New York State Department Of Health Standard Clauses For Managed Care Provider/IPA Contracts

Appendix
(Revised 3/1/11)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, contract, or amendment (hereinafter "the Agreement " or "this Agreement ") the parties agree to be bound by the following clauses which are hereby made a part of the Agreement. Further, if this Agreement is between a Managed Care Organization and an IPA, or between an IPA and an IPA, such clauses must be included in IPA contracts with providers, and providers must agree to such clauses.

A. Definitions For Purposes Of This Appendix

"Managed Care Organization " or "MCO " shall mean the person, natural or corporate, or any groups of such persons, certified under Public Health Law Article 44, who enter into an arrangement, agreement or plan or any combination of arrangements or plans which provide or offer, or which do provide or offer, a comprehensive health services plan.

"Independent Practice Association " or "IPA " shall mean an entity formed for the limited purpose of arranging by contract for the delivery or provision of health services by individuals, entities and facilities licensed or certified to practice medicine and other health professions, and, as appropriate, ancillary medical services and equipment, by which arrangements such health care providers and suppliers will provide their services in accordance with and for such compensation as may be established by a contract between such entity and one or more MCOs. "IPA" may also include, for purposes of this Agreement, a pharmacy or laboratory with the legal authority to contract with other pharmacies or laboratories to arrange for or provide services to enrollees of a New York State MCO.

"Provider " shall mean physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, pharmacies, hospitals and other entities engaged in the delivery of health care services which are licensed, registered and/or certified as required by applicable federal and state law.

B. General Terms And Conditions

  1. This Agreement is subject to the approval of the New York State Department of Health and if implemented prior to such approval, the parties agree to incorporate into this Agreement any and all modifications required by the Department of Health for approval or, alternatively, to terminate this Agreement if so directed by the Department of Health, effective sixty (60) days subsequent to notice, subject to Public Health Law §4403(6)(e). This Agreement is the sole agreement between the parties regarding the arrangement established herein.
  2. Any material amendment to this Agreement is subject to the prior approval of the Department of Health, and any such amendment shall be submitted for approval at least thirty (30) days, or ninety (90) days if the amendment adds or materially changes a risk sharing arrangement that is subject to Department of Health review, in advance of anticipated execution. To the extent the MCO provides and arranges for the provision of comprehensive health care services to enrollees served by the Medical Assistance Program, the MCO shall notify and/or submit a copy of such material amendment to DOH or New York City, as may be required by the Medicaid managed care contract between the MCO and DOH (or New York City) and/or the Family Health Plus contract between the MCO and DOH.
  3. Assignment of an agreement between an MCO and (1) an IPA, (2) institutional network provider, or (3) medical group provider that serves five percent or more of the enrolled population in a county, or the assignment of an agreement between an IPA and (1) an institutional provider or (2) medical group provider that serves five percent or more of the enrolled population in a county, requires the prior approval of the Commissioner of Health.
  4. The Provider agrees, or if the Agreement is between the MCO and an IPA or between an IPA and an IPA, the IPA agrees and shall require the IPA's providers to agree, to comply fully and abide by the rules, policies and procedures that the MCO (a) has established or will establish to meet general or specific obligations placed on the MCO by statute, regulation, or DOH or SID guidelines or policies and (b) has provided to the Provider at least thirty (30) days in advance of implementation, including but not limited to:
    • quality improvement/management
    • utilization management, including but not limited to precertification procedures, referral process or protocols, and reporting of clinical encounter data
    • member grievances; and
    • provider credentialing
  5. The Provider or, if the Agreement is between the MCO and an IPA, or between an IPA and an IPA, the IPA agrees, and shall require its providers to agree, to not discriminate against an enrollee based on color, race, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, place of origin, source of payment or type of illness or condition.
  6. If the Provider is a primary care practitioner, the Provider agrees to provide for twenty-four (24) hour coverage and back up coverage when the Provider is unavailable. The Provider may use a twenty-four (24) hour back-up call service provided appropriate personnel receive and respond to calls in a manner consistent with the scope of their practice.
  7. The MCO or IPA which is a party to this Agreement agrees that nothing within this Agreement is intended to, or shall be deemed to, transfer liability for the MCO's or IPA's own acts or omissions, by indemnification or otherwise, to a provider.
  8. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties shall comply with the provisions of the Managed Care Reform Act of 1996 (Chapter 705 of the Laws of 1996) Chapter 551 of the Laws of 2006, Chapter 451 of the Laws of 2007 and Chapter 237 of the Laws of 2009 with all amendments thereto.
  9. To the extent the MCO enrolls individuals covered by the Medical Assistance, and/or Family Health Plus programs, this Agreement incorporates the pertinent MCO obligations under the Medicaid managed care contract between the MCO and DOH (or New York City) and/or the Family Health Plus contract between the MCO and DOH as if set forth fully herein, including:
    1. the MCO will monitor the performance of the Provider or IPA under the Agreement, and will terminate the Agreement and/or impose other sanctions, if the Provider's or IPA's performance does not satisfy standards set forth in the Medicaid managed care and/or Family Health Plus contracts;
    2. the Provider or IPA agrees that the work it performs under the Agreement will conform to the terms of the Medicaid managed care contract between the MCO and DOH (or between the MCO and New York City) and/or the Family Health Plus contract between the MCO and DOH, and that it will take corrective action if the MCO identifies deficiencies or areas of needed improvement in the Provider's or IPA's performance; and
    3. The Provider or IPA agrees to be bound by the confidentiality requirements set forth in the Medicaid managed care contract between the MCO and DOH (or between the MCO and New York City) and/or the Family Health Plus contract between the MCO and DOH.
    4. The MCO and the Provider or IPA agree that a woman's enrollment in the MCO's Medicaid managed care or Family Health Plus product is sufficient to provide services to her newborn, unless the newborn is excluded from enrollment in Medicaid managed care or the MCO does not offer a Medicaid managed care product in the mother's county of fiscal responsibility.
    5. The MCO shall not impose obligations and duties on the Provider or IPA that are inconsistent with the Medicaid managed care and/or Family Health Plus contracts, or that impair any rights accorded to DOH, the local Department of Social Services, or the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
    6. The Provider or IPA agrees to provide medical records to the MCO for purposes of determining newborn eligibility for Supplemental Security Income where the mother is a member of the MCO and for quality purposes at no cost to the MCO.
    7. The Provider or IPA agrees , pursuant to 31 U.S.C.§1352 and CFR Part 93, that no Federally appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person by or on behalf of the Provider/IPA for the purpose of influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the award of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, or the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement. The Provider or IPA agrees to complete and submit the "Certification Regarding Lobbying", Appendix ____ attached hereto and incorporated herein, if this Agreement exceeds $100,000. If any funds other than Federally appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for the purpose of influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of a member of Congress, in connection with the award of any Federal Contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering of any cooperative agreement, or the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, and the Agreement exceeds $100,000 the Provider or IPA shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.
    8. The Provider agrees to disclose to MCO on an ongoing basis, any managing employee that has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony related to the person's involvement in any program under Medicare, Medicaid or a Title XX services program (Block grant programs)
    9. The Provider agrees to monitor its employees and staff against the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) and excluded individuals posted by the OMIG on its Website.
    10. The Provider agrees to disclose to MCO complete ownership, control, and relationship information.
    11. Provider agrees to obtain for MCO ownership information from any subcontractor with whom the provider has had a business transaction totaling more than $25,000, during the 12 month period ending on the date of the request made by SDOH, OMIG or DHHS. The information requested shall be provided to MCO within 35 days of such request.
  10. The parties to this Agreement agree to comply with all applicable requirements of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
  11. 11. The Provider agrees, or if the Agreement is between the MCO and an IPA or between an IPA and an IPA, the IPA agrees and shall require the IPA's providers to agree, to comply with all applicable requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; the HIV confidentiality requirements of Article 27-F of the Public Health Law and Mental Hygiene Law§33.13.

C. Payment; Risk Arrangements

  1. Enrollee Non-liability. Provider agrees that in no event, including, but not limited to, nonpayment by the MCO or IPA, insolvency of the MCO or IPA, or breach of this Agreement, shall Provider bill, charge, collect a deposit from, seek compensation, remuneration or reimbursement from, or have any recourse against a subscriber, an enrollee or person (other than the MCO or IPA) acting on his/her/their behalf, for services provided pursuant to the subscriber contract or Medicaid Managed Care contract or Family Health Plus contract and this Agreement, for the period covered by the paid enrollee premium. In addition, in the case of Medicaid Managed Care, Provider agrees that, during the time an enrollee is enrolled in the MCO, he/she/it will not bill the New York State Department of Health or the City of New York for Covered Services within the Medicaid Managed Care Benefit Package as set forth in the Agreement between the MCO and the New York State Department of Health. In the case of Family Health Plus, Provider agrees that, during the time an enrollee is enrolled in the MCO, he/she/it will not bill the New York State Department of Health for Covered Services within the Family Health Plus Benefit Package, as set forth in the Agreement between the MCO and the New York State Department of Health. This provision shall not prohibit the provider, unless the MCO is a managed long term care plan designated as a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), from collecting copayments, coinsurance amounts, or permitted deductibles, as specifically provided in the evidence of coverage, or fees for uncovered services delivered on a fee-for-service basis to a covered person provided that Provider shall have advised the enrollee in writing that the service is uncovered and of the enrollee's liability therefore prior to providing the service. Where the Provider has not been given a list of services covered by the MCO, and/or Provider is uncertain as to whether a service is covered, the Provider shall make reasonable efforts to contact the MCO and obtain a coverage determination prior to advising an enrollee as to coverage and liability for payment and prior to providing the service. This provision shall survive termination of this Agreement for any reason, and shall supersede any oral or written agreement now existing or hereafter entered into between Provider and enrollee or person acting on his or her behalf.
  2. Coordination of Benefits (COB). To the extent otherwise permitted in this Agreement, the Provider may participate in collection of COB on behalf of the MCO, with COB collectibles accruing to the MCO or to the provider. However, with respect to enrollees eligible for medical assistance, or participating in Child Health Plus or Family Health Plus, the Provider shall maintain and make available to the MCO records reflecting COB proceeds collected by the Provider or paid directly to enrollees by third party payers, and amounts thereof, and the MCO shall maintain or have immediate access to records concerning collection of COB proceeds.
  3. If the Provider is a health care professional licensed, registered or certified under Title 8 of the Education Law, the MCO or the IPA must provide notice to the Provider at least ninety (90) days prior to the effective date of any adverse reimbursement arrangement as required by Public Health Law §4406-c(5-c). Adverse reimbursement change shall mean a proposed change that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on the aggregate level of payment to a health care professional. This provision does not apply if the reimbursement change is required by law, regulation or applicable regulatory authority; is required as a result of changes in fee schedules, reimbursement methodology or payment policies established by the American Medical Association current procedural terminology (CPT) codes, reporting guidelines and conventions; or such change is expressly provided for under the terms of this Agreement by the inclusion or reference to a specific fee or fee schedule, reimbursement methodology or payment policy indexing scheme.
  4. The parties agree to comply with and incorporate the requirements of Physician Incentive Plan (PIP) Regulations contained in 42 CFR §438.6(h), 42 CFR §422.208, and 42 CFR § 422.210 into any contracts between the contracting entity (provider, IPA, hospital, etc.) and other persons/entities for the provision of services under this Agreement. No specific payment will be made directly or indirectly under the plan to a physician or physician group as an inducement to reduce or limit medically necessary services furnished to an enrollee.
  5. The parties agree that a claim for home health care services following an inpatient hospital stay cannot be denied on the basis of medical necessity or a lack of prior authorization while a utilization review determination is pending if all necessary information was provided before a member's inpatient hospital discharge, consistent with Public Health Law §4903.

D. Records; Access

  1. Pursuant to appropriate consent/authorization by the enrollee, the Provider will make the enrollee's medical records and other personally identifiable information (including encounter data for government-sponsored programs) available to the MCO (and IPA if applicable), for purposes including preauthorization, concurrent review, quality assurance, (including Quality Assurance Reporting Requirements (QARR)), payment processing, and qualification for government programs, including but not limited to newborn eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and for MCO/Manager analysis and recovery of overpayments due to fraud and abuse. The Provider will also make enrollee medical records available to the State for management audits, financial audits, program monitoring and evaluation, licensure or certification of facilities or individuals, and as otherwise required by state law. The Provider shall provide copies of such records to DOH at no cost. The Provider (or IPA if applicable) expressly acknowledges that he/she/it shall also provide to the MCO and the State (at no expense to the State), on request, all financial data and reports, and information concerning the appropriateness and quality of services provided, as required by law. These provisions shall survive termination of the contract for any reason.
  2. When such records pertain to Medicaid or Family Health Plus reimbursable services the Provider agrees to disclose the nature and extent of services provided and to furnish records to DOH and/or the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the County Department of Social Services, the Comptroller of the State of New York, the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, the New York State Attorney General, and the Comptroller General of the United States and their authorized representatives upon request. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement regardless of the reason.
  3. The parties agree that medical records shall be retained for a period of six (6) years after the date of service, and in the case of a minor, for three (3) years after majority or six (6) years after the date of service, whichever is later, or for such longer period as specified elsewhere within this Agreement. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement regardless of the reason.
  4. The MCO and the Provider agree that the MCO will obtain consent directly from enrollees at the time of enrollment or at the earliest opportunity, or that the Provider will obtain consent from enrollees at the time service is rendered or at the earliest opportunity, for disclosure of medical records to the MCO, to an IPA or to third parties. If the Agreement is between an MCO and an IPA, or between an IPA and an IPA, the IPA agrees to require the providers with which it contracts to agree as provided above. If the Agreement is between an IPA and a provider, the Provider agrees to obtain consent from the enrollee if the enrollee has not previously signed consent for disclosure of medical records.

E. Termination and Transition

  1. Termination or non-renewal of an agreement between an MCO and an IPA, institutional network provider, or medical group Provider that serves five percent or more of the enrolled population in a county, or the termination or non-renewal of an agreement between an IPA and an institutional Provider or medical group Provider that serves five percent or more of the enrolled population in a county, requires notice to the Commissioner of Health. Unless otherwise provided by statute or regulation, the effective date of termination shall not be less than 45 days after receipt of notice by either party, provided, however, that termination, by the MCO may be effected on less than 45 days notice provided the MCO demonstrates to DOH's satisfaction prior to termination that circumstances exist which threaten imminent harm to enrollees or which result in Provider being legally unable to deliver the covered services and, therefore, justify or require immediate termination.
  2. If this Agreement is between the MCO and a health care professional, the MCO shall provide to such health care professional a written explanation of the reasons for the proposed contract termination, other than non-renewal, and an opportunity for a review as required by state law. The MCO shall provide the health care professional 60 days notice of its decision to not renew this Agreement.
  3. If this Agreement is between an MCO and an IPA, and the Agreement does not provide for automatic assignment of the IPA's Provider contracts to the MCO upon termination of the MCO/IPA contract, in the event either party gives notice of termination of the Agreement, the parties agree, and the IPA's providers agree, that the IPA providers shall continue to provide care to the MCO's enrollees pursuant to the terms of this Agreement for 180 days following the effective date of termination, or until such time as the MCO makes other arrangements, whichever first occurs. This provision shall survive termination of this Agreement regardless of the reason for the termination.
  4. Continuation of Treatment. The Provider agrees that in the event of MCO or IPA insolvency or termination of this contract for any reason, the Provider shall continue, until medically appropriate discharge or transfer, or completion of a course of treatment, whichever occurs first, to provide services pursuant to the subscriber contract, Medicaid Managed Care contract, or Family Health Plus contract, to an enrollee confined in an inpatient facility, provided the confinement or course of treatment was commenced during the paid premium period. For purposes of this clause, the term "provider" shall include the IPA and the IPA’s contracted providers if this Agreement is between the MCO and an IPA. This provision shall survive termination of this Agreement.
  5. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, to the extent that the Provider is providing health care services to enrollees under the Medicaid Program and/or Family Health Plus, the MCO or IPA retains the option to immediately terminate the Agreement when the Provider has been terminated or suspended from the Medicaid Program.
  6. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the Provider agrees, and, where applicable, the IPA agrees to require all participating providers of its network to assist in the orderly transfer of enrollees to another provider.

F. Arbitration

  1. To the extent that arbitration or alternative dispute resolution is authorized elsewhere in this Agreement, the parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the Commissioner of Health is not bound by arbitration or mediation decisions. Arbitration or mediation shall occur within New York State, and the Commissioner of Health will be given notice of all issues going to arbitration or mediation, and copies of all decisions.

G. Ipa-Specific Provisions

  1. Any reference to IPA quality assurance (QA) activities within this Agreement is limited to the IPA’s analysis of utilization patterns and quality of care on its own behalf and as a service to its contract providers.