Senate Bill S7833

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7833

SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to enhanced
reimbursement rates for pediatric practices that are partnered with the
HealthySteps program

 
PURPOSE::

This bill would authorize the Commissioner of the New York State Depart-
ment of Health to set and create an enhanced payment model to allow
pediatric primary care providers to bill Medicaid for HealthySteps
services.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::

Section 1 expresses the legislative intent of the legislation meant to
secure and expand the funding model that allows HealthySteps to bill for
Medicaid services.

              

Section 2 amends section 2807 of the Public Health Law by adding a new
subdivision 22 to allow the commissioner of the NYS Department of Health
to establish the rate or approve an enhanced rate methodology for pedia-
tric practices that are partnered with the HealthySteps program, for the
purpose of advancing pediatric screenings, promotion of behavioral
health, and prevention and treatment of behavioral health issues in
Children. The section further outlines the criteria and definitions to
effectuate the implementation of this law.

Section 3 establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION::

Pediatric primary care is the only system in the entire country that
reaches nearly all young children. No other system has the same consist-
ent and positive connection to families, young children, and their
communities. Caregivers rely on this care and as a trusted source of
guidance during the crucial early years of development.  However, pedia-
tric primary care providers have an impossibly long list of services to
provide during a well-child visit, which can last just 15 minutes and
leave caregivers in need of more support.

In New York, families have an opportunity to work with HealthySteps, a
dyadic evidence-based, interdisciplinary pediatric primary care program
that promotes the health, wellbeing and school readiness of babies and
toddlers, with an emphasis on families living in low-income communities.
This dyadic program serves the needs of the whole family, providing
holistic support for both the children and caregiver(s).

Currently operating at 112 pediatric practices throughout the state, the
HealthySteps program provides tailored support for babies and their
families with common and complex concerns that primary care providers
often lack time to address. These include concerns like behavior, sleep,
feeding, attachment, caregiver depression, health related social needs
and adapting to life with a baby or toddler. To offer this support,
HealthySteps specialists collaborate with pediatric practitioners by
joining well-child visits - allowing the pediatrician to focus on
medical care while the HealthySteps Specialist addresses additional
concerns and developmental questions caregivers may have.

Creating a payment model through Medicaid with the New York State
Department of Health will enable long term funding for HealthySteps,
ensuring families can continue accessing these vital services.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE::

This act shall take effect immediately