S 7833: Directs the commissioner of health to establish or approve an add-on rate for pediatric practices implementing the HealthySteps model.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 7833 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE May 9, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. CLEARE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to enhanced reimbursement rates for pediatric practices that are partnered with the HealthySteps program The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Legislative intent. In order to improve quality and promote 2 access to whole-child care, it is the policy of the state to encourage 3 HealthySteps implementation in pediatric practices for the purpose of 4 increasing access to evidenced-based screenings, health promotion and 5 prevention services, and connections to supports for the family. 6 § 2. Section 2807 of the public health law is amended by adding a new 7 subdivision 22 to read as follows: 8 22. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule or regulation to 9 the contrary, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this 10 subdivision and to the availability of federal financial participation, 11 the commissioner shall establish or approve an enhanced rate methodology 12 for pediatric practices that are partnered with the HealthySteps 13 program, for the purposes of advancing pediatric screenings, promotion 14 of behavioral health, and prevention and treatment of behavioral health 15 issues in children. 16 (b) To be eligible for the enhanced rate methodology established or 17 approved pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision, a pediatric 18 practice that is partnered with the HealthySteps program shall have 19 process and outcome standards that meet or exceed HealthySteps program- 20 specific fidelity criteria. 21 (c) For the purposes of this subdivision, the following terms shall 22 have the following meanings: 23 (i) "Pediatric practice" means a provider providing pediatric care, as 24 defined by section three thousand seventy-three of this chapter. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD11507-01-5 
 S. 7833 2 1 (ii) "HealthySteps program" means the nationally recognized program 2 consisting of a network of pediatric practices implementing the model of 3 pediatric care developed by the nonprofit organization Zero to Three. 4 § 3. This act shall take effect April 1, 2026. Effective immediately, 5 the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation neces- 6 sary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are 7 authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.