Authorizes the care and treatment of injured employees by duly licensed or certified acupuncturists under the workers' compensation program

1 Co-sponsor

• Diane J. Savino

BILL NUMBER:S3131A REVISED MEMO 06/21/2013

Title of bill

An act to amend the workers' compensation law and the education law, in relation to the care and treatment of injured employees by licensed or certified acupuncturists

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill authorizes the care and treatment of injured employees by a duly licensed and registered acupuncturist upon the referral of an authorized physician under the workers' compensation program.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 adds a new Section 13-p to the Workers' Compensation law to include licensed acupuncturists as eligible providers of treatment under the workers' compensation program.

Justification

The medical field of acupuncture provides positive health benefits to patients where traditional treatments have not been successful. The opportunity for patients to receive acupuncture services should not be denied in cases where physicians determine that the patient would benefit from the treatment.

Acupuncturists in New York are granted licensure upon demonstration that they possess the professional skills and expertise required to assure quality of care and responsible practice of medicine. To be licensed in New York, acupuncturists not only must have national certification, and meet state education requirements, but they must also have extensive acupuncture clinical experience in general health problems, diagnosis and treatment.

Current state workers' Compensation law allows for only licensed physicians and psychologists to be reimbursed for services. This bill allows those patients who would benefit most to receive specialized medical treatment from qualified acupuncturists.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law, provided, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on cr before such effective date.