NY A00318

Exempts monthly assessments for periods prior to October 1, 2012, from residential health facilities in Health Professional Shortage Areas or serving medically underserved populations from interest and penalties, provided the facility has a medical assistance utilization rate of 85 percent or greater.

Requires facilities to report their medical assistance utilization rate pursuant to Public Health Law section 2807-d on or before December 31, 2012, to qualify for the exemption.

Mandates that qualifying facilities either pay the assessment amounts or enter into a repayment agreement with the Commissioner of Health by March 31, 2013.

Preserves the interest and penalty provisions of Public Health Law section 2807-d for all assessment, interest, and penalty amounts already collected by the Commissioner prior to the act's effective date.

Defines Health Professional Shortage Areas and medically underserved populations based on designations under the Federal Public Health Service Act as amended by the Health Care Safety Net Amendments of 2002 and designations by the Commissioner of Health.