Enacts the "home health information and clinical technology act"

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to enacting the "home health information and clinical technology act"

Purpose

To establish and implement a plan to support home health information and clinical technology development, capacity and exchange, consistent with and necessary for execution of major state policies on health information and clinical integration.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill creates a short title having the act known as the "home health information and clinical technology act".

Section 2 of the bill provides that the state commissioner of health, in consultation with representatives of home care providers, managed care plans, and statewide associations representative of home care, shall develop a health information and clinical technology infrastructure support program for the home care system.

The plan and its implementation are to be implemented in a manner in collaboration with, and consistent with the goals of major state health integration reforms (e.g., DSRIP) and other technology initiatives undertaken by the state.

The program is designed to:

*Promote quality, accessibility, care management, innovation and cost-effectiveness in care;

*Support state goals for home care participation in integrated care models under this chapter and the social services law, including but not limited to Medicaid managed care, managed long term care, delivery system reform incentive payment programs, value based payment models, fully integrated duals advantage plans, health homes, patient-centered medical homes, accountable care organizations, and hospital-home care-physician collaboration programs; and

*Facilitate home care participation in regional health information organizations.

The program would include, but not be limited to financial and program support through: capital grants; technology adjustments to home care and managed care rates; and incorporation of technology support under various workforce, quality and public health initiatives of the state.

Section 3 of the bill provides for an effective date.

Justification

This bill would set in motion a planning and implementation process for vital support for health information and clinical technology in home care, and critical connectivity between home care and hospital, physician, health plan and other partners in the continuum. This essential support would promote health care quality, cost-effectiveness, care management, and integration of home care within provider and state/regional health information systems.

Health informational and clinical technology are at the core of every aspect of health facility/agency operation; they are integral to service delivery, quality evaluation and outcomes, cost-effectiveness and administration.

Virtually every new state policy and care model requires this kind of technology infrastructure and interoperability to succeed. To date however state, federal and other relevant sources of support have long overlooked home care in the health information technology development arena.

This legislation would set into motion critically needed steps to support home care, managed care, and ultimately the continuum of care in vital health information connectivity and clinical technology capacity.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Necessary for efficient, cost-effective functioning of the system, including Medicaid cost-containment reforms. Any funds allocated for this bill would be subject to appropriations and future state fiscal plan determinations.

Effective date

Immediately.