Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Consumer Protection has announced that he is offering a free, easy use wallet sized "Shopper's Guide to Tax Exempt Items."

"All too often consumers have many items to purchase or are in a rush when shopping and do not take the time to check if they are being taxed on non-taxable items," Fuschillo said. "I designed this guide small enough to fit in a purse or pocket as a quick resource of information when shopping."

According to Fuschillo, his Shopper's Guide to Tax Exempt Items lists foods, beverages, pharmacy items, and medical equipment.

To receive a free guide please call Senator Fuschillo at 546-4100.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. has announced that the HMO External Appeals Law, which he co-sponsored in the New York State Senate, is now in effect and gives medical consumers the right to appeal the denial of medically necessary or experimental treatment by their HMOs or other health insurer.

"Patients now have more rights, more choices and more power over their own health care treatment," said Fuschillo. "This law gives patients a fair and impartial external appeals process and promotes greater accountability of health care plans, particularly in decisions regarding medically necessary services and experimental and investigational treatments."

According to Fuschillo, a patient now has 45 days after receiving notice of denial of coverage to file written notice for an appeal when coverage of a health care service is denied on grounds that the service is not medically necessary, or that it is experimental or investigational. The State Health Commissioner and State Superintendent of Insurance will certify an external appeal agent to consider the appeal and determine whether the denial of coverage is reasonable and sound. A determination must then be made within 30 days of receipt of the appeal request.

"HMOs and other providers will no longer have the final say regarding decisions relating to medically necessary treatments," said Fuschillo who is also chairman of the Senate Standing Committee of Consumer Protection. "This new law will potentially save lives and I applaud Senator Kemp Hannon, chairman of the Senate Health Committee, who was a driving force to enact it."