How Medical Testing Laboratories Must Comply with the Federal Ban on “Surprise Billing”
The “No Surprises Act” (“NSA”), which became effective on January 1, 2022, is federal legislation designed to protect patients from “surprise medical billing” that occurs when a patient receives services from a facility or provider which, unknown to the patient, is outside of his or her health plan’s network, resulting in unexpected out-of-network charges. Much of the discussion surrounding...Read MoreWhat to Know About New York’s Green Amendment
On November 2, 2021, New York residents voted to amend the State’s constitution to enshrine into law each person’s “right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment.” N.Y. Const., Art. 1, Sec. 19. With the adoption of this amendment, New York becomes the third state in the nation to include environmental rights in its Bill of Rights, following Pennsylvania (1971) and Montana (1972....Read MoreBaffling Issues that Arise in Insurance Mediations (and How to Get Past Them!)
Partner John Diaconis will be a panelist on this informative program presented by the Insurance Dispute Resolution Committee of the New York State Bar Association, to be held at 5:30 PM on December 15, via Zoom. Read MoreThe No Surprises Act and How Medical Providers Must Comply with the Federal Ban on Surprise Billing
The “No Surprises Act” (“NSA”), new federal legislation intended to protect patients from “surprise medical billing”, goes into effect on January 1, 2022. While most states have already enacted laws to address surprise billing, limited protections and various loopholes permitting balance billing at the state level compelled federal action to address the need for greater consumer protection. Read MoreAs Deadline Looms, New York Municipalities Decide Whether To Prohibit Retail Cannabis Dispensaries and On-Site Consumption Sites
Under New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which became law on March 31, 2021, the State’s cities, towns and villages have until December 31, 2021 to decide whether to “opt out” of allowing retail marijuana dispensaries and on-site consumption sites within their jurisdictions. The deadline has prompted considerable public debate as residents of Westchester County and across...Read MoreNew York Enacts Mandatory Retirement Savings Program Participation for Employers
On October 21, 2021, Governor Hochul signed legislation requiring all private sector employers who meet certain threshold criteria to participate in New York State’s Secure Choice Savings Program (SCSP). The legislation applies to all for-profit and non-profit employers who employed 10 or more employees in 2020, have been in business for at least two years, and do not already offer a qualified...Read MoreInvestigating Employee Misconduct and Defending Claims of Wrongful Termination
With wrongful termination lawsuits on the rise across many industries, it has become more important than ever for employers to conduct thorough and well-documented investigations of alleged employee misconduct before deciding whether to impose disciplinary measures against an employee. This point was recently confirmed by the Second Department’s decision in Daniel Hutting v. Independent...Read MoreUpdate: New York’s Governor Extends to October 31, 2021 Employers’ Obligation to Implement Their Exposure Prevention Plans under NY’s HERO Act
On September 30, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul extended, until October 31, 2021, her prior designation of COVID-19 as a highly contagious communicable disease, thereby requiring employers to continue to implement their infectious disease prevention plans under New York’s HERO Act. Read MoreThe Intersection of NYS and Westchester County Sick and Safe Leave Laws-One Year Later
New York State’s paid sick leave law (“PSLL”), which went into effect on September 30, 2020, mandates the payment of both sick and safe time leave to employees effective January 1, 2021. Also included within the purview of the PSLL is the availability of paid leave for “safe time” which includes absences from work when an employee or his/her “family member” has been the victim of domestic...Read MoreExtending The Eviction Moratorium and More: New Changes In Commercial Eviction Procedures in New York
Effective September 2, 2021, a new law extended New York’s moratorium on commercial and residential evictions to January 15, 2022, while also enacting several other significant measures of which all commercial landlords and managing agents should be aware. Read MoreEmployers’ Obligation to Implement Their Exposure Prevention Plans Triggered by Formal Designation of COVID-19 as a “Highly Contagious Communicable Disease” under NY’s HERO ACT
On September 6, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the NYS Department of Health has designated COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health” under New York’s HERO Act. This formal designation has immediate significance for all New York employers. Read More