§ 3224-a. Standards for prompt, fair and equitable settlement of claims for health care and payments for health care services. In the processing of all health care claims submitted under contracts or agreements issued or entered into pursuant to this article and articles forty-two, forty-three and forty-seven of this chapter and article forty-four of the public health law and all bills for health care services rendered by health care providers pursuant to such contracts or agreements, any insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall adhere to the following standards: (a) Except in a case where the obligation of an insurer or an organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law to pay a claim submitted by a policyholder or person covered under such policy ("covered person") or make a payment to a health care provider is not reasonably clear, or when there is a reasonable basis supported by specific information available for review by the superintendent that such claim or bill for health care services rendered was submitted fraudulently, such insurer or organization or corporation shall pay the claim to a policyholder or covered person or make a payment to a health care provider within thirty days of receipt of a claim or bill for services rendered that is transmitted via the internet or electronic mail, or forty-five days of receipt of a claim or bill for services rendered that is submitted by other means, such as paper or facsimile. (b) In a case where the obligation of an insurer or an organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law to pay a claim or make a payment for health care services rendered is not reasonably clear due to a good faith dispute regarding the eligibility of a person for coverage, the liability of another insurer or corporation or organization for all or part of the claim, the amount of the claim, the benefits covered under a contract or agreement, or the manner in which services were accessed or provided, an insurer or organization or corporation shall pay any undisputed portion of the claim in accordance with this subsection and notify the policyholder, covered person or health care provider in writing within thirty calendar days of the receipt of the claim: (1) that it is not obligated to pay the claim or make the medical payment, stating the specific reasons why it is not liable; or (2) to request all additional information needed to determine liability to pay the claim or make the health care payment. Upon receipt of the information requested in paragraph two of this subsection or an appeal of a claim or bill for health care services denied pursuant to paragraph one of this subsection, an insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall comply with subsection (a) of this section. (c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph two of this subsection, each claim or bill for health care services processed in violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation. In addition to the penalties provided in this chapter, any insurer or organization or corporation that fails to adhere to the standards contained in this section shall be obligated to pay to the health care provider or person submitting the claim, in full settlement of the claim or bill for health care services, the amount of the claim or health care payment plus interest on the amount of such claim or health care payment of thegreater of the rate equal to the rate set by the commissioner of taxation and finance for corporate taxes pursuant to paragraph one of subsection (e) of section one thousand ninety-six of the tax law or twelve percent per annum, to be computed from the date the claim or health care payment was required to be made. When the amount of interest due on such a claim is less then two dollars, and insurer or organization or corporation shall not be required to pay interest on such claim. (2) Where a violation of this section is determined by the superintendent as a result of the superintendent's own investigation, examination, audit or inquiry, an insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall not be subject to a civil penalty prescribed in paragraph one of this subsection, if the superintendent determines that the insurer or organization or corporation has otherwise processed at least ninety-eight percent of the claims submitted in a calendar year in compliance with this section; provided, however, nothing in this paragraph shall limit, preclude or exempt an insurer or organization or corporation from payment of a claim and payment of interest pursuant to this section. This paragraph shall not apply to violations of this section determined by the superintendent resulting from individual complaints submitted to the superintendent by health care providers or policyholders. (d) For the purposes of this section: (1) "policyholder" shall mean a person covered under such policy or a representative designated by such person; and (2) "health care provider" shall mean an entity licensed or certified pursuant to article twenty-eight, thirty-six or forty of the public health law, a facility licensed pursuant to article nineteen, twenty-three or thirty-one of the mental hygiene law, a health care professional licensed, registered or certified pursuant to title eight of the education law, a dispenser or provider of pharmaceutical products, services or durable medical equipment, or a representative designated by such entity or person. (e) Nothing in this section shall in any way be deemed to impair any right available to the state to adjust the timing of its payments for medical assistance pursuant to title eleven of article five of the social services law, or for child health insurance plan benefits pursuant to title one-a of article twenty-five of the public health law or otherwise be deemed to require adjustment of payments by the state for such medical assistance or child health insurance. (f) In any action brought by the superintendent pursuant to this section or article twenty-four of this chapter relating to this section regarding payments for medical assistance pursuant to title eleven of article five of the social services law, child health insurance plan benefits pursuant to title one-a of article twenty-five of the public health law, benefits under the voucher insurance program pursuant to section one thousand one hundred twenty-one of this chapter, and benefits under the New York state small business health insurance partnership program pursuant to article nine-A of the public health law, it shall be a mitigating factor that the insurer, corporation or organization is owed any premium amounts, premium adjustments, stop-loss recoveries or other payments from the state or one of its fiscal intermediaries under any such program. (g) Time period for submission of claims. (1) Except as otherwise provided by law, health care claims must be initially submitted by health care providers within one hundred twenty days after the date ofservice to be valid and enforceable against an insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or article forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law. Provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall preclude the parties from agreeing to a time period or other terms which are more favorable to the health care provider. Provided further that, in connection with contracts between organizations or corporations licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law and health care providers for the provision of services pursuant to section three hundred sixty-four-j or three hundred sixty-nine-ee of the social services law or title I-A of article twenty-five of the public health law, nothing herein shall be deemed: (i) to preclude the parties from agreeing to a different time period but in no event less than ninety days; or (ii) to supersede contract provisions in existence at the time this subsection takes effect except to the extent that such contracts impose a time period of less than ninety days. (2) This subsection shall not abrogate any right or reduce or limit any additional time period for claim submission provided by law or regulation specifically applicable to coordination of benefits in effect prior to the effective date of this subsection. (h) (1) An insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or article forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall permit a participating health care provider to request reconsideration of a claim that is denied exclusively because it was untimely submitted pursuant to subsection (g) of this section. The insurer or organization or corporation shall pay such claim pursuant to the provisions of paragraph two of this subsection if the health care provider can demonstrate both that: (i) the health care provider's non-compliance was a result of an unusual occurrence; and (ii) the health care provider has a pattern or practice of timely submitting claims in compliance with subdivision (g) of this section. (2) An insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or article forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law may reduce the reimbursement due to a health care provider for an untimely claim that otherwise meets the requirements of paragraph one of this subsection by an amount not to exceed twenty-five percent of the amount that would have been paid had the claim been submitted in a timely manner; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall preclude a health care provider and an insurer or organization or corporation from agreeing to a lesser reduction. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any claim submitted three hundred sixty-five days after the date of service, in which case the insurer or organization or corporation may deny the claim in full.
§ 3224-a. Standards for prompt, fair and equitable settlement of claims for health care and payments for health care services. In the processing of all health care claims submitted under contracts or agreements issued or entered into pursuant to this article and articles forty-two, forty-three and forty-seven of this chapter and article forty-four of the public health law and all bills for health care services rendered by health care providers pursuant to such contracts or agreements, any insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall adhere to the following standards: (a) Except in a case where the obligation of an insurer or an organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law to pay a claim submitted by a policyholder or person covered under such policy ("covered person") or make a payment to a health care provider is not reasonably clear, or when there is a reasonable basis supported by specific information available for review by the superintendent that such claim or bill for health care services rendered was submitted fraudulently, such insurer or organization or corporation shall pay the claim to a policyholder or covered person or make a payment to a health care provider within thirty days of receipt of a claim or bill for services rendered that is transmitted via the internet or electronic mail, or forty-five days of receipt of a claim or bill for services rendered that is submitted by other means, such as paper or facsimile. (b) In a case where the obligation of an insurer or an organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law to pay a claim or make a payment for health care services rendered is not reasonably clear due to a good faith dispute regarding the eligibility of a person for coverage, the liability of another insurer or corporation or organization for all or part of the claim, the amount of the claim, the benefits covered under a contract or agreement, or the manner in which services were accessed or provided, an insurer or organization or corporation shall pay any undisputed portion of the claim in accordance with this subsection and notify the policyholder, covered person or health care provider in writing within thirty calendar days of the receipt of the claim: (1) that it is not obligated to pay the claim or make the medical payment, stating the specific reasons why it is not liable; or (2) to request all additional information needed to determine liability to pay the claim or make the health care payment. Upon receipt of the information requested in paragraph two of this subsection or an appeal of a claim or bill for health care services denied pursuant to paragraph one of this subsection, an insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall comply with subsection (a) of this section. (c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph two of this subsection, each claim or bill for health care services processed in violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation. In addition to the penalties provided in this chapter, any insurer or organization or corporation that fails to adhere to the standards contained in this section shall be obligated to pay to the health care provider or person submitting the claim, in full settlement of the claim or bill for health care services, the amount of the claim or health care payment plus interest on the amount of such claim or health care payment of thegreater of the rate equal to the rate set by the commissioner of taxation and finance for corporate taxes pursuant to paragraph one of subsection (e) of section one thousand ninety-six of the tax law or twelve percent per annum, to be computed from the date the claim or health care payment was required to be made. When the amount of interest due on such a claim is less then two dollars, and insurer or organization or corporation shall not be required to pay interest on such claim. (2) Where a violation of this section is determined by the superintendent as a result of the superintendent's own investigation, examination, audit or inquiry, an insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall not be subject to a civil penalty prescribed in paragraph one of this subsection, if the superintendent determines that the insurer or organization or corporation has otherwise processed at least ninety-eight percent of the claims submitted in a calendar year in compliance with this section; provided, however, nothing in this paragraph shall limit, preclude or exempt an insurer or organization or corporation from payment of a claim and payment of interest pursuant to this section. This paragraph shall not apply to violations of this section determined by the superintendent resulting from individual complaints submitted to the superintendent by health care providers or policyholders. (d) For the purposes of this section: (1) "policyholder" shall mean a person covered under such policy or a representative designated by such person; and (2) "health care provider" shall mean an entity licensed or certified pursuant to article twenty-eight, thirty-six or forty of the public health law, a facility licensed pursuant to article nineteen, twenty-three or thirty-one of the mental hygiene law, a health care professional licensed, registered or certified pursuant to title eight of the education law, a dispenser or provider of pharmaceutical products, services or durable medical equipment, or a representative designated by such entity or person. (e) Nothing in this section shall in any way be deemed to impair any right available to the state to adjust the timing of its payments for medical assistance pursuant to title eleven of article five of the social services law, or for child health insurance plan benefits pursuant to title one-a of article twenty-five of the public health law or otherwise be deemed to require adjustment of payments by the state for such medical assistance or child health insurance. (f) In any action brought by the superintendent pursuant to this section or article twenty-four of this chapter relating to this section regarding payments for medical assistance pursuant to title eleven of article five of the social services law, child health insurance plan benefits pursuant to title one-a of article twenty-five of the public health law, benefits under the voucher insurance program pursuant to section one thousand one hundred twenty-one of this chapter, and benefits under the New York state small business health insurance partnership program pursuant to article nine-A of the public health law, it shall be a mitigating factor that the insurer, corporation or organization is owed any premium amounts, premium adjustments, stop-loss recoveries or other payments from the state or one of its fiscal intermediaries under any such program. (g) Time period for submission of claims. (1) Except as otherwise provided by law, health care claims must be initially submitted by health care providers within one hundred twenty days after the date ofservice to be valid and enforceable against an insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or article forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law. Provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall preclude the parties from agreeing to a time period or other terms which are more favorable to the health care provider. Provided further that, in connection with contracts between organizations or corporations licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law and health care providers for the provision of services pursuant to section three hundred sixty-four-j or three hundred sixty-nine-ee of the social services law or title I-A of article twenty-five of the public health law, nothing herein shall be deemed: (i) to preclude the parties from agreeing to a different time period but in no event less than ninety days; or (ii) to supersede contract provisions in existence at the time this subsection takes effect except to the extent that such contracts impose a time period of less than ninety days. (2) This subsection shall not abrogate any right or reduce or limit any additional time period for claim submission provided by law or regulation specifically applicable to coordination of benefits in effect prior to the effective date of this subsection. (h) (1) An insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or article forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall permit a participating health care provider to request reconsideration of a claim that is denied exclusively because it was untimely submitted pursuant to subsection (g) of this section. The insurer or organization or corporation shall pay such claim pursuant to the provisions of paragraph two of this subsection if the health care provider can demonstrate both that: (i) the health care provider's non-compliance was a result of an unusual occurrence; and (ii) the health care provider has a pattern or practice of timely submitting claims in compliance with subdivision (g) of this section. (2) An insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or article forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law may reduce the reimbursement due to a health care provider for an untimely claim that otherwise meets the requirements of paragraph one of this subsection by an amount not to exceed twenty-five percent of the amount that would have been paid had the claim been submitted in a timely manner; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall preclude a health care provider and an insurer or organization or corporation from agreeing to a lesser reduction. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any claim submitted three hundred sixty-five days after the date of service, in which case the insurer or organization or corporation may deny the claim in full.
§ 3224-a. Standards for prompt, fair and equitable settlement of claims for health care and payments for health care services. In the processing of all health care claims submitted under contracts or agreements issued or entered into pursuant to this article and articles forty-two, forty-three and forty-seven of this chapter and article forty-four of the public health law and all bills for health care services rendered by health care providers pursuant to such contracts or agreements, any insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall adhere to the following standards: (a) Except in a case where the obligation of an insurer or an organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law to pay a claim submitted by a policyholder or person covered under such policy ("covered person") or make a payment to a health care provider is not reasonably clear, or when there is a reasonable basis supported by specific information available for review by the superintendent that such claim or bill for health care services rendered was submitted fraudulently, such insurer or organization or corporation shall pay the claim to a policyholder or covered person or make a payment to a health care provider within thirty days of receipt of a claim or bill for services rendered that is transmitted via the internet or electronic mail, or forty-five days of receipt of a claim or bill for services rendered that is submitted by other means, such as paper or facsimile. (b) In a case where the obligation of an insurer or an organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law to pay a claim or make a payment for health care services rendered is not reasonably clear due to a good faith dispute regarding the eligibility of a person for coverage, the liability of another insurer or corporation or organization for all or part of the claim, the amount of the claim, the benefits covered under a contract or agreement, or the manner in which services were accessed or provided, an insurer or organization or corporation shall pay any undisputed portion of the claim in accordance with this subsection and notify the policyholder, covered person or health care provider in writing within thirty calendar days of the receipt of the claim: (1) that it is not obligated to pay the claim or make the medical payment, stating the specific reasons why it is not liable; or (2) to request all additional information needed to determine liability to pay the claim or make the health care payment. Upon receipt of the information requested in paragraph two of this subsection or an appeal of a claim or bill for health care services denied pursuant to paragraph one of this subsection, an insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall comply with subsection (a) of this section. (c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph two of this subsection, each claim or bill for health care services processed in violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation. In addition to the penalties provided in this chapter, any insurer or organization or corporation that fails to adhere to the standards contained in this section shall be obligated to pay to the health care provider or person submitting the claim, in full settlement of the claim or bill for health care services, the amount of the claim or health care payment plus interest on the amount of such claim or health care payment of thegreater of the rate equal to the rate set by the commissioner of taxation and finance for corporate taxes pursuant to paragraph one of subsection (e) of section one thousand ninety-six of the tax law or twelve percent per annum, to be computed from the date the claim or health care payment was required to be made. When the amount of interest due on such a claim is less then two dollars, and insurer or organization or corporation shall not be required to pay interest on such claim. (2) Where a violation of this section is determined by the superintendent as a result of the superintendent's own investigation, examination, audit or inquiry, an insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall not be subject to a civil penalty prescribed in paragraph one of this subsection, if the superintendent determines that the insurer or organization or corporation has otherwise processed at least ninety-eight percent of the claims submitted in a calendar year in compliance with this section; provided, however, nothing in this paragraph shall limit, preclude or exempt an insurer or organization or corporation from payment of a claim and payment of interest pursuant to this section. This paragraph shall not apply to violations of this section determined by the superintendent resulting from individual complaints submitted to the superintendent by health care providers or policyholders. (d) For the purposes of this section: (1) "policyholder" shall mean a person covered under such policy or a representative designated by such person; and (2) "health care provider" shall mean an entity licensed or certified pursuant to article twenty-eight, thirty-six or forty of the public health law, a facility licensed pursuant to article nineteen, twenty-three or thirty-one of the mental hygiene law, a health care professional licensed, registered or certified pursuant to title eight of the education law, a dispenser or provider of pharmaceutical products, services or durable medical equipment, or a representative designated by such entity or person. (e) Nothing in this section shall in any way be deemed to impair any right available to the state to adjust the timing of its payments for medical assistance pursuant to title eleven of article five of the social services law, or for child health insurance plan benefits pursuant to title one-a of article twenty-five of the public health law or otherwise be deemed to require adjustment of payments by the state for such medical assistance or child health insurance. (f) In any action brought by the superintendent pursuant to this section or article twenty-four of this chapter relating to this section regarding payments for medical assistance pursuant to title eleven of article five of the social services law, child health insurance plan benefits pursuant to title one-a of article twenty-five of the public health law, benefits under the voucher insurance program pursuant to section one thousand one hundred twenty-one of this chapter, and benefits under the New York state small business health insurance partnership program pursuant to article nine-A of the public health law, it shall be a mitigating factor that the insurer, corporation or organization is owed any premium amounts, premium adjustments, stop-loss recoveries or other payments from the state or one of its fiscal intermediaries under any such program. (g) Time period for submission of claims. (1) Except as otherwise provided by law, health care claims must be initially submitted by health care providers within one hundred twenty days after the date ofservice to be valid and enforceable against an insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or article forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law. Provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall preclude the parties from agreeing to a time period or other terms which are more favorable to the health care provider. Provided further that, in connection with contracts between organizations or corporations licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law and health care providers for the provision of services pursuant to section three hundred sixty-four-j or three hundred sixty-nine-ee of the social services law or title I-A of article twenty-five of the public health law, nothing herein shall be deemed: (i) to preclude the parties from agreeing to a different time period but in no event less than ninety days; or (ii) to supersede contract provisions in existence at the time this subsection takes effect except to the extent that such contracts impose a time period of less than ninety days. (2) This subsection shall not abrogate any right or reduce or limit any additional time period for claim submission provided by law or regulation specifically applicable to coordination of benefits in effect prior to the effective date of this subsection. (h) (1) An insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or article forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law shall permit a participating health care provider to request reconsideration of a claim that is denied exclusively because it was untimely submitted pursuant to subsection (g) of this section. The insurer or organization or corporation shall pay such claim pursuant to the provisions of paragraph two of this subsection if the health care provider can demonstrate both that: (i) the health care provider's non-compliance was a result of an unusual occurrence; and (ii) the health care provider has a pattern or practice of timely submitting claims in compliance with subdivision (g) of this section. (2) An insurer or organization or corporation licensed or certified pursuant to article forty-three or article forty-seven of this chapter or article forty-four of the public health law may reduce the reimbursement due to a health care provider for an untimely claim that otherwise meets the requirements of paragraph one of this subsection by an amount not to exceed twenty-five percent of the amount that would have been paid had the claim been submitted in a timely manner; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall preclude a health care provider and an insurer or organization or corporation from agreeing to a lesser reduction. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any claim submitted three hundred sixty-five days after the date of service, in which case the insurer or organization or corporation may deny the claim in full.
