivision three of section forty-nine hundred three of this article; or (b) an adverse determination in which the health care provider believes an immediate appeal is warranted except any retrospective determination. Such process shall include mechanisms which facilitate resolution of the appeal including but not limited to the sharing of information from the enrollee's health care provider and the utilization review agent by telephonic means or by facsimile. The utilization review S. 7912 10 A. 10164 agent shall provide reasonable access to its clinical peer reviewer within one business day of receiving notice of the taking of an expe- dited appeal. Expedited appeals shall be determined within two business days of receipt of necessary information to conduct such appeal EXCEPT, WITH RESPECT TO INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT PROVIDED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION 3 OF SECTION FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE, EXPEDITED APPEALS SHALL BE DETERMINED WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF RECEIPT OF SUCH APPEAL. Expedited appeals which do not result in a resolution satisfactory to the appealing party may be further appealed through the standard appeal process, or through the external appeal process pursuant to section forty-nine hundred four- teen of this article as applicable. PROVIDED THAT THE ENROLLEE OR THE ENROLLEE'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FILES AN EXPEDITED INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL APPEAL WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS FROM RECEIPT OF AN ADVERSE DETERMINATION FOR INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT FOR WHICH COVERAGE WAS PROVIDED WHILE THE INITIAL UTILIZATION REVIEW DETERMINATION WAS PENDING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION 3 OF SECTION FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE, A UTILIZATION REVIEW AGENT SHALL NOT DENY ON THE BASIS OF MEDICAL NECESSITY OR LACK OF PRIOR AUTHORIZATION SUCH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT WHILE A DETERMINATION BY THE UTILIZA- TION REVIEW AGENT OR EXTERNAL APPEAL AGENT IS PENDING. S 10. Section 309 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new subsection (c) to read as follows: (C) AS PART OF AN EXAMINATION, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL REVIEW DETER- MINATIONS OF COVERAGE FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT AND SHALL ENSURE THAT SUCH DETERMINATIONS ARE ISSUED IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTIONS THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN, THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE, FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THREE, AND TITLE ONE OF ARTICLE FORTY-NINE OF THIS CHAPTER. S 10-a. Subdivision 2 of section 4409 of the public health law, as amended by chapter 805 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows: 2. The superintendent shall examine not less than once every three years into the financial affairs of each health maintenance organiza- tion, and transmit his findings to the commissioner. In connection with any such examination, the superintendent shall have convenient access at all reasonable hours to all books, records, files and other documents relating to the affairs of such organization, which are relevant to the examination. The superintendent may exercise the powers set forth in sections three hundred four, three hundred five, three hundred six and three hundred ten of the insurance law in connection with such examina- tions, and may also require special reports from such health maintenance organizations as specified in section three hundred eight of the insur- ance law. AS PART OF AN EXAMINATION, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL REVIEW DETERMINATIONS OF COVERAGE FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT AND SHALL ENSURE THAT SUCH DETERMINATIONS ARE ISSUED IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THREE OF THE INSURANCE LAW AND TITLE ONE OF ARTICLE FORTY-NINE OF THIS CHAPTER. S 11. 1. Within thirty days of the effective date of this act, the commissioner of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services, superintendent of the department of financial services, and the commis- sioner of health, shall jointly convene a workgroup to study and make recommendations on improving access to and availability of substance use disorder treatment services in the state. The workgroup shall be co-chaired by such commissioners and superintendent, and shall also include, but not be limited to, representatives of health care provid- S. 7912 11 A. 10164 ers, insurers, additional professionals, individuals and families who have been affected by addiction. The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, a review of the following: a. Identifying barriers to obtaining necessary substance use disorder treatment services for across the state; b. Recommendations for increasing access to and availability of substance use disorder treatment services in the state, including under- served areas of the state; c. Identifying best clinical practices for substance use disorder treatment services; d. A review of current insurance coverage requirements and recommenda- tions for improving insurance coverage for substance use disorder treat- ment; e. Recommendations for improving state agency communication and collaboration relating to substance use disorder treatment services in the state; f. Resources for affected individuals and families who are having difficulties obtaining necessary substance use disorder treatment services; and g. Methods for developing quality standards to measure the performance of substance use disorder treatment facilities in the state. 2. The workgroup shall submit a report of its findings and recommenda- tions to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speak- er of the assembly, the chairs of the senate and assembly insurance committees, and the chairs of the senate and assembly health committees no later than December 31, 2015. S 12. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however that sections one, two, three, three-a, four, five, six, six-a, seven, eight and nine of this act shall take effect April 1, 2015 and shall apply to policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on and after such date.
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