Bill Summaries: S226 (2021)

Tracking:
  • Summary date: Mar 10 2021 - View summary

    Amends GS 90-414.4(a1), making the following one-year extensions for mandatory connection to the Health Information Exchange (HIE) Network. Requires participation by providers of Medicaid and State-funded health care services not otherwise provided for by October 1, 2022. Requires participations by ambulatory surgical centers, licensed dentists, licensed physicians with a primary practice in psychiatry, and the State Lab of Public Health by June 1, 2022. Requires participation by registered pharmacies, and state health care facilities under the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services' jurisdiction by June 1, 2022. 

    Enacts GS 90-414.4(b1) requiring the HIE Network Authority to assess a civil penalty not exceeding $10 per claim to any provider or entity that fails to connect to the HIE Network and submit required data through the HIE Network as mandated in existing subsection (b) of the statute. Requires remittance to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund. Requires the provider or entity to take one of four actions within 30 days of the assessment, including payment of the penalty in full, executing a participation agreement, requesting an exemption or hardship extension, or filing a contested case petition, as specified. Enacts subsection (b2), subjecting assessment proceedings to the Administrative Procedure Act, GS Chapter 150B. Authorizes the HIE Authority to bring an action to recover the penalty if no action is taken by the provider or entity within 30 days' notice of the penalty or 30 days following affirmation of the penalty. Specifies that such an action does not relieve a party from other penalties prescribed by law.

    Amends GS 90-414.7, adding the authority to assess civil penalties as provided in GS 90-414.4(b1), as enacted, to the powers of the HIE Authority. 

    Effective October 1, 2021, and applies to violations of GS 90-414.4(b) occurring on or after that date.