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Who cares
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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.786
- Referred to health
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the establishment of a patient wellness bill of rights
Purpose
To make patients aware of the free wellness screenings and services provided under the Affordable Care Act and to help patients avoid unexpected bills.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 adds a new Article 17 to the Public Health Law which requires the Commissioner to create a patient wellness bill of rights. The patient wellness bill of rights shall include a description of the nature and purpose of a wellness visit, a list of wellness services and screenings covered without cost sharing, and notice of situations in which certain screenings or services may be outside the scope of a wellness screening and carry an additional charge. This section also requires health care providers to inform patients receiving free wellness screenings prior to performance of any services that would change the purpose of the visit in such a manner that could result in costs to the patient.
Section 2 provides that this act shall take effect in 90 days.
Justification
Under the Affordable Care Act, wellness visits and certain related screenings and services must be covered without any cost sharing. While these new requirements represent a significant health benefit for patients, many are unaware of which services and screenings are free and which ones may cause them to incur additional charges. Confusion over the difference between covered and non-covered screenings and services and fear of unexpected charges can often discourage patients from taking advantage of these new benefits. Recent reports have highlighted scenarios in which patients that were taking advantage of their free wellness visits, were surprised with bills when, unbeknownst to them, questions or issues raised during the wellness visit caused the visit to turn into one of diagnostic and treatment.
By creating a patient wellness bill of rights and requiring providers to inform their patients, this legislation will make patients more aware of the services available and prevent unexpected medical bills. Patients will be more apt to access these services, which are aimed to encourage wellness and decrease long term health care costs, if they are equipped with knowledge and properly informed.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
90 days.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.