The New York Chapter continues to advocate on behalf of surgeons and their patients by partnering with the Medical State Society of NY and specialty societies to share its concerns and supports for several proposals found in this year's Governor's Budget. Below is an at-a-glance of the issue. Visit our website to see all of the legislative proposals we are following.

•  Elimination of Physician Right to Bring a Claim Dispute to IDR Process
  There is a proposal within Part H of the Governor's Executive Budget Health & Mental Hygiene bill that would eliminate the right of physicians to bring a claim dispute to the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process for various public health insurance plans.  The Chapter signed onto a joint letter opposing the prohibition to bring out of network Medicaid Managed care payment disputes to IDR.
  

• Include Telehealth Payment Parity in Governor's Budget
  The COVID-19 public health emergency triggered a significant, and necessary shift in how patients receive health care, with telemedicine becoming an essential lifeline for patients to consult with their physicians. It did not, however, replace the need for face-to-face visits. The law for payment parity is scheduled to expire on April 1, 2024. The Chapter signed onto a joint letter urging the Governor to make the telehealth payment parity law permanent for all physicians.
  

• Repeal of Prescriber Prevails in the Budget
  The Governor's budget includes a proposal that will repeal of the authority of physicians and other qualified prescribers to make a final determination regarding medication prescribed to individuals covered under Medicaid Fee-for-Service and Medicaid Managed Care, commonly referred to as “prescriber prevails.”  The Chapter signed on to a joint letter opposing the advancement of this proposal.