BILL NUMBER: S4163
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law and the public health law, in relation
to enacting the "health insurance preauthorization disclosure act"
 
PURPOSE:
To require health care insurance companies to provide participating
physicians and health care providers with a list of health care treat-
ments and services that require preauthorization or precertification so
that health care providers can anticipate seeking authorization for such
treatments and deliver care more efficiently.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
The bill amends the insurance law and the public health law to require
that health insurance companies and health care plans provide the
above-referenced lists.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Poor management and inefficiency in the health care industry have a
negative effect on patient care. Before a physician can authorize a test
or assessment, they must get preauthorization from a health care provid-
er - a process that can take days. Very often, early diagnosis is imper-
ative for patient care. If the circumstances are grave, patients may not
receive the care they need. By requiring insurers to provide a list of
treatments and services that require preauthorization, health care
providers can anticipate having to seek authorization for such treat-
ments and take the appropriate steps.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: Referred to Insurance
2023-24: Referred to Insurance
 
FISCAL IMPACT TO THE STATE:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Sixty days after becoming a law, with immediate provisions concerning
the promulgation of rules and regulations.