BILL NUMBER: S4299
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to the care
and treatment of injured employees by licensed or certified acupunctu-
rists
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill authorizes the care and treatment of injured employees by a
duly licensed and registered acupuncturist upon the referral of an
authorized physician under the workers' compensation program.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new Section 13-q to the Workers' compensation law to
include licensed acupuncturists as eligible providers of treatment under
the workers' compensation program.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The medical field of acupuncture provides positive health benefits to
patients where traditional treatments have not been successful. The
opportunity for patients to receive acupuncture services should not be
denied in cases where physicians determine that the patient would bene-
fit from the treatment.
Acupuncturists in New York are granted licensure upon demonstration that
they possess the professional skills and expertise required to assure
quality of care and responsible practice of medicine. To be licensed in
New York, acupuncturists not only must have national certification, and
meet state education requirements, but they must also have extensive
acupuncture clinical experience in general health problems, diagnosis
and treatment.
Current state workers' Compensation law allows for only licensed physi-
clans and psychologists to be reimbursed for services. This bill allows
those patients who would benefit most to receive specialized medical
treatment from qualified acupuncturists. The bill would not result in
increased costs to the state, since the need for acupuncture would be
determined by a physician as an alternative to other treatments, and not
by the patient.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S6775- Referred to Labor
2021-22: S.5288 - Referred to Labor
2019-20: S.4547/A2183 - Referred to Labor
2017-18: S.3434/ A854 - REFERRED TO LABOR
2015-16: S.1490/A.2541 - Referred to Labor
2013-14: S.803/A.285 - Referred to Labor
2011-12: S.7397/A.5217A - Referred to Labor
2009-10: A.5289
2007-08: A.11198A
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.