Requires hospitals to obtain verbal and written informed consent from a patient or representative before including such patient's information in a general hospital facility directory.
Impact
The implementation of A11139 is expected to have significant implications for how hospitals manage patient information. By requiring an opt-in consent mechanism, the bill seeks to enhance patient confidentiality and ensures that individuals have a say in whether their information is included in hospital directories. This approach could potentially reduce instances of unauthorized access to sensitive data, aligning with broader efforts to uphold privacy standards in the healthcare industry. Furthermore, this regulation may necessitate changes in hospital protocols and systems to accommodate the new requirements effectively.
Summary
A11139 is a legislative bill introduced in the New York Assembly that aims to amend the public health law in relation to hospital patient directories. Specifically, the bill mandates that hospitals establish and maintain a directory of patient information that patients or their legal representatives can opt into after providing informed consent. This change to existing law emphasizes the need for patient choice and control over their personal health information, which reflects a growing trend towards protecting patient privacy rights in healthcare settings.
Contention
While the bill appears to offer benefits in terms of patient privacy, it also raises questions and points of contention among stakeholders. Advocates for patient rights are likely to support the enhanced protections A11139 provides. However, some hospital administrators may express concerns about the added administrative burden and expenses associated with implementing opt-in systems. Additionally, there may be discussions regarding the timing of these changes and their alignment with existing practices and legal requirements within the state’s healthcare framework.
Prohibits hospitals and health care providers from storing credit card information without signed written consent and requires disclosure if such information could be used to pay balances.
Requires general hospitals and nursing homes to offer free notarial services to patients; requires an employee of such general hospital or nursing home who is a notary public to be present from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on business days.
Requires that general hospitals that provide mastectomy surgery, lymph node dissection or lumpectomy provide information to such patients concerning options for breast reconstruction.
Requires that general hospitals that provide mastectomy surgery, lymph node dissection or lumpectomy provide information to such patients concerning options for breast reconstruction.
Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions; requires the commissioner of health to collect from each hospital a list of its hospital rule-based exclusions and publish such information on the department's website.
Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions; requires the commissioner of health to collect from each hospital a list of its hospital rule-based exclusions and publish such information on the department's website.
Requires insurance companies to establish and maintain API to facilitate patient and provider access to health information; includes patient access, provider directory and payer to payer exchange.