LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: SUCCESS! Your voice was heard in the 2019-20 budget.

April 1, 2019Divisions, Legislative, NASWNYSAmelia Lochner Malavé

SUCCESS! YOUR VOICE WAS HEARD!

NASW-NYS is thrilled to share the following legislative accomplishments with our members:

Thanks in large part to your grassroots advocacy, the NASW-NYS Chapter’s Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative was included in the final budget. As a result, we can continue our vital work supporting New York’s veterans!

In addition, through a partnership between Social Workers, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and community advocates, the final budget also included an expansion of the state’s mental health parity benefits.

Another hard-fought victory was realized in partnership with the New York State Society for Clinical Social Work (NYSSCSW) in finally including LCSWs as providers in the Workers Compensation program.

And finally, as you are all aware, as part of the Social Work Investment Initiative, we worked hard to secure dollars for both the New York State and New York City Chapters to develop an English as a Second Language (ESL) test preparation program. The final budget includes $150,000 to begin this program. More details to follow!

We hope you will join us in celebrating these amazing accomplishments that would not have been possible without your continued support and advocacy. We also hope this will serve as a reminder of what the power of social work can accomplish!

Please stay tuned for a full report on our work this legislative session!

Important Chapter Announcement

April 1, 2019Divisions, NASWNYSAmelia Lochner Malavé

NASW-NYS would like to share the following statements with our members:

“I am writing to announce my resignation from NASW-NYS. It has been a true honor and privilege to get to know you and work for you, fight for you at the Capital, and promote the work you do Nationwide. I wish you all the best and thank you for the opportunity to serve you.”

Sincerely,
Samantha Howell, Esq.

“I wish to thank Samantha Howell for her time and effort serving as our Executive Director and wish her well as she moves on to other endeavors. Her passion for social justice served us well in our advocacy and legislative efforts, and we know that the friendships she made among us will continue. We will soon be announcing an interim Executive Director and beginning a comprehensive search for a new Executive Director, with the guidance of NASW National staff. The entire Board of Directors, along with our very talented Chapter staff, are dedicated to uninterrupted support to all our members throughout this process. We will be pleased to update you regularly as we move forward.”

Sincerely,
Marcia Schwartzman Levy, LCSW-R
President, NASW-NYS

Legislative Update: Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms

March 30, 2019Legislative, NASWNYSAmelia Lochner Malavé

As we near the end of budget negotiations, NASW-NYS would like to share the following important updates related to the latest budget bill (Health and Mental Hygiene), as it relates to our profession.

Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms

Collective efforts by social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other community advocates have resulted in a final Health and Mental Hygiene budget bill that includes the groundbreaking Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms – a tremendous and hard-fought victory for the broader mental health and substance use disorder community!

Between this expansion, the original Timothy’s Law, codification of the Affordable Care Act in NYS, and our Parity Reporting Bill, New York now has the strongest parity foundation in the country! The Health and Mental Hygiene budget bill will be voted on this Sunday, March 31st.

What are Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms?

The Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms (BHIPR) are a comprehensive overhaul of New York State’s Insurance Law aimed at dramatically curtailing health insurance/health plan practices that restrict New Yorkers who are suffering from Mental Health Conditions (MHCs), Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) from accessing their health insurance benefits for care and treatment. The BHIPR is applicable to all health insurance and/or health benefit plans, individual and group, that are issued for delivery in New York State.

The BHIPR sets as a floor the landmark federal Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) and surpasses it in scope and effect – prohibiting financial requirements or quantitative and non-quantitative treatment limitations for MHCs, SUDs, and ASDs that are more restrictive “than the predominant financial requirements and treatment limitations applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits under the policy [or contract].”

Among the BHIPR provisions of importance:

Provides coverage of all MHCs, SUDs, and ASDs as each is defined in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or the most recent edition of another generally recognized independent standard of current medical practice such as the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
Prohibits preauthorization and concurrent utilization review of SUD services during the initial 28 days of treatment (expansion from the current 14 days and Governor’s original proposal for 21 days).
Prohibits preauthorization and concurrent utilization review of inpatient psychiatric services for youth services during the initial 14 days of treatment.
Prohibits prior authorization for formulary forms of prescribed medications for treatment of SUDs.
Requires that medical necessity criteria with respect to benefits for MHCs/SUDs and ASDs be made available to the insured, prospective insured, or in-network provider upon request.
Requires that clinical review criteria used by utilization review agents must be approved by the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health (OMH) or designated by the Commissioner of Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).
Prohibits taking any adverse action in retaliation for a provider filing a complaint, making a report, or commenting to a government body regarding policies and practice that violate this statute.
Requires insurers and health plans to post additional information regarding their in-network providers of MH/SUD services, including whether the provider is accepting new patients as well as the provider’s affiliations with participating facilities certified or authorized by OMH or OASAS.
Additional funding resources for staffing at the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and the Department of Health (DOH) to handle oversight and enforcement of parity.
The provisions take effect January 1, 2020, and apply to all policies issued, renewed, modified or altered after such date.

In addition to the enactment of the BHIPR, the final state budget for 2019-20 also includes the codification of the Affordable Care Act and Essential Health Benefits, which collectively will provide the most robust set of parity and consumer protections of any state.

Thanks to your support and dedication, we have gained momentum in the Capitol and we will continue to advocate for you, our members, each and every day.

Stay in touch and stay tuned for a full report on our work this legislative session. More great work is ahead of us!

2019 (EM)POWER UP Conference Workshops Announced!

March 28, 2019Conference, NASWNYSAmelia Lochner Malavé

It's here! The 2019 (EM)POWER UP Conference schedule is now available. We are thrilled to offer five workshop tracks, as well as a variety of student-focused workshops at the conference. Keep reading to learn more!

You will receive a separate reminder to log into the 2019 NASW-NYS Conference registration portal and make your workshop selections prior to the conference. Stay tuned!

Early bird deadline extended to April 19!

We have also extended our early bird deadline rates to Friday, April 19, 2019.

*Schedule subject to change


Pre-Conference Workshop Sessions	Pre-Conference Workshop Sessions
9:00AM-5:00PM	Registration (Exhibitors and attendees)
10:00AM - 1:00PM	MORNING SESSION (3.0 CEs)
	Technology in Social Work Practice: Standards of Practice NASW Assurance Services, Inc.
2:30PM - 4:00PM	AFTEROON SESSION A (1.5 CEs)
Clinical	Social Work’s Innovative Approach of Integrating Mental Health in a Primary Care Practice Leora Botnick
	This workshop will focus on the high need population of patients with mental health needs and/or uncontrolled chronic illnesses. It will discuss social work's role in the care coordination of these patients including engagement, intervention, and collaborative teamwork. One component that will be emphasized is identifying and addressing social determinants of health.
Children, Youth & Families	Treating Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Hanni Flaherty, PhD, LCSW
	This workshop aims to educate positioners around non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors among adolescent. It aims to inform practitioners about the current evidence-based practices that are available to treat adolescents who struggle with NSSI in order to determine the best practice for this high-risk population.
Leadership	Grant Writing for Social Workers Diane R. Bessel, PhD, LMSW, CNM
	The ability to locate and secure funding for health and human service programming is an essential skill for social workers working in non-profit organizations today. This interactive program emphasizes strategies for identifying possible funding resources as well as tools for writing effective proposals. The session will cover the essential components of any grant application including problem statements, program design, budgets and budget narratives, evaluation, and sustainability plans.
Policy	Political Social Work Jessica Mitchell, LMSW, MA
	Social workers, and the people they work with, are fundamentally dependent on the decisions made by the people who are elected public office. In order to advance the values of the profession, social workers must participate and engage in the political process; beginning with field placements.
OR
LMSW/LCSW Test Prep Course
9:00am - 4:00pm	Dawn Hall Apgar, PhD, LSW, ACSW

	aaa
☆ SPECIAL PRESENTATION Open to LMSW/LCSW Test Prep Course and Pre-Conference Workshop attendees at no additional cost!
4:15PM - 5:45PM	Animal Assisted Social Work (1.5 CEs)
	Catherine Ricchetti, LCSW-R

Networking Event	Dine around Saratoga
	Meet in the Saratoga Hilton Lobby!

*Schedule subject to change


Thursday Conference
6:30 AM - 7:30 AM	Morning Yoga (Optional)
	Kick off your conference morning with a nice hour-long morning yoga!
7:00AM - 8:00PM	Registration
8:00AM - 9:00AM	Breakfast Opening Plenary with Speaker: Victoria M. Rizzo, PhD, LCSW
9:15AM - 10:45AM	SESSION 1 (1.5 CEs)
Clinical	Innovative Treatment Approach CW Compromised by Trauma Jennifer Genovese, PhD, ACSW, LCSW
	Caseworkers are a high need population whose health and well-being is at risk of being comprised by their exposure to trauma. This workshop will introduce an innovative group treatment model that provides caseworkers with emotional support and offers an opportunity to develop positive coping strategies for dealing with trauma exposure.
Children, Youth & Families	Neurobiology of Childhood Sexual Abuse Bernadette C. Marson, PhD, ACSW, LCSW-R
	This workshop will explain the effects of exposure to traumatic life experiences subsequent to childhood sexual abuse. The workshop will review the neurobiological, psychological, mental health, substance abuse, and interpersonal problems associated with developmental trauma. Treatment approaches to developmental trauma would be reviewed.
Special Populations	Parents as Healers: Recovering from the Trauma of Domestic Violence Anne Marie Ramos, LCSW, RPT-S
	Involving caregivers in dynamic ways to help their children recover from the trauma of domestic violence enhances healing. Participants will be introduced to an approach called Parents as Healers which encourages parents to take an active role in treatment sessions using directive play therapy, creative arts, effective parenting and more.
Leadership	Connection, Collaboration and Cognitive Reframing: The Improviser's Tool Kit for Social Workers Jude Treder-Wolff, LCSW, CGP, CPAI
	Improvisation training is ideal for learning how to pilot through stress without being derailed by it. The improviser's toolkit strengthens the capacity for cognitive reframing, connection with others over social and psychological barriers, and collaborating to solve problems through a fascinating and fun learning process.
Policy	Using Strategy to Win Needed Change Diane R. Bessel, PhD, LMSW, CNM
	The use of strategy is critically important when organizing around a community issue, working to pass legislation, and/or advocating for needed change. The work requires us to develop a clear understanding of various positions as well as to determine what will motivate decision-makers to act in our interests. The Midwest Academy’s Strategy Chart has long been considered the “gold standard” for analyzing organizational and community power and determining what needs to be done to secure positive results as part of an advocacy (issue) campaign. This workshop uses real world examples to highlight the power of the strategy chart in “winning” needed change. Participants will learn how to use the tool to develop effective campaigns on issues of importance to them. .
10:45AM - 11:00AM	Break
11:00AM - 12:30PM	SESSION 2 (1.5 CEs)
Clinical	Surviving an Audit: Best Practices for Solo LCSWs, Group Practices & Licensed Clinics Carmel Gold, LCSW
	Solo and group LCSW Practices, as well as OMH and OASAS licensed clinics, must understand the nuances of best practices. Excellent documentation and accurate billing affect payment, clients’ treatment options, and HIPAA compliance. This workshop demonstrates how billing and documentation best practices impact behavioral health private and clinic practices.
Children, Youth & Families	Adolescent Leadership for Organizational & Community Change Catherine Kramer, LMSW, MPA, PhD Candidate and Darren Cosgrove, LMSW, PhD Candidate
	Youth can be leaders and agents of social change, though often their power is untapped. In practice with adolescents, social workers can unleash youth-power to transform organizations and communities. Youth-led change movements also contribute to healthy adolescent development. Practice implications of Positive Youth Development and Youth Participatory Action Research discussed.
Special Populations	Military/Veteran Culture Alyssa Gibbons, LCSW-R
	This workshop will address the skills needed to work effectively with a military/veteran population and increase the cultural competency for civilian providers who encounter a service member and/or veteran in their practice.
Leadership	Brave Leadership: Leading with Humanity, Humility and Heart Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, CGP
Policy	10 Strategies to Change the World When Times are Hard Karl Bertrand, LMSW
	This workshop condenses 35 years of community organizing and program development experience addressing the homeless and other high-need populations in Westchester County, NY into 10 strategies social workers can use to mobilize coalitions of partners to support social change, even when resources are scarce and despair.
★ KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: JONATHAN MOONEY	SESSION 1 (9:15AM - 10:45AM)
12:30PM - 1:45PM	Lunch featuring Keynote Speaker Jonathan Mooney
2:00PM - 3:30PM	SESSION 3 (1.5 CEs)
Clinical	Hoarding Disorder: Evidence-Based Clinical & Harm Reduction Approaches Anne Pagano, LCSW, ACSW, BCD, C-ASWCM
	Learn about the DSM-V criteria for psychiatric diagnosis of Hoarding Disorder, along with related issues of self-neglect and elder abuse. Explore what and why people hoard; the distress caused by compulsive hoarding; how to identify effective clinical interventions, and develop a collaborative harm reduction plan of care.
Children, Youth & Families	Young Adults with Autism: A Challenge for Aging South Asian Parents Veera Mookerjee, PhD, LMSW
	Transition remains a major stress for parents of autistic children, especially when they age out of mandatory education system and move into larger community. Aging parents engage in intense planning for their child’s future. Such arrangements are difficult as parents representing diverse ethnic groups are not able to access services.
Special Populations	Sex Offender: Let’s Not Talk About Them! Christopher Farrell, LCSW-R
	Many social workers have a visceral response to the mere mention of sex offenders. This workshop will dispel myths, expand the understanding of sex offenders, and humanize a group of individuals who are often misperceived, misunderstood, and shunned by the therapeutic community.
Leadership	Breaking New Ground: Ramping Up Supervision in Peer-Delivered Services Jonathan Edwards, LCSW, ACSW, M. Phil. and Michael Serrano, LMSW
	Consistent with social work's values to advance empowerment and social justice, this workshop will introduce participants to a strengths-based and comprehensive approach to supervising peer support staff in health care settings. Participants will engage in interactive exercises to operationalize five critical functions of supervision: administrative, educative, supportive, advocacy, and evaluative.
Policy	TBA
3:30PM - 4:00PM	Break/Exhibitor Hall
4:00PM - 5:30PM	SESSION 4 (1.5 CEs)
Clinical	Contemporary Neuroscience and Attachment Theory: Implications for an Attachment-informed Approach to Grief Therapy Phyllis Kosminsky, PhD, LCSW
	In this presentation we will review recent developments in neuroscience and attachment theory that have direct implications for understanding the bereaved, particularly the phenomenon of "complicated grief." These findings serve as the foundation for what we have described as an attachment informed approach to grief therapy (Kosminsky and Jordan 2016).
Children, Youth & Families	How to Survive a NYS Justice Center Investigation Dena DeFazio, J.D., NYS Admission pending; MSW and Robert Hussar, J.D., Admitted to practice in NYS and MA; M.S. in Health Systems Management; Certified in Healthcare Compliance
	Social workers practicing in facilities and programs operated, certified, or licensed by OPWDD, OMH, OASAS, OCFS, and DOH need to be prepared to handle an investigation by the New York State Justice Center. This workshop provides an overview of the investigation process, including risks, challenges, and best practices.
Special Populations	Deaf 101: The Basics on Social Work with Deaf & Hard of Hearing Communities David (DT) Bruno, MSW Student at Columbia University School of Social Work and David Barclay, MSW, LCSW-C (MD), PhD
	Attendees will gain a basic understanding of knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to successfully engage with the deaf and hard of hearing client systems. Culturally and linguistically appropriate services for Deaf, Deaf/Blind, Deaf/Disabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and other intersectional identity groups will be explained.
Leadership	A Leadership Paradigm Shift: The Centric Model Margaret Coker, LCSW and Darin Samaha, LMSW
	This workshop will present a concept of leadership that can lead an organization/agency to achieving sustainability and success. Social workers as leaders, or desire to be, will obtain skills in creating an organization/agency that is inclusive of all staff; managerial, supervisory, clinical, and all ancillary positions.
Policy	The Role of Social Work in Community Violence Prevention with a Focus on Credible Messengers and Hospital-Based Interventions Erika Mendelsohn, LCSW
	Participants will learn about preventing community violence using the evidence-based Credible Messenger model, which is being increasingly utilized throughout New York State and around the country. Focus will be primarily on the crucial role of social workers in establishing effective, sustainable Credible Messenger programs. The presentation will highlight a hospital-based Credible Messenger program aimed at reducing gun violence in high-risk communities.
★ KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: MARY PENDER GREENE, LCSW-R, CGP
6:00PM - 9:00PM	2019 NASW-NYS Social Work Awards Dinner featuring Keynote Speaker: Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, CGP

*Schedule subject to change


Friday Conference
6:30 AM - 7:30 AM	Morning Yoga (Optional)
	Kick off your conference morning with a nice hour-long morning yoga!
8:30AM - 10:00AM	SESSION 5 (1.5 CEs)
Clinical	Impact of Ambulatory Integration of Medical & Social (AIMS) Model on Depression & Health Risks Victoria Rizzo, PhD, LCSW-R
	Although social workers have made significant progress identifying best practices for addressing social determinants of health (SDOHs), describing specific services provided that positively and significantly impact SDOHs has not progressed as rapidly. Presenters will highlight the steps of the AIMS model that positively impact SDOHs, specifically depression and health risk.
Children, Youth & Families	Family Supported Recovery: Using Social Work Recovery Coaching Principles to Empower Family Members Keith Greer, LCSW-R, P.C.C., P.R.C.
	Combining Family Centered Social Work practice with the evidence-based practices of Recovery Coaching, Motivational Interviewing and The Stages of Change Model, this workshop demonstrates how to assist and support family members in becoming more effective and influential partners in their loved one's ongoing battle with addiction and early recovery.
Special Populations	Widening the Scope of Your Clinical Practice with Transgender Clients Acey Mercer, LMSW
	Providing culturally competent and affirming mental health and medical care for transgender people requires a specific knowledge base. This workshop will offer solid tools to provide best practices and cultivate transgender affirming care. Exploration of the components of gender identity will equip participants with language, knowledge, and assessment skills.
Leadership	Promoting Discussion in the Classroom: Setting the Stage is Critical Margaret (Peggy) Lane, PhD, LCSW, LISW-S
	Classroom Discussion is a method of teaching used in both classroom and online formats. Discussion pedagogy builds an environment for students to construct meanings for new knowledge (Ezzedeen, 2008). Participants will learn strategies to create and promote meaningful learning opportunities utilizing discussion. The goal of the workshop is to provide a toolbox of techniques for maximum student participation, teacher presence, and civil discourse.
Policy	TBA
10:45AM - 11:00AM	Brunch featuring Closing Plenary with Speaker Loretta Pyles, PhD
11:15AM - 12:45PM	SESSION 6 (1.5 CEs)
Clinical	Recovering from Addiction: A Journey in the “Art of Creating Meaning” June Tyson, PhD, LCSW-R, ACSW and Debra Lavender-Bratcher, PhD, LCSW
	This workshop will provide a comprehensive presentation on how the Art of Creating Meaning works with people in recovery. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) (2011) working definition of recovery is “A process of change whereby individuals work to improve their own health and wellness and to live a meaningful life in a community of their choice while striving to achieve their full potential”. Participants will understand and explore how to create meaning in recovery.
Children, Youth & Families	An Ecological Systems Understanding of Youth Who AWOL from Care Stephen Oby, LCSW, PhD Candidate
	Youth who run from residential care settings disrupt their own safety and development as well as the functioning of facilities responsible for their care. Conceptualizing this behavior within an Ecological Systems framework enables a meaningful assessment and response for practitioners encountering this very common and risky behavior.
Special Populations	New Approaches in Understanding the Intersectionality between Trafficking, FGM, and Forced Marriage Bushra Husain, LCSW-R
	Victims of trafficking, FGM, and forced marriage often fail to receive the services and protections they need to heal and remain safe because these forms of gender-based violence are frequently viewed as separate experiences. Presenters will discuss ways to support victims/survivors of these forms of abuses through coordinated responses.
Leadership	The Story Does the Work: Power Presentations and Maximize Your Message through the Art of Story Jude Treder-Wolff, LCSW, CGP, CPAI
	Professional presentations that use well-crafted stories to frame and explain important concepts are more effective at impacting attitudes and behavior change. This workshop will provide the structure for shaping a great story and evidence-based information about why stories matter in our engagement with clients, colleagues, and communities.
Policy	Using Data to Mobilize Communities & Secure Resources Karl Bertrand, LMSW
	This workshop condenses 35 years of community organizing experience that have resulted in hundreds of new programs and $467 million in grant awards. It focuses on 6 principles social workers can use to translate their knowledge into effective calls for action that mobilize communities and secure resources for vulnerable populations.
1:00PM - 2:00PM	Post-Conference Debrief

ACTION ALERT: Call Your Legislators and urge support for a 2.9% COLA increase for the Human Services Workforce!

March 25, 2019Current Act Now Campaigns: Social Work Legislative Alerts, Legislative, NASWNYSAmelia Lochner Malavé

This action alert has been updated on Monday, March 25, 2019.

Call Your Senator & Assembly Member Today: Urge Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms & 2.9% Human Services COLA Be Included in Final 2019-20 Budget

With only one week to go until a state budget is due to be adopted, NYSPA members are urged to call their Senator and Assembly Member TODAY to urge the final state budget for 2019-20 include two critical provisions.

(1) Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms (BHIPR), which would dramatically curtail health insurance/health plan practices that restrict New Yorkers, suffering from Mental Health Conditions (MHCs), Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), from accessing their health insurance benefits for care and treatment. Any delay in the enactment of the BHIPR could delay the effective date by a whole year – leaving individuals and families vulnerable to utilization review and other practices that may not comply with the federal and state MH/SUD, ASD parity laws.

(2) 2.9% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for human service workers, which is critical to addressing the staffing crisis facing human service nonprofits, including escalating turnover and vacancy rates.

Negotiations and discussions on the budget continue around the clock! Please make your voice heard today!

Sample Phone/Email Script

CALL YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER
(518) 455-4100
NYS Assembly Switchboard

CALL YOUR SENATOR
(518) 455-2800
NYS Senate Switchboard

Hi, my name is _______________. I am a social worker practicing and/or living in your district. I am calling to urge you to support as part of the budget:

(1) the Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms; and,
(2) 2.9% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for human service workers.

Please make sure these important provisions are included in the final budget!

ACTION ALERT: Call the NYS Assembly and urge behavioral health insurance parity reforms be included in the budget!

March 20, 2019LegislativeAmelia Lochner Malavé

URGENT: Call Your Assemblymember and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie TODAY and urge Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms Be Adopted as Part of 2019-2020 Budget!

With only a little over a week left until a state budget is due to be passed by the Legislature, it is imperative you call your Assembly Member and Assembly Speaker Heastie TODAY to urge the Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms (BHIPR) be included in the budget for 2019-2020. The Assembly left the parity reforms out of its one-house budget with the intention to address the parity reforms later in the Legislative Session; however, not adopting the reforms as part of the budget could delay the effective date by a whole year – leaving individuals and families to face another year of insurers and health plans not complying with the federal and state mental health/substance use disorder (MH/SUD) parity laws. New Yorkers CANNOT afford this delay and their lives will depend on it!

Take Action.

(1) Call your Assemblymember – Call the main Assembly switchboard and ask to be connected to your Assemblymember. To find out who your Assemblymember is, enter your address at: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/search/:

NYS Legislature Switchboard:
Assembly: 518-455-4100

Find your NYS Assemblymember
Click here to find your NYS Assemblymember

(2) Call Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie at (518) 455-3791 (Albany Office)

Sample Script/Message

Hi, my name is _______________. I am a social worker practicing in New York State. I am calling to urge you to support adoption of the Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms as part of the 2019-2020 budget. These critical protections must be included in the 2019-2020 budget so they can take effect as early as possible and make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers with autism and MH/SUD. Don’t delay these critical protections!

Why this matters.

The BHIPR provides the most comprehensive overhaul of New York State’s Insurance Laws in generation — aimed at eliminating health insurance/health plan practices that restrict New Yorkers suffering from Mental Health Conditions (MHCs), Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), from accessing their health insurance benefits for care and treatment. Among the BHIPR provisions of importance

Provides coverage for ALL MHCs, SUDs, and ASDs.
Prohibits prior authorization for medication assisted treatment.
Medical necessity criteria with respect to benefits for MHCs/SUDs and ASDs shall be made available to the insured, prospective insured, or in-network provider upon request.
Clinical review criteria used by utilization review agents must be approved by the Commissioner of the OMH or designated by the Commissioner of OASAS.
New restrictions placed on insurers with respect to prior authorization requirements and concurrent reviews for inpatient treatment.
Prohibits taking any adverse action in retaliation for a provider filing a complaint, making a report, or commenting to a government body regarding policies and practice that violate this statute.
Prohibits financial requirements or quantitative and non-quantitative treatment limitations for MHCs, SUDs, and ASDs that are more restrictive, “than the predominant financial requirements and treatment limitations applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits under the policy [or contract]” and adds an extensive list of treatment limitations.
Requires insurers and health plans to post additional information regarding their in-network providers of MH/SUD services, including whether the provider is accepting new patients as well as the provider’s affiliations with participating facilities certified or authorized by OMH or OASAS.
$2.7 million for additional staffing at DFS and DOH to handle oversight and enforcement of parity.

Call Your Senator & Assembly Member Today: Urge Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms & 2.9% Human Services COLA Be Included in Final 2019-20 Budget

Don't wait to act – take five minutes to call your Senator and Assemblymember TODAY.

Sample Phone/Email Script

CALL YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER (518) 455-4100 NYS Assembly Switchboard

CALL YOUR SENATOR (518) 455-2800 NYS Senate Switchboard

URGENT: Call Your Assemblymember and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie TODAY and urge Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms Be Adopted as Part of 2019-2020 Budget!

Take Action.

CALL YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER
(518) 455-4100
NYS Assembly Switchboard

CALL YOUR SENATOR
(518) 455-2800
NYS Senate Switchboard