BILL NUMBER: S2124
SPONSOR: RIVERA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to allowing physi-
cian assistants to serve as primary care practitioners for purposes of
Medicaid managed care plans
 
PURPOSE:
Allows physician assistants to serve as primary care practitioners for
the purposes of Medicaid managed care plans
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends paragraph (f) of subdivision 1 of section 364-j of the
social services law as it relates to physician assistants and primary
care practitioners. This section includes physician assistant in the
definition of primary care practitioners.
Section 2 amends subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of
section 364-j of the social services law as it relates to managed care
providers. This section includes physician assistants to be considered
as managed care providers.
Section 3 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Physician assistants must undergo a rigorous course of medical education
and training. They are authorized to practice in virtually any medical
field that doctors are trained in, including but not limited to primary
care. Physician assistants develop these competencies by working with
physicians and within a team-based care environment. Unfortunately, the
current statutory language defining primary care practitioners in the
New York state Medicaid program excludes physician assistants from serv-
ing as primary care practitioners.
Expanding the definition of primary care practitioners to include physi-
cian assistants would be a meaningful way to expand access to primary
care. Primary care provides preventative services that reduce urgent and
emergency care visits. This definition expansion will allow physician
assistants to serve as primary care practitioners, which will help
address the deficit of primary care practitioners that occurred prior to
COVID-19 and has been exacerbated since the pandemic.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: S5956A/ A6056 Gottfried Vetoed
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
No negative fiscal implications. Cost savings to be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S2124: 364-j social services law, 364-j(1) social services law, 364-j(4) social services law