What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to labor
- Recommitted to rules
- Ordered to third reading cal.1577
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to labor
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to diagnosis, care and treatment of injured employees by certified nurse practitioners
In Assembly Committee · Labor · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5572
Title of bill
An act to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to diagnosis, care and treatment of injured employees by certified nurse practitioners
Purpose
The bill authorizes the diagnosis, care and treatment of injured' employees by certified nurse practitioners under the workers' compen- sation program. The inclusion of certified nurse practitioners to conduct healthcare services consistent with their scope and training will afford injured workers greater access to care and more provider options across New York State.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the workers' compensation law by adding a new section 13-p to include nurse practitioners as eligible providers of treatment under the workers' compensation program.
Justification
Currently, the only providers under the Workers' Compensation Law that may deliver healthcare services to injured workers are physicians, psychologists, podiatrists, and chiropractors. Lack of access to quali- fied healthcare providers can prolong an injured workers' return to work.
Under education law, section 6902(3), nurse practitioners may diagnose illness and physical conditions, perform therapeutic and corrective measures, and have prescribing authority. Prior to 2015, the nurse prac- titioners could only provide these health care services in collaboration with a physician in accordance with a written practice agreement and written practice protocols. Pursuant to Part D of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2014, a nurse practitioner with 3,600 hours of practice is not required to maintain a written practice agreement, if the nurse practi- tioner complies with the rest of the requirements of section 6902(3).Under current law and in everyday actual practice, nurse practi- tioners conduct physical examinations of patients, order tests, prescribe drugs, devices and immunizing agents and, when appropriate, refer patients to other health care providers.
New York State has a long history of providing health care consumers with the freedom of choosing from a number of qualified health care service providers. Many New Yorkers opt to receive healthcare services from a nurse practitioner, and more frequently New Yorkers are relying on NPs for primary care.Individuals in the workers' compensation system should not be denied this option.
Moreover, this bill would not result in increased costs. In fact, including nurse practitioners in the workers' compensation program could lead to a savings for the system.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.