§ 365-a. Character and adequacy of assistance. The amount, nature and manner of providing medical assistance for needy persons shall be determined by the public welfare official with the advice of a physician and in accordance with the local medical plan, this title, and the regulations of the department.

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1. "Benchmark coverage" shall mean payment of part or all of the cost of medically necessary medical, dental, and remedial care, services, and supplies described in subdivision two of this section, and to the extent not included therein, any essential benefits as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 18022(b), with the exception of institutional long term care services; such care, services and supplies shall be provided consistent with the managed care program described in section three hundred sixty-four-j of this title.

2. "Standard coverage" shall mean payment of part or all of the cost of medically necessary medical, dental and remedial care, services and supplies, as authorized in this title or the regulations of the department, which are necessary to prevent, diagnose, correct or cure conditions in the person that cause acute suffering, endanger life, result in illness or infirmity, interfere with such person's capacity for normal activity, or threaten some significant handicap and which are furnished an eligible person in accordance with this title and the regulations of the department. Such care, services and supplies shall include the following medical care, services and supplies, together with such medical care, services and supplies provided for in subdivisions three, four and five of this section, and such medical care, services and supplies as are authorized in the regulations of the department:

(a) services of qualified physicians, dentists, nurses, and private duty nursing services shall be further subject to the provisions of section three hundred sixty-seven-o of this chapter, optometrists, and other related professional personnel;

(b) care, treatment, maintenance and nursing services in hospitals, nursing homes that qualify as providers in the medicare program pursuant to title XVIII of the federal social security act, infirmaries or other eligible medical institutions, and health-related care and services in intermediate care facilities, while operated in compliance with applicable provisions of this chapter, the public health law, the mental hygiene law and other laws, including any provision thereof requiring an operating certificate or license, or where such facilities are not conveniently accessible, in hospitals located without the state; provided, however, that care, treatment, maintenance and nursing services in nursing homes or in intermediate care facilities, including those operated by the state department of mental hygiene or any other state department or agency, shall, for persons who are receiving or who are eligible for medical assistance under provisions of subparagraph four of paragraph (a) of subdivision one of section three hundred sixty-six of this chapter, be limited to such periods of time as may be determined necessary in accordance with a utilization review procedure established by the state commissioner of health providing for a review of medical necessity, in the case of skilled nursing care, every thirty days for the first ninety days and every ninety days thereafter, and in the case of care in an intermediate care facility, at least every six months, or more frequently if indicated at the time of the last review, consistent with federal utilization review requirements; provided, further, that in-patient care, services and supplies in a general hospital shall not exceed such standards as the commissioner of health shall promulgate but in no case greater than twenty days per spell of illness during which all or any part of the cost of such care, services and supplies are claimed as an item of medical assistance, unless it shall have been determined in accordance with procedures and criteria established by such commissioner that a further identifiable period of in-patient general hospital care is required for particular patients to preserve life or to prevent substantial risks of continuing disability; provided further, that in-patient care, services and supplies in a general hospital shall, in the case of a person admitted to such a facility on a Friday or Saturday, be deemed to include only those in-patient days beginning with and following the Sunday after such date of admission, unless such care, services and supplies are furnished for an actual medical emergency or pre-operative care for surgery as provided in paragraph (d) of subdivision five of this section, or are furnished because of the necessity of emergency or urgent surgery for the alleviation of severe pain or the necessity for immediate diagnosis or treatment of conditions which threaten disability or death if not promptly diagnosed or treated; provided, however, in-patient days of a general hospital admission beginning on a Friday or a Saturday shall be included commencing with the day of admission in a general hospital which the commissioner or his designee has found to be rendering and which continues to render full service on a seven day a week basis which determination shall be made after taking into consideration such factors as the routine availability of operating room services, diagnostic services and consultants, laboratory services, radiological services, pharmacy services, staff patterns consistent with full services and such other factors as the commissioner or his designee deems necessary and appropriate; provided, further, that in-patient care, services and supplies in a general hospital shall not include care, services and supplies furnished to patients for certain uncomplicated procedures which may be performed on an out-patient basis in accordance with regulations of the commissioner of health, unless the person or body designated by such commissioner determines that the medical condition of the individual patient requires that the procedure be performed on an in-patient basis;

(c) out-patient hospital or clinic services in facilities operated in compliance with applicable provisions of this chapter, the public health law, the mental hygiene law and other laws, including any provisions thereof requiring an operating certificate or license, including facilities authorized by the appropriate licensing authority to provide integrated mental health services, and/or alcoholism and substance abuse services, and/or physical health services, and/or services to persons with developmental disabilities, when such services are provided at a single location or service site, or where such facilities are not conveniently accessible, in any hospital located within the state and care and services in a day treatment program operated by the department of mental hygiene or by a voluntary agency under an agreement with such department in that part of a public institution operated and approved pursuant to law as an intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities; and provided, that the commissioners of health, mental health, alcoholism and substance abuse services and the office for people with developmental disabilities may issue regulations, including emergency regulations promulgated prior to October first, two thousand fifteen that are required to facilitate the establishment of integrated services clinics. Any such regulations promulgated under this paragraph shall be described in the annual report required pursuant to section forty-five-c of part A of chapter fifty-six of the laws of two thousand thirteen;

(d) home health services provided in a recipient's home and prescribed by a physician including services of a nurse provided on a part-time or intermittent basis rendered by an approved home health agency or if no such agency is available, by a registered nurse, licensed to practice in this state, acting under the written orders of a physician and home health aide service by an individual or shared aide provided by an approved home health agency when such services are determined to be cost effective and appropriate to meet the recipient's needs for assistance subject to the provisions of section three hundred sixty-seven-j and section three hundred sixty-seven-o of this title;

(e) (i) personal care services, including personal emergency response services, shared aide and an individual aide, subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of this paragraph, furnished to an individual who is not an inpatient or resident of a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities, or institution for mental disease, as determined to meet the recipient's needs for assistance when cost effective and appropriate, and when prescribed by a qualified independent physician selected or approved by the department of health, in accordance with the recipient's plan of treatment and provided by individuals who are qualified to provide such services, who are supervised by a registered nurse and who are not members of the recipient's family, and furnished in the recipient's home or other location;

(ii) the commissioner is authorized to adopt standards, pursuant to emergency regulation, for the provision, management and assessment of services available under this paragraph for individuals whose need for such services exceeds a specified level to be determined by the commissioner, and who with the provision of such services is capable of safely remaining in the community in accordance with the standards set forth in Olmstead v. LC by Zimring, 527 US 581 (1999) and consider whether an individual is capable of safely remaining in the community;

(iii) the commissioner shall provide assistance to persons receiving services under this paragraph who are transitioning to receiving care from a managed long term care plan certified pursuant to § 4403-f of the public health law, consistent with subdivision thirty-one of section three hundred sixty-four-j of this title;

(iv) personal care services available pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed eight hours per week for individuals whose needs are limited to nutritional and environmental support functions;

(v) subject to the availability of federal financial participation, personal care services other than personal emergency response services available pursuant to this paragraph shall be available only to individuals assessed as needing at least limited assistance with physical maneuvering with more than two activities of daily living, or for individuals with a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis, assessed as needing at least supervision with more than one activity of daily living, as defined and determined by using an evidenced based validated assessment instrument approved by the commissioner and in accordance with regulations of the department and any applicable state and federal laws by an independent assessor. The provisions of this subparagraph shall only apply to individuals who receive an initial authorization for such services on or after October first, two thousand twenty;

(vi) In establishing any standards for the provision, management or assessment of personal care services the state shall meet the standards set forth in Olmstead v. LC by Zimring, 527 US 581 (1999) and consider whether an individual is capable of safely remaining in the community;

(f) preventive, prophylactic and other routine dental care, services and supplies;

(g) sickroom supplies, eyeglasses, prosthetic appliances and dental prosthetic appliances furnished in accordance with the regulations of the department; provided further that: (i) the commissioner of health is authorized to implement a preferred diabetic supply program wherein the department of health will receive enhanced rebates from preferred manufacturers of glucometers and test strips, and may subject non-preferred manufacturers' glucometers and test strips to prior authorization under § 273 of the public health law; (ii) enteral formula therapy and nutritional supplements are limited to coverage only for nasogastric, jejunostomy, or gastrostomy tube feeding, for treatment of an inborn metabolic disorder, or to address growth and development problems in children, or, subject to standards established by the commissioner, for persons with a diagnosis of HIV infection, AIDS or HIV-related illness or other diseases and conditions; (iii) prescription footwear and inserts are limited to coverage only when used as an integral part of a lower limb orthotic appliance, as part of a diabetic treatment plan, or to address growth and development problems in children; (iv) compression and support stockings are limited to coverage only for pregnancy or treatment of venous stasis ulcers; and (v) the commissioner of health is authorized to implement an incontinence supply utilization management program to reduce costs without limiting access through the existing provider network, including but not limited to single or multiple source contracts or, a preferred incontinence supply program wherein the department of health will receive enhanced rebates from preferred manufacturers of incontinence supplies, and may subject non-preferred manufacturers' incontinence supplies to prior approval pursuant to regulations of the department, provided any necessary approvals under federal law have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in the costs of incontinence supplies provided pursuant to this subparagraph;

(g-1) drugs provided on an in-patient basis, those drugs contained on the list established by regulation of the commissioner of health pursuant to subdivision four of this section, and those drugs which may not be dispensed without a prescription as required by § 6810 of the education law and which the commissioner of health shall determine to be reimbursable based upon such factors as the availability of such drugs or alternatives at low cost if purchased by a medicaid recipient, or the essential nature of such drugs as described by such commissioner in regulations, provided, however, that such drugs, exclusive of long-term maintenance drugs, shall be dispensed in quantities no greater than a thirty day supply or one hundred doses, whichever is greater; provided further that the commissioner of health is authorized to require prior authorization for any refill of a prescription when more than a ten day supply of the previously dispensed amount should remain were the product used as normally indicated, or in the case of a controlled substance, as defined in § 3302 of the public health law, when more than a seven day supply of the previously dispensed amount should remain were the product used as normally indicated; provided further that the commissioner of health is authorized to require prior authorization of prescriptions of opioid analgesics in excess of four prescriptions in a thirty-day period in accordance with § 273 of the public health law; medical assistance shall not include any drug provided on other than an in-patient basis for which a recipient is charged or a claim is made in the case of a prescription drug, in excess of the maximum reimbursable amounts to be established by department regulations in accordance with standards established by the secretary of the United States department of health and human services, or, in the case of a drug not requiring a prescription, in excess of the maximum reimbursable amount established by the commissioner of health pursuant to paragraph (a) of subdivision four of this section;

(h) speech therapy, and when provided at the direction of a physician or nurse practitioner, physical therapy including related rehabilitative services and occupational therapy;

(i) laboratory and x-ray services; and

(j) transportation when essential and appropriate to obtain medical care, services and supplies otherwise available under the medical assistance program in accordance with this section, upon prior authorization, except when required in order to obtain emergency care, and when not otherwise available to the recipient free of charge or through a transportation program implemented pursuant to section three hundred sixty-five-h of this title and approved by the commissioner of health for which federal financial participation is claimed as an administrative cost;

* (k) care and services furnished by an entity offering a comprehensive health services plan, including an entity that has received a certificate of authority pursuant to sections forty-four hundred three, forty-four hundred three-a or forty-four hundred eight-a of the public health law (as added by chapter six hundred thirty-nine of the laws of nineteen hundred ninety-six) or a health maintenance organization authorized under Article 43 of the insurance law, to eligible individuals residing in the geographic area served by such entity, when such services are furnished in accordance with an agreement approved by the department which meets the requirements of federal law and regulations.

* NB Effective until December 31, 2024

* (k) care and services furnished by an entity offering a comprehensive health services plan to eligible individuals residing in the geographic area served by such entity, when such services are furnished in accordance with an agreement approved by the department which meets the requirements of federal law and regulations.

* NB Effective December 31, 2024

(l) care and services of podiatrists which care and services shall only be provided upon referral by a physician, nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife in accordance with the program of early and periodic screening and diagnosis established pursuant to subdivision three of this section or to persons eligible for benefits under title XVIII of the federal social security act as qualified medicare beneficiaries in accordance with federal requirements therefor and private duty nurses which care and services shall only be provided in accordance with regulations of the department of health; provided, however, that private duty nursing services shall not be restricted when such services are more appropriate and cost-effective than nursing services provided by a home health agency pursuant to section three hundred sixty-seven-l;

(m) hospice services provided by a hospice certified pursuant to Article 40 of the public health law, to the extent that federal financial participation is available, and, notwithstanding federal financial participation and any provision of law or regulation to the contrary, for hospice services provided pursuant to the hospice supplemental financial assistance program for persons with special needs as provided for in Article 40 of the public health law.

* (n) care and services of audiologists provided in accordance with regulations of the department of health.

* NB There are two ¶ (n)'s

* (n) care, treatment, maintenance and rehabilitation services that would otherwise qualify for reimbursement pursuant to this chapter to persons suffering from alcoholism in alcoholism facilities or chemical dependence, as such term is defined in § 1.03 of the mental hygiene law, in inpatient chemical dependence facilities, services, or programs operated in compliance with applicable provisions of this chapter and the mental hygiene law, and certified by the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services, provided however that such services shall be limited to such periods of time as may be determined necessary in accordance with a utilization review procedure established by the commissioner of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services and provided further, that this paragraph shall not apply to any hospital or part of a hospital as defined in § 2801 of the public health law.

* NB There are two ¶ (n)'s

* (o) care and services furnished by a managed long term care plan or approved managed long term care demonstration pursuant to the provisions of § 4403-f of the public health law to eligible individuals residing in the geographic area served by such entity, when such services are furnished in accordance with an agreement with the department of health and meet the applicable requirements of federal law and regulation.

* NB Repealed December 31, 2024

(p) targeted case management services provided to children who

(i) are eighteen years of age or under; and

(ii) either

(1) are physically disabled, according to the federal supplemental security income program criteria, including but not limited to a person who is multiply disabled; or

(2) have a developmental disability, as defined in subdivision twenty-two of § 1.03 of the mental hygiene law and demonstrate complex health needs as defined in paragraph c of subdivision seven of section three hundred sixty-six of this title; or

(3) have a mental illness, as defined in subdivision twenty of § 1.03 of the mental hygiene law and demonstrate complex health or mental health care needs as defined in paragraph d of subdivision nine of section three hundred sixty-six of this title; and

(iii) require the level of care provided by an intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled, a nursing facility, a hospital or any other institution; and

(iv) are capable of being cared for in the community if provided with case management services and/or other services provided under this title; and

(v) are capable of being cared for in the community at less cost than in the appropriate institutional setting; and

(vi) are not receiving services under section three hundred sixty-seven-c of this title and for whom services provided under section three hundred sixty-seven-a of this title are not available or sufficient to support the children's care in the community.

(q) diabetes self-management training services for persons diagnosed with diabetes when such services are ordered by a physician, registered physician assistant, registered nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife and provided by a licensed, registered, or certified health care professional, as determined by the commissioner of health, who is certified as a diabetes educator by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators, or a successor national certification board, or provided by such a professional who is affiliated with a program certified by the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the Indian Health Services, or any other national accreditation organization approved by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not take effect unless all necessary approvals under federal law and regulation have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in the costs of health care services provided pursuant to this paragraph. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify any licensure, certification or scope of practice provision under title eight of the education law.

(r) asthma self-management training services for persons diagnosed with asthma when such services are ordered by a physician, registered physician's assistant, registered nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife and provided by a licensed, registered, or certified health care professional, as determined by the commissioner of health, who is certified as an asthma educator by the National Asthma Educator Certification Board, or a successor national certification board; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not take effect unless all necessary approvals under federal law and regulation have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in the costs of health care services provided pursuant to this paragraph. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify any licensure, certification or scope of practice provision under title eight of the education law.

(s) smoking cessation counseling services; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not take effect unless all necessary approvals under federal law and regulation have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in the costs of such services.

(t) cardiac rehabilitation services when ordered by the attending physician and provided in a hospital-based or free-standing clinic in an area set aside for cardiac rehabilitation, or in a physician's office; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph relating to cardiac rehabilitation services shall not take effect unless all necessary approvals under federal law and regulation have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in the costs of such services.

(u) screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment of individuals at risk for substance abuse including referral to the appropriate level of intervention and treatment in a community setting; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph relating to screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment services shall not take effect unless all necessary approvals under federal law and regulation have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in such costs.

(v) administration of vaccinations in a pharmacy by a certified pharmacist within his or her scope of practice.

(w) podiatry services for individuals with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not take effect unless all necessary approvals under federal law and regulation have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in the costs of health care services provided pursuant to this paragraph.

(x)(i) lactation counseling services for pregnant and postpartum women when such services are ordered by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or midwife and provided by a qualified lactation care provider, as determined by the commissioner of health; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not take effect unless all necessary approvals under federal law and regulation have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in the costs of health care services provided pursuant to this paragraph. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify any licensure, certification or scope of practice provision under title eight of the education law.

(ii) for the purposes of this paragraph, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) "Qualified lactation care provider" shall mean a person who possesses current certification as a lactation care provider from a certification program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

(2) "Nationally recognized accrediting agency" shall mean a nationally recognized accrediting agency designated by the commissioner; provided that the commissioner shall designate more than one agency.

(y) harm reduction counseling and services to reduce or minimize the adverse health consequences associated with drug use, provided by a qualified drug treatment program or community-based organization, as determined by the commissioner of health; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not take effect unless all necessary approvals under federal law and regulation have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in the costs of health care services provided pursuant to this paragraph. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify any licensure, certification or scope of practice provision under title eight of the education law.

(z) hepatitis C wrap-around services to promote care coordination and integration when ordered by a physician, registered physician assistant, registered nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife, and provided by a qualified professional, as determined by the commissioner of health. Such services may include client outreach, identification and recruitment, hepatitis C education and counseling, coordination of care and adherence to treatment, assistance in obtaining appropriate entitlement services, peer support and other supportive services; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not take effect unless all necessary approvals under federal law and regulation have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in the costs of health care services provided pursuant to this paragraph. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify any licensure, certification or scope of practice provision under title eight of the education law.

** (aa) care and services furnished by a developmental disability individual support and care coordination organization (DISCO) that has received a certificate of authority pursuant to § 4403-g of the public health law to eligible individuals residing in the geographic area served by such entity, when such services are furnished in accordance with an agreement approved by the department of health which meets the requirements of federal law and regulations.

* NB Repealed December 31, 2025

(bb) Subject to the availability of federal financial participation, services and supports authorized by the federal regulations governing the Home and Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports State Plan Option (Community First Choice) pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1396n(k).

(cc) care and services for surgical first assistant services provided by a registered nurse first assistant provided that: (i) the registered nurse first assistant is certified in operating room nursing; (ii) the services are within the scope of practice of a non-physician surgical first assistant; and (iii) the terms and conditions of the policy or contract otherwise provide for the coverage of the services. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the medical management or utilization review of the services; prevent a policy or contract from requiring that services are to be provided through a network of participating providers who meet certain requirements for participation, including provider credentialing; or prohibit an insurer from providing a global or capitated payment or electing to directly reimburse a non-physician surgical first assistant for the services, as otherwise permitted by law.

(dd) pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM), which may include fortifiers as medically indicated, for inpatient use, for which a licensed medical practitioner has issued an order for an infant who is medically or physically unable to receive maternal breast milk or participate in breast feeding or whose mother is medically or physically unable to produce maternal breast milk at all or in sufficient quantities or participate in breast feeding despite optimal lactation support. Such infant shall: (i) have a documented birth weight of less than one thousand five hundred grams; or (ii) have a congenital or acquired condition that places the infant at a high risk for development of necrotizing enterocolitis; or (iii) have a congenital or acquired condition that may benefit from the use of donor breast milk as determined by the commissioner of health or his or her designee.

(ee) Medical assistance shall include the coverage of a set of services to ensure improved outcomes of women who are in the process of ovulation enhancing drugs, limited to the provision of such treatment, office visits, hysterosalpingogram services, pelvic ultrasounds, and blood testing; services shall be limited to those necessary to monitor such treatment. In the event that ninety percent federal financial participation for such services is not available, the state share of appropriations related to these services shall be used for a grant program intended to accomplish the purpose of this section.

(ff) evidence-based prevention and support services recognized by the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), provided by a community-based organization, and designed to prevent individuals at risk of developing diabetes from developing Type 2 diabetes.

* (gg) addiction and mental health services and supports provided by facilities licensed pursuant to Article thirty-six of the mental hygiene law.

* NB There are 3 par (gg)'s

* (gg) all buprenorphine products, methadone or long acting injectable naltrexone for detoxification or maintenance treatment of a substance use disorder prescribed according to generally accepted national professional guidelines for the treatment of a substance use disorder. Such medication assisted treatment shall not be subject to any prior authorization mandate.

* NB There are 3 par (gg)'s

* (gg) care and services provided by mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists licensed pursuant to Article one hundred sixty-three of the education law acting within their scope of practice, where such services would otherwise be covered under this title. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify or expand the scope of practice of a mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist licensed pursuant to Article one hundred sixty-three of the education law.

* NB There are 3 par (gg)'s

(hh) The commissioner is authorized to establish one or more maternal health promotion pilot programs in one or more counties or regions of the state, for the purpose of providing Medicaid reimbursement of the prenatal maternal childbirth education and preparation classes for enrollees, and transportation to and from such classes, for the purpose of improving maternal outcomes and reducing maternal-infant mortality. The commissioner is authorized to establish fees for the reimbursement of such classes, subject to the approval of the state director of the budget.

(ii) Care and services provided by clinical social workers licensed pursuant to Article one hundred fifty-four of the education law acting within their scope of practice, where such services would otherwise be covered under this title.

* (jj) pre-natal and post-partum care and services for the purpose of improving maternal health outcomes and reduction of maternal mortality when such services are recommended by a physician or other health care practitioner authorized under title eight of the education law, and provided by qualified practitioners. Such services shall include but not be limited to nutrition services provided by certified dietitians and certified nutritionists; care coordination, case management, and peer support; patient navigation services; services by licensed clinical social workers; dyadic services; Bluetooth-enabled devices for remote patient monitoring; and other services determined by the commissioner of health; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not take effect unless there is federal financial participation. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify any licensure, certification or scope of practice provision under title eight of the education law.

* NB There are 2 par (jj)'s

* (jj) applied behavior analysis, under Article one hundred sixty-seven of the education law, provided by a person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide applied behavior analysis under that article.

* NB There are 2 par (jj)'s

* (kk) community health worker services which shall include, but not be limited to, culturally appropriate patient education, health care navigation, care coordination including the development of a care plan, patient advocacy, and support services for the management of chronic conditions for children under age twenty-one, and for adults with health-related social needs, when such services are recommended by a physician or other health care practitioner authorized under title eight of the education law, and provided by qualified community health workers, as determined by the commissioner of health; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not take effect unless all necessary approvals under federal law and regulation have been obtained to receive federal financial participation in the costs of health care services provided pursuant to this paragraph. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify any licensure, certification or scope of practice provision under title eight of the education law.

* NB There are 2 par (kk)'s

* (kk) care and services of nutritionists and dietitians certified pursuant to Article one hundred fifty-seven of the education law acting within their scope of practice.

* NB There are 2 par (kk)'s

(ll) Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for persons diagnosed with arthritis when such services are ordered by a physician, registered physician's assistant, registered nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife and provided by qualified educators, as determined by the commissioner of health, subject to federal financial participation. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to modify any licensure, certification or scope of practice provision under title eight of the education law.

* (mm) (i) biomarker precision medical testing for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, or appropriate management of, or ongoing monitoring to guide treatment decisions for, a recipient's disease or condition when one or more of the following recognizes the efficacy and appropriateness of biomarker precision medical testing for diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or guiding treatment decisions for a recipient's disease or condition:

(1) labeled indications for a test approved or cleared by the federal food and drug administration or indicated tests for a food and drug administration approved drug;

(2) centers for medicare and medicaid services national coverage determinations or medicare administrative contractor local coverage determinations;

(3) nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines; or

(4) peer-reviewed literature and peer-reviewed scientific studies published in or accepted for publication by medical journals that meet nationally recognized requirements for scientific manuscripts and that submit most of their published articles for review by experts who are not part of the editorial staff.

(ii) As used in this paragraph, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) "Biomarker" means a characteristic that is measured as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or responses to an exposure or intervention, including therapeutic interventions.

(2) "Biomarker precision medical testing" means the analysis of a patient's tissue, blood, or other biospecimen for the presence of a biomarker. Biomarker testing includes but is not limited to single-analyte tests and multi-plex panel tests performed at a participating in-network laboratory facility that is either CLIA certified or CLIA waived by the federal food and drug administration.

(3) "Nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines" means evidence-based clinical practice guidelines informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits, and risks of alternative care options intended to optimize patient care developed by independent organizations or medical professional societies utilizing a transparent methodology and reporting structure and with a conflict of interest policy.

* NB Effective January 1, 2025

3. Any inconsistent provisions of this section notwithstanding, medical assistance shall include:

(a) early and periodic screening and diagnosis of eligible persons under six years of age and, in accordance with federal law and regulations, early and periodic screening and diagnosis of eligible persons under twenty-one years of age to ascertain physical and mental disabilities; and

(b) care and treatment of disabilities and conditions discovered by such screening and diagnosis including such care, services and supplies as the commissioner shall by regulation require to the extent necessary to conform to applicable federal law and regulations.

(c) screening, diagnosis, care and treatment of disabilities and conditions discovered by such screening and diagnosis of eligible persons ages three to twenty-one, inclusive, including such care, services and supplies as the commissioner shall by regulation require to the extent necessary to conform to applicable federal law and regulations, provided that such screening, diagnosis, care and treatment shall include the provision of evaluations and related services rendered pursuant to Article eighty-nine of the education law and regulations of the commissioner of education by persons qualified to provide such services thereunder.

(d) family planning services and twelve months of supplies for eligible persons of childbearing age, including children under twenty-one years of age who can be considered sexually active, who desire such services and supplies, in accordance with the requirements of federal law and regulations and the regulations of the department. Coverage of prescription contraceptives shall include a twelve-month supply that may be dispensed at one time or up to twelve times within one year from the date of the prescription. No person shall be compelled or coerced to accept such services or supplies.

4. Any inconsistent provision of law notwithstanding, medical assistance shall not include, unless required by federal law and regulation as a condition of qualifying for federal financial participation in the medicaid program, the following items of care, services and supplies:

(a) drugs which may be dispensed without a prescription as required by § 6810 of the education law; provided, however, that the state commissioner of health may by regulation specify certain of such drugs which may be reimbursed as an item of medical assistance in accordance with the price schedule established by such commissioner. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, additions to the list of drugs reimbursable under this paragraph may be filed as regulations by the commissioner of health without prior notice and comment;

(a-1) (i) a brand name drug for which a multi-source therapeutically and generically equivalent drug, as determined by the federal food and drug administration, is available, unless previously authorized by the department of health. The commissioner of health is authorized to exempt, for good cause shown, any brand name drug from the restrictions imposed by this subparagraph;

(ii) notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the commissioner is authorized to deny reimbursement for a generic equivalent, including a generic equivalent that is on the preferred drug list or the clinical drug review program, when the net cost of the brand name drug, after consideration of all rebates, is less than the cost of the generic equivalent, unless prior authorization is obtained under § 273 of the public health law;

(a-2) drugs which may not be dispensed without a prescription as required by § 6810 of the education law, and which are non preferred drugs pursuant to § 272 of the public health law, or the clinical drug review program under § 274 of the public health law, unless prior authorization is granted or not required;

(b) care and services of chiropractors and supplies related to the practice of chiropractic, except as provided for by the commissioner pursuant to a pilot program approved under federal law and regulation;

(c) care and services of an optometrist for using drugs in excess of the maximum reimbursable amounts for optometric care and services established by the commissioner and approved by the director of the budget;

(d) any medical care, services or supplies furnished outside the state, except, when prior authorized in accordance with department regulations or for care, services and supplies furnished: as a result of a medical emergency; because the recipient's health would have been endangered if he or she had been required to travel to the state; because the care, services or supplies were more readily available in the other state; or because it is the general practice for persons residing in the locality wherein the recipient resides to use medical providers in the other state;

(e) drugs, procedures and supplies for the treatment of erectile dysfunction when provided to, or prescribed for use by, a person who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Article 6-C of the correction law, provided that any denial of coverage pursuant to this paragraph shall provide the patient with the means of obtaining additional information concerning both the denial and the means of challenging such denial; or

(f) drugs for the treatment of sexual or erectile dysfunction, unless such drugs are used to treat a condition, other than sexual or erectile dysfunction, for which the drugs have been approved by the federal food and drug administration.

(g) for eligible persons who are also beneficiaries under part D of title XVIII of the federal social security act, drugs which are denominated as "covered part D drugs" under section 1860D-2(e) of such act.

(h) opioids prescribed in violation of the treatment plan standards of subdivision eight of § 3331 of the public health law or treatment plan standards as otherwise required by the commissioner.

5. (a) Medical assistance shall include surgical benefits for emergency or urgent surgery for the alleviation of severe pain, for immediate diagnosis or treatment of conditions which threaten disability or death if not promptly diagnosed or treated.

(b) Medical assistance shall include surgical benefits for certain surgical procedures which meet standards for surgical intervention, as established by the state commissioner of health on the basis of medically indicated risk factors, and medically necessary surgery where delay in surgical intervention would substantially increase the medical risk associated with such surgical intervention.

(c) Medical assistance shall include surgical benefits for other deferrable surgical procedures specified by the state commissioner of health, based on the likelihood that deferral of such procedures for six months or more may jeopardize life or essential function, or cause severe pain; provided, however, such deferrable surgical procedures shall be included in the case of in-patient surgery only when a second written opinion is obtained from a physician, or as otherwise prescribed, in accordance with regulations established by the state commissioner of health, that such surgery should not be deferred.

(d) Medical assistance shall include a maximum of one patient day of pre-operative hospital care for surgery authorized by paragraphs (b) or (c) of this subdivision; provided, however, that with respect to specific surgical procedures which the state commissioner of health has identified as requiring more than one patient day of pre-operative care, medical assistance shall include such longer maximum period of pre-operative care as such commissioner has identified as necessary.

(e) Medical assistance shall not include any in-patient surgical procedures or any care, services or supplies related to such surgery other than those authorized by this subdivision.

6. Any inconsistent provision of law notwithstanding, medical assistance shall also include payment for medical care, services or supplies furnished to eligible pregnant women pursuant to paragraph (o) of subdivision four of section three hundred sixty-six and subdivision six of section three hundred sixty-four-i of this title, to the extent that and for so long as federal financial participation is available therefor; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect payment for such medical care, services or supplies if federal financial participation is not available for such care, services and supplies solely by reason of the immigration status of the otherwise eligible pregnant woman.

7. Medical assistance shall also include disproportionate share payments to general hospitals under the public health law.

8. When a non-governmental entity is authorized by the department pursuant to contract or subcontract to make prior authorization or prior approval determinations that may be required for any item of medical assistance, a recipient may challenge any action taken or failure to act in connection with a prior authorization or prior approval determination as if such determination were made by a government entity, and shall be entitled to the same medical assistance benefits and standards and to the same notice and procedural due process rights, including a right to a fair hearing and aid continuing pursuant to section twenty-two of this chapter, as if the prior authorization or prior approval determination were made by a government entity, without regard to expiration of the prior service authorization.

9. (a) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, any utilization controls on occupational therapy or physical therapy, including but not limited to, prior approval of services, utilization thresholds or other limitations imposed on such therapy services in relation to a chronic condition in clinics certified under Article 28 of the public health law or Article sixteen of the mental hygiene law shall be: (i) developed by the department of health in concurrence with the office for people with developmental disabilities; and (ii) in accord with nationally recognized professional standards. In the event that nationally recognized professional standards do not exist, such thresholds shall be based upon the reasonably recognized professional standards of those with a specific expertise in treating individuals served by clinics certified under Article 28 of the public health law or Article sixteen of the mental hygiene law.

(b) Prior approval by the department of health of a physical therapy evaluation or an occupational therapy evaluation by a qualified practitioner practicing within the scope of such practitioner's licensure shall not be required. The department may require prior approval for treatment as recommended by such an evaluation. In the event that prior approval is required, and the department fails to make a determination within eight days of presentation of a treatment request for physical or occupational therapy services, the department shall automatically approve four therapy visits. In the case of any denial of a prior approval request for physical therapy or occupational therapy, the department shall provide a reasonable opportunity for the qualified practitioner to provide his or her assessment of the beneficiary's physical and functional status as documented in a treatment plan with reasonable and obtainable goals. If, upon completion of such four therapy visits, the department has not yet rendered a determination on the request for physical or occupational therapy services, the department shall automatically approve an additional four therapy visits. Subsequent automatic approvals shall be issued in the same manner until such time as the department issues a determination, but in no event shall such approvals exceed the number of services or the period of time recommended by the evaluation. If the qualified practitioner provides documentation that is in accord with reasonably recognized professional standards, the recommended treatment plan shall be final, and the prior approval request shall be approved.

10. The department of health shall establish or procure the services of an independent assessor or assessors no later than October 1, 2022, in a manner and schedule as determined by the commissioner of health, to take over from local departments of social services, Medicaid Managed Care providers, and Medicaid managed long term care plans performance of assessments and reassessments required for determining individuals' needs for personal care services, including as provided through the consumer directed personal assistance program, and other services or programs available pursuant to the state's medical assistance program as determined by such commissioner for the purpose of improving efficiency, quality, and reliability in assessment and to determine individuals' eligibility for Medicaid managed long term care plans. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 163 of the state finance law, or sections one hundred forty-two and one hundred forty-three of the economic development law, or any contrary provision of law, contracts may be entered or the commissioner may amend and extend the terms of a contract awarded prior to the effective date and entered into to conduct enrollment broker and conflict-free evaluation services for the Medicaid program, if such contract or contract amendment is for the purpose of procuring such assessment services from an independent assessor. Contracts entered into, amended, or extended pursuant to this subdivision shall not remain in force beyond September 30, 2025.