Bill aims to create task force to study telehealth in workers comp

A bill introduced Thursday in the New York Senate would establish a task force to study the potential use of telehealth within the state’s workers comp system.

S. 1042, introduced by Sen. Catharine Young, R-Olean, would examine the feasibility of implementing telehealth to conduct medical exams of injured workers, and investigate the ability of a physician to diagnose through telehealth and remain compliant with treatment guidelines set by the state’s workers compensation board. The seven-member task force would also look at the cost impact of telehealth on employers and the ability to prevent fraud.

The bill stipulates that three task force members will be appointed by the governor, with the remaining four appointed by the president of the Senate and the speaker of the Assembly. The task force would be required to deliver its findings and recommendations by Jan. 1, 2020.

No comprehensive study of the efficacy of using telehealth in workers comp in rural and underserved areas has been conducted to date, according to the proposed legislation.

The bill has been referred to the Senate’s labor committee.