LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

SENATE, No. 50

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: April 1, 1996

      Senate Bill No. 50 of 1996 creates a 25 member Health Information Interchange Policy Council (council), in, but not of, the Department of Health (DOH). The council shall appoint an Executive Director and such employees as necessary within the limits of appropriated funds and may request the assistance of other governmental entities. The council will be responsible for developing an electronic data interchange (EDI) network for use in the health care services delivery process and integrates the State's responsibilities to monitor the quantity and quality of health care. The council in consultation with other agencies will develop demonstration standards for the electronic processing of health care coverage claim information by health insurers and develop standard health care enrollment and claim forms.

      The bill appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund for the council's Fiscal Year 1997 Costs. In subsequent years, the council's expenses will be appropriated from an Electronic Data Interchange Technology Fund that is to be established.

      DOH and the Office of Management and Budget have not provided any fiscal information on the legislation.

      The Office of Legislative Services is of the opinion that the $250,000 General Fund appropriation should be more than adequate to support the council's Fiscal Year 1997 costs.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.