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What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?
I'm hearing that there's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill being sponsored in New York. Told that if it doesn't pass many techs will lose their jobs. Why?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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c'mon Sleep Techs -- what the heck is this all about? Maybe I should be lobbying my Congressmen/ women on your behalf?
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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I have been trying to find some info on it Mike. I could not find anything regarding that bill. Doesn't NYC require sleep tech to be licensed?
http://www.nysssm.org/
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I don't know what the law is around NY state tech licensure.
Rock Hinkle said:I have been trying to find some info on it Mike. I could not find anything regarding that bill. Doesn't NYC require sleep tech to be licensed?
http://www.nysssm.org/
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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Maybe this 22 Aug 09 link from the NYSSSM link Rock Hinkle gave us??
"Emblem Heath Care : Emblem has taken over GHI and HIP. Emblem is now insisting that all sleep studies be home studies but in addition their specific vendor must be used. The vendor mails the patient a home sleep kit. The patient performs the study themselves and then the equipment is forwarded back to the vendor for a computerized analysis (no human involvement) then a summary is forwarded to the ordering physician (which can be any physician) who then interprets the test and submits an interpretation fee. This violates almost all of the AASM guidelines for home sleep testing.
AETNA: Aetna is requiring physicians to sign up for home sleep testing.
This is a disturbing trend. Please email NYSSSM and the Reimbursement Committee with any other insurance company activities regarding home testing."
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good sleuthing Judy. Could very well be. I just heard through the grapevine that there is a massive lobbying effort underway to push a Sleep Tech bill through the state legislature. No idea what it's about. But if it is, in fact, about home testing, that would make sense.
Judy said:Maybe this 22 Aug 09 link from the NYSSSM link Rock Hinkle gave us??
"Emblem Heath Care : Emblem has taken over GHI and HIP. Emblem is now insisting that all sleep studies be home studies but in addition their specific vendor must be used. The vendor mails the patient a home sleep kit. The patient performs the study themselves and then the equipment is forwarded back to the vendor for a computerized analysis (no human involvement) then a summary is forwarded to the ordering physician (which can be any physician) who then interprets the test and submits an interpretation fee. This violates almost all of the AASM guidelines for home sleep testing.
AETNA: Aetna is requiring physicians to sign up for home sleep testing.
This is a disturbing trend. Please email NYSSSM and the Reimbursement Committee with any other insurance company activities regarding home testing."
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Hell's belles. I'd contact NYSSSM and flat out tell them the scuttlebutt you've heard and ask them what if anything they know about it.
AND, I'd contact my state legislator and ask HIM or HER what legislation is being proposed or introduced or pending regarding sleep studies and sleep testing. No sense in being bashful.
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You're my kind of person, Judy. I like how you get the job done.
Judy said:Hell's belles. I'd contact NYSSSM and flat out tell them the scuttlebutt you've heard and ask them what if anything they know about it.
AND, I'd contact my state legislator and ask HIM or HER what legislation is being proposed or introduced or pending regarding sleep studies and sleep testing. No sense in being bashful.
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Hey, curiosity killed the cat. Satisfaction brought it back. That's why cats have 9 lives, didn't you know??? *wicked grin*
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Thanks Cindy. I am copying the text of the bill below so that everyone can take a look at what we're talking about. It does in fact look like a bill setting standards for the practice of polysomnographic technology in New York. I guess coming at this from the outside, without any agenda at all, my first reaction is to question whether this is truly in the interests of polysomnographic technicians. I can see on one hand, it raises the bar for their profession and in so doing gives it a certain bump in prestige. But it also makes it tougher to get a job in the field. What do the sleep techs here think? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
BILL NUMBER:A1010
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the education law, in relation to
licensing the practice of polysomnographic technology
PURPOSE: To ensure that persons suffering from sleep disorders are
diagnosed and treated only by competent and qualified polysomnographic
technology professionals who are licensed and registered with the
State Education Department.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section 1 of the bill would add a new Article
167 (S 8800 to S 8809) to the Education Law to prescribe the
requirements and related provisions for the practice of
polysomnographic technology in New York State, as follows:
S 8800. Provide that Education Law Article 130, related to standards
of professional misconduct and unauthorized acts, would apply to the
practice of polysomnographic technology.
S 8801. Define the terms "practice of polysomnographic technology" and
"practice of the profession of polysomnographic technology" which
relate to the diagnosis and treatment of sleep/wake disorders,
syndromes and dysfunctions.
S 8802. Require that only a person who is licensed and registered, or
exempt from such requirements, shall practice polysomnographic
technology.
S 8803. Authorize only a person licensed pursuant to this new article
to use the title of "licensed polysomnographic technologist",
"polysomnographic technologist" or "licensed sleep tech".
S 8804. Establish the State Committee for Polysomnographic Technology
to assist the State Board of Medicine on polysomnographic technology
matters, and which shall also function as the State Board of
Polysomnographic Technology. The Committee shall be comprised of nine
members appointed by the Board of Regents, upon recommendation of the
Commissioner of Education, and shall include five licensed
polysomnographic technologists, two licensed respiratory therapists
with training and/or experience in sleep disorders, one licensed
physician who practices in the field of sleep medicine, and one
representative of the public.
S 8805. Prescribe the qualifications for a polysomnographic technology
license, including that a prospective licensee:
a. File an application with the State Education Department;
b. Have an associate degree in polysomnographic technology from an
accredited college or university, or completed course work
substantially equivalent to an associate degree program in
polysomnographic technology which is satisfactory to the Commissioner
of Education for the practice of polysomnographic technology;
c. Have experience satisfactory to the State Board of Polysomnographic
Technology;
d. Pass an examination satisfactory to the Board;
e. Be at least eighteen years of age;
f. Be of good moral character, as determined by the State Education
Department; and
g. Pay a one-time licensure fee of three hundred dollars.
Require each licensed polysomnographic technologist to register every
three years with the State Education Department and pay a fee of three
hundred dollars for each registration period.
S 8806. Authorize the State Education Department to issue limited
permits to persons who fulfill all of the licensing requirements
except the examination requirement. Such permittee would only be
authorized to practice under the direction and supervision of a
licensed physician, and under the direct and immediate supervision of
a licensed polysomnographic technologist or other appropriately
competent physician or health care professional. The limited permits
would be valid for one year, may be renewed for an additional year,
and would be issued upon payment of a fifty dollar fee.
S 8807. Exempt from the licensure and registration requirements would
be those persons who are:
a. Students enrolled in registered polysomnographic technology
education programs or registered respiratory care programs;
b. Qualified and licensed, certified, or registered health care
providers;
c. Polysomnographic practitioners legally qualified in any other state
or territory and who are performing duties related to their service in
the armed forces, the United States Public Health Service, or the
Veteran's Administration;
d. Licensed respiratory therapists or respiratory therapy technicians;
and
e. Practicing polysomnographic technology for approved clinical
research purposes, under the direction and supervision of a licensed
physician.
S 8808. Authorize a person who has not passed the examination or
satisfied the education requirement to be licensed as a
polysomnographic technologist if, within one year of the effective
date of the implementing regulations, the person:
a. Files an application and pays the appropriate licensing fee to the
State Education Department;
b. Is certified by a national certifying or accrediting board for
polysomnography acceptable to the State Education Department; and
c. Has practiced polysomnography under the direction and supervision
of a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of sleep
medicine for eighteen months or more in the previous three years;
provided that such experience shall not be acceptable for licensure
after December 31, 2011.
S 8809. Require each licensed polysomnographic technologist to
complete a minimum of twenty-four hours of continuing education
acceptable to the State Education Department during each triennial
period, with such person not being issued a certificate of
registration unless such requirement has been satisfied. Exemptions
from the continuing education requirement would be provided to
licensed polysomnographic technologists in their first triennial
registration period and those licensees not engaged in the practice of
polysomnographic technology, evidenced by a filing statement with the
Department. The State Education Department would be authorized to
issue a one-year, conditional registration to a licensee who fails to
meet the mandatory continuing education requirement, provided the
licensee agrees to complete any additional education the Department
may require and pay the triennial registration fee. Licensed
polysomnographic technologists would be required to maintain adequate
documentation of completion of the continuing education course work
and provide such documentation upon request of the Department.
JUSTIFICATION: Insufficient or irregular sleep is a growing national
health issue. It is estimated that between 40 and 70 million Americans
suffer from sleep disorders and an additional 20 to 30 million people
have intermittent sleep-related problems. The human and economic costs
resulting from sleep deprivation and sleep disorders are staggering
with sleep disorders having repeatedly been found to greatly heighten
the risk of many serious illnesses including colon cancer, breast
cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
and obesity. Additionally, there are thousands of deaths and injuries
attributable to sleep-related vehicular accidents each year, which
account for approximately twenty percent of all vehicular accidents.
The economic cost of sleep-related disorders is estimated to be up to
$150 billion annually in employment absenteeism and lost productivity
with an additional $50 billion to $100 billion in indirect costs
related to accident litigation, destruction of property, medical care,
and death.
There are over eighty different classified sleep disorders including
chronic insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and
parasomnias. In addition to the millions of Americans known to suffer
from sleep disorders, ninety-five percent of all persons with sleep
disorders remain undiagnosed because many health care providers are
neither adequately trained nor informed to diagnose and treat sleep
disorders.
Given the compelling health issues and costs at stake, the diagnosis
and treatment of sleep disorders has become a vital health care issue.
In response to this need, there has been an emergence of independent
sleep centers, sleep labs and hospitals using state-of-the-art
equipment to monitor, test and treat patients suffering from sleep
disorders. These facilities rely upon a team of professionals
including physicians specializing in sleep disorders, nurses,
respiratory therapists, and polysomnographic technologists.
As the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders has developed,
polysomnographic technologists have played an integral and, perhaps,
the most visible function in patient care including administering
sleep tests and working with physicians to provide information needed
for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of such disorders. They
typically are responsible for: gathering and analyzing patient
information and ensuring the appropriate tests are performed;
administering tests which may involve connections of electrodes,
sensors, and air masks; monitoring, scoring and evaluating test
results; and ensuring patient safety. Polysomnographic technologists
are highly trained and often experienced professionals who work under
the supervision of, and in cooperation with, physicians and other
health care providers. Importantly, since the diagnosis of a patient
usually occurs over a one- or two-night period, polysomnographic
technologists are relied upon to work overnight shifts unlike other
health care providers.
Because polysomnographic technologists provide such a vital service
which often involves, for instance, connecting and monitoring
breathing apparatus, the State Education Department (SED) has mandated
that by the end of 2008 they demonstrate the appropriate training and
experience through a state licensure and registration regulatory
scheme. SED has determined that if a legislative solution does not
occur by the end of 2008, persons who provide polysomnographic
services without the appropriate license could be prosecuted for
illegal practice and licensed health care providers who assist in such
practice may be charged with professional misconduct. As a result,
enactment of this bill is essential in the current legislative session
to ensure the continuation of the important work by polysomnographic
technologists and that state resources are not diminished in enforcing
against well-intentioned and qualified health care practitioners.
This bill would require the licensure and registration of the
profession of polysomnographic technology with an emphasis on ensuring
that polysomnographic technologists practicing in New York State are
adequately educated, trained, supervised and regulated for the
protection of patients under their care. It would make certain that
they are both competent and qualified to work with patients and in
cooperation with other health care providers, who similarly are
required by law to be qualified and regulated by SED or the State
Health Department.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2008: A10961-A/S.8037-A Referred to Higher
Education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None
EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect on the five hundred
forty-fifth day after it shall have become law; provided, however,
that effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of
any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on
its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed
on or before such effective date; provided further, however,
subdivision 2 of section 8805 of the education law, as added by
section one of this act, shall not take effect until such time as
there are at least four licensure qualifying associate degree
programs, acceptable to the department of education, in
polysomnographic technology operated by accredited colleges
universities in the state.
Cindy Brown said:Mike I found this at the New York Assembly
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=+A01010%09%09&...
From what little I did read it's about making sure that the people doing the testing for sleep disorders are qualified and educated in the field. Since I'm tired and I don't live in New York it's difficult for me to read at this moment, but I thought you would like to read about this bill. It's been around since 2008. I guess the government likes to take it's sweet time.
Cindy
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Well .... thank goodness for the section I've highlighted in bold!!
"S 8804. Establish the State Committee for Polysomnographic Technology to assist the State Board of Medicine on polysomnographic technology matters, and which shall also function as the State Board of
Polysomnographic Technology. The Committee shall be comprised of nine members appointed by the Board of Regents, upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Education, and shall include five licensed polysomnographic technologists, two licensed respiratory therapists with training and/or experience in sleep disorders, one licensed physician who practices in the field of sleep medicine, and one representative of the public."
The section I underlined is interesting. I suppose I'd have to move to NY and play nice w/the politicians to get that position on the committee. *sigh* Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to force yourself to play nice w/a politician??? Ahh, the sacrifices one must sometimes make.
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so i was contemplating whether to get involved politically on this one, since i am in NY. I have such a strong distaste for politics, though... it's just not my cup of tea.
Judy said:Well .... thank goodness for the section I've highlighted in bold!!
"S 8804. Establish the State Committee for Polysomnographic Technology to assist the State Board of Medicine on polysomnographic technology matters, and which shall also function as the State Board of
Polysomnographic Technology. The Committee shall be comprised of nine members appointed by the Board of Regents, upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Education, and shall include five licensed polysomnographic technologists, two licensed respiratory therapists with training and/or experience in sleep disorders, one licensed physician who practices in the field of sleep medicine, and one representative of the public."
The section I underlined is interesting. I suppose I'd have to move to NY and play nice w/the politicians to get that position on the committee. *sigh* Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to force yourself to play nice w/a politician??? Ahh, the sacrifices one must sometimes make.
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