


    § 238-e. Study of referrals by practitioners.  1. The commissioner may
  conduct  a  study  of  the ownership of or financial interests in health
  care providers by referring practitioners. Such study shall investigate:
  (a) the types of such  ownership  arrangements  and  types  of  services
  offered  under such arrangements; (b) the effect of such arrangements on
  the utilization of health or health related items and services; and  (c)
  the  effect  of  such  arrangements  on independent providers of similar
  services.
    2. For the purposes of the  study  authorized  by  this  section,  the
  commissioner  is  authorized  to request and any health care provider or
  practitioner shall provide, such  information  regarding  those  matters
  which  the  commissioner  is authorized to study pursuant to subdivision
  one  of  this  section  in  such  form  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the
  commissioner.
    3. Patient and practitioner identifying information collected pursuant
  to this section shall be confidential and not subject to disclosure.

Last modified: August 13, 2006