Senate Bill S4789

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S4789

SPONSOR: RIVERA
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to a specialized
health home program to serve certain individuals with physical disabili-
ties

 
PURPOSE:

Establishes a specialized health home program to serve certain individ-
uals with physical disability.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends subdivision 5 of section 365-d of the social services
law as it relates to establishing a specialized health home program.
This section provides language including eligibility criteria for
program participation, reimbursement rates, and the duties and responsi-
bilities of the commissioner relating to the program.

              

Section 2 provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Health Home program has been primarily oriented towards populations
with complex medical needs and mental health, substance use, or
intellectual/developmental disabilities that necessitate personalized
care management. In 2019, the Department of Health established a
specialized health home for adults with physical disabilities, operated
by the Independence Care System, in recognition of this underserved
population that needed support.  Unfortunately, the program is struggl-
ing under a framework that does not fit the unique needs of these indi-
viduals.

People with physical disabilities need a different range of care than
most others in the health home program. They need a health home that
understands the needs and risk factors of adults with physical disabili-
ties, such as the importance of repairing and maintaining customized
wheelchairs, loaning backup chairs when needed, authorizing an appropri-
ate amount of moisture barrier creams to prevent pressure injuries,
taking measures to prevent urinary tract infections in people with cath-
eters, and other specialized knowledge and equipment.

This amendment to the Health Home law would provide specific legislative
authority for a program for adults with physical disabilities within the
health home framework that has distinct eligibility criteria; a model of
care focused on maintaining member's health, maximizing their function
with wheeled mobility, and supporting independent living; performance
measures that focus on reducing the most common risk factors for poor
health and hospitalizations; and payment to support the resources needed
to successfully operate this specialized program.  Establishing a more
appropriate framework for this population within the Health Home program
will better serve the needs of adults with physical disabilities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-2022: S8861/A9293 Gottfried
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall become law.