FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 23, 2018
Time Requested: 12:09 PM

1969	Introduced	HB4260
Agency:	Medicine, WV Board of
CBD Number:	Version:	Bill Number:	Resolution Number:
CBD Subject:	Boards and Commissions

FUND(S):

WV Board of Medicine 9070

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Creates New Revenue, Creates New Expense, Increases Existing Expenses

Fiscal Note Summary

Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.

This proposed legislation would have an effect on both revenue and expenditure at the Board. According to the WV Board of Examiners of Psychologists there are 565 PhD level licensed psychologists in the state, 204 of whom are active. Not all of these licensees would meet the requirement or be interested in participating. Therefore, our estimates are based upon a generous 75 % participation of Active PhD level licensed psychologists. Based upon the number of potential practice agreements the Board would have to increase the staffing in the Licensure Division of the agency, secure office equipment and provide administrative support accordingly. There would also be expense realized in developing and maintaining a new category of practice agreement with our data base provider for both our internal system and website. *There are unknown expenses related to the Complaints and Compliance Division of our agency as discussed in the Memorandum section of this fiscal note.

Fiscal Note Detail

Effect of Proposal	Fiscal Year
Effect of Proposal	2018 Increase/Decrease (use"-")	2019 Increase/Decrease (use"-")	Fiscal Year (Upon Full Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost	0	25,500	23,000
Personal Services	0	15,500	15,500
Current Expenses	0	0	0
Repairs and Alterations	0	10,000	7,500
Assets	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0
2. Estimated Total Revenues	0	15,300	15,300

Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):

Based upon the average of 153 potential PhD practice agreements multiplied by a $100.00 fee (mirroring the cost of a physician assistant practice agreement) we estimate an increase in revenue of $15,300.00. The agency would need to hire at least a .25 PTE to assist in processing and updating practice agreements at 11k annually. There will be a cost associated with data base design and maintenance in order to develop and maintain the practice agreements. We estimate that the initial cost would be $7,500.00. and $2,000.00 annually thereafter in maintenance charges. The Board would need to purchase office equipment and supplies in order to accommodate the employee assigned to the project at an estimated cost $2,500.00 * Staff estimate that if the WV BOM would be responsible for the disciplining and compliance issues we would realize a three percent (3%) increase in expenses in that division, or $4,500.00 annually.

Memorandum

Due to ambiguities in the proposed legislation, it is uncertain whether the Board will incur additional costs and expenses. Specifically, it is unclear whether the Board of Medicine or the Board of Psychologists is charged with disciplining psychologists for misconduct related to the issuance of prescriptions. Jurisdictionally, the Board of Medicine only has power to discipline its licensees, and psychologists are not licensees of the Board of Medicine. Yet, if under the proposed legislation the Board of Medicine is charged with disciplining psychologists for misconduct related to their prescriptive authority, the Board would incur additional costs and expenses related to the disciplinary process. This includes, but is not limited to, costs and expenses associated with processing and initiating complaints, investigations, retaining expert witnesses, administrative hearings, hearing examiners and appeals. * Staff estimate that if the WV BOM would be responsible for the disciplining and compliance issues we would realize a three percent (3%) increase in expenses in that division, or $4,500.00 annually.

Person submitting Fiscal Note: Mark A. Spangler
Email Address: mark.a.spangler@wv.gov