Extends the effectiveness of a portable x-ray demonstration program for medicaid recipients

BILL NUMBER:A10607

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 433 of the laws of 1997, amend- ing the public health law and other laws relating to rates of reimburse- ment paid to hospitals and residential health care facilities, in relation to extending the effectiveness of a portable x-ray demon- stration program for medicaid recipients

Purpose or general idea of bill

To extend the expiration date of a demonstration program established in 1997 to study the cost effective- ness of Medicaid coverage for portable x-ray services until June 30, 2012.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends subdivision (b) of section 1-b of chapter 433 of the laws of 1997 to extend the expiration date of the portable x-ray demonstration program from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2012.

Section 2 amends subdivision (c) of section 1-b of chapter 433 of the laws of 1997 to direct the Department of Health to report to the Legis- lature on the demonstration program by September 1, 2011.

Section 3 states the effective date.

Justification

Portable x-ray services are important to the aged, infirm and chronically ill citizens of New York State, particularly those who are residents of long term care facilities or home bound. If an individual cannot access portable x-ray services when an x-ray is ordered by an authorized health care practitioner, then the person must be transported by ambulance to a stationary radiological site. Trans- porting individuals by means of ambulance is costly and often traumatiz- ing for the patient. Many states allow for Medicaid reimbursement for portable x-ray and diagnostic ultrasound services as does the federal Medicare program. New York State took a first step by creating a demon- stration program to allow portable x-ray providers to directly bill Medicaid for services provided to Medicaid recipients in residential health care facilities and intermediate care facilities for persons with developmental disabilities. This legislation requires the Health Depart- ment to submit its report due September 1, 2011.

Prior legislative history

Chapter 149 of the Laws of 2008.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

Immediate;