What's happening
This bill creates a task force to study the use of telehealth in New York's workers' compensation system, focusing on feasibility and effectiveness.
Why it matters
Addresses Access Barriers. By studying telehealth for workers’ comp, the task force could help address challenges faced by injured workers—like provider shortages, language barriers, and geographic isolation—potentially improving access to care, especially in rural or underserved areas.
Evaluates Quality and Fraud Prevention. The task force’s mandate to assess both the quality of telehealth care (including adherence to treatment guidelines) and its role in preventing fraud means its findings could influence how securely and effectively telehealth is integrated into the system.
Considers Employer Costs. By specifically looking at cost impacts on employers, the study could inform future policy decisions about whether telehealth could reduce costs, streamline care, or impose new financial burdens.
Influences Future Law and Policy. The report generated could lay the groundwork for permanent changes to how workers’ compensation medical services are delivered in New York, potentially setting precedents for other states or systems.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Telehealth for Workers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Recommit, enacting clause stricken
- Referred to labor
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1042
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2019
Introduced by Sen. YOUNG -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to establish a task force to conduct a comprehensive study on the ability to utilize telehealth within the workers' compensation system; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature recognizes due to geographic restrictions, provider shortages, inclement weather, restricted patient mobility and the lack of authorized workers' compensation medical providers that have familiarity with the language spoken by injured workers, patients face challenges in accessing health care providers and health care services. It is critically important that injured workers are provided with the ability to receive quality medical care in an efficient and expeditious manner. Telehealth is a valuable tool in improving the continuity, coordination, and efficiency of care for rural and underserved populations.
To date, there has not been a comprehensive study conducted in New York state to examine the efficacy of telehealth for injured workers seeking workers' compensation benefits in rural and underserved areas. The legislature therefore supports the commissioning of such a study in order to assess the effectiveness in allowing health care services to be provided by telehealth.
§ 2. A task force is hereby established to conduct a comprehensive study on the ability to utilize telehealth within the workers' compensation system. The scope of such study shall include:
a. the determination of the feasibility of implementation of telehealth for medical exams for workers' compensation claims that ensures injured workers protection and access to quality care;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03941-01-9
S. 1042 2
b. the ability to diagnose through telehealth and remain within the treatment guidelines set by the workers' compensation board;
c. the cost impact on employers;
d. the ability to prevent fraud; and
e. any other related information that the chairman of the workers' compensation board may deem necessary or relevant in carrying out this study.
§ 3. a. The task force shall consist of 7 members to be appointed as follows:
(1) 3 members appointed by the governor;
(2) 2 members appointed by the temporary president of the senate; and
(3) 2 members appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
b. The governor shall designate one of his or her appointees as the chair of the task force.
c. The members of the task force shall be composed of individuals with expertise in the workers' compensation system and/or the provision of health care services by telehealth.
d. The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
§ 4. The task force shall make a report to the legislature of its findings, conclusions and recommendations on or before January 1, 2020.
§ 5. This act shall take effect immediately, and shall expire and be deemed repealed February 1, 2020.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to establish a task force to conduct a comprehensive study on the ability to utilize telehealth within the workers' compensation system; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
Purpose
This legislation establishes a task force to conduct a study on the ability to utilize telehealth within the workers compensation system.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 states legislative intent which specifies that the legislature recognizes due to geographic restrictions, provider shortages, inclement weather, restricted patient mobility, and the lack of authorized workers compensation medical providers that have familiarity with the language spoken by the injured worker, patients face challenges in accessing health care providers and health care services. It is critically impor- tant that injured workers are provided with the ability to receive qual- ity medical care in an efficient and expeditious manner. Telehealth is a valuable tool in improving the continuity, coordination, and efficacy of care for rural and underserved populations.
Section 2 provides that a task force shall be established to conduct a comprehensive study on the ability to utilize telehealth within the workers' compensation system.
Section 3 provides that the task force shall consist of seven members to be appointed as follows:
(1) 3 members appointed by the governor;
(2) 2 members appointed by the temporary president of the senate; and
(3) 2 members appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
Section 4 provides that the workers' compensation board shall make a report to the legislature of its findings, conclusions and recommenda- tions on or before January 1, 2020.
Section 5 provides for an immediate effective date and that the act shall expire and be deemed repealed on February 1, 2020.
Justification
It is critically important that injured workers are provided with the ability to receive quality medical care in an efficient and expeditious manner.
To date, there has not been a comprehensive study conducted in New York State to examine the efficacy of telehealth for injured workers seeking workers' compensation benefits in rural and underserved areas of the state.
This study would assess the effectiveness in allowing health care services to be provided by telehealth and also ensure that all injured workers have access to quality health care services.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.833-A Reported and Committed to Finance
2017: S.833 Passed Senate
2016: S.8109 Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately, and shall expire and be deemed repealed February 1, 2020.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.