205.000 MENTAL ILLNESS

(See also Health Insurance Coverage, 120.000; National Practitioner Data Bank, 210.000; Public Health & Safety 260.000)

205.987            Improved Payment for and Prioritization of Mental Health Services

The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) supports legislation or regulation to improve access to mental health and addiction services in New York State by increasing payments to providers by private insurers and Medicaid, including primary care clinicians such as internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology. MSSNY will continue its advocacy efforts with the New York Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and New York State Office of Mental Health to make access to mental health services a major public health priority. (HOD 2022-153)

205.988           COVID-Related Mental Health Coverage

MSSNY will support legislation and/or regulation to ensure that there is coverage for a full continuum of services to treat mental health illnesses brough on by the COVID-19 pandemic. MSSNY supports legislation and/or regulation that will eliminate the outpatient and inpatient limits and equalize co-payments and deductibles for mental health coverage. (HOD 2021-104)

205.989           Third Party Payment for Evaluation and Management of Developmental Disorders

The Medical Society of the State of New York will work with the New York Chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics to:

1)  advocate to ensure that health insurers comply with the law that requires them to provide coverage for autism screening and treatment including for pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified; and

2)  advocate to ensure health insurers and Medicaid take the steps necessary to include a sufficient number of physicians and  other appropriate providers in their networks to provide such necessary screening and treatment; and

3)  work with the AMA and other medical societies to advocate for federal legislation to require self-insured plans to provide such coverage; and

4)  work with similarly interested organizations to identify gaps in services and treatment for children believed to have autism or other developmental and/or learning disabilities that may not specifically meet the statutory definition of “autism spectrum disorder” and to advocate for identified solutions including but not limited to insurance coverage for these children.  (HOD 2015-60; referred to Council; amended and adopted 11/5/2015)

205.990        Changes to Article 81 of New York’s Mental Hygiene Laws

In an attempt to rectify what has become a financially motivated practice of filing for guardianships employed by nursing homes having incapacitated residents who have incurred huge outstanding medical bills, the Medical Society of the State of New York will seek immediate changes to Article 81 of the New York Mental Hygiene Law which would allow courts to grant full guardianship to nursing homes for incapacitated residents only when the health and well-being of a patient is in jeopardy and no family member is capable of making such a decision; not when motivated strictly by nursing home financial concerns. (HOD 2015-110)

205.991        Office of People with Developmental Disabilities

MSSNY will seek legislation or regulation that has the website for the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities clearly delineate all steps involved in their process, including:

• Requirements for eligibility
• A list of sites individuals may contact to obtain evaluations
• Program benefits
• Establishment of a hotline and online chat services to answer questions for interested parents and providers. (HOD 2015-206) 

205.992        Health Services Upon Release for Prisoners with Mental Illnesses:

MSSNY will advocate to ensure that the New York State Division of Parole afford prisoners with serious mental illnesses effective discharge planning services to ensure that continuity of care will be provided.  (HOD 2007-111; Reaffirmed HOD 2017)

205.993        Increased Funding for School and Pre-School Services for MRDD  Children:

MSSNY will support increased New York State funding for services for pre-school and school-aged mentally retarded/developmentally disabled children in the educational setting.  (HOD 2005-159; Modified and reaffirmed HOD 2015)

205.994        Developmental Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder:

MSSNY will support increasing the funds available for research and treatment for developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.  (HOD 04-164; Reaffirmed HOD 2006-163; Amended HOD 2016 with title change)

205.995        Increased Funding for Physician Training and Reimbursement for the Health Care of Mentally Retarded/Developmentally Disabled (MRDD) Individuals: SUNSET HOD 2015

205.996        Integrated Services for Public Mental Health Care: SUNSET HOD 2014

205.997        Outpatient Certification: SUNSET HOD 2014

205.998        The Need for Adequate Community Facilities Prior to Discharge of Mentally Ill from  Mental Institutions: SUNSET HOD 2014

205.999        Definition, Mental Illness: SUNSET HOD 2013