Provides health insurance coverage for proven systems of smoking cessation treatments, approved by primary care physician

Title of bill

An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to providing health insurance coverage for smoking cessation treatments

Purpose

To provide insurance coverage for smoking cessation treatments.

Summary of provisions

Section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new subsection (r) which consists of three paragraphs. First, any insurer who provides hospital, surgical, or medical expense coverage must provide coverage for smoking cessation treatment. Second, the smoking cessation treatments must be approved by the patient's physician. Lastly, coverage shall begin at the inception of all new policies, at the anniversary date of the policy next succeeding the effective date of this subsection.

Justification

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, lung and esophagus cancer, and chronic lung diseases such as emphysema. Tobacco cessation programs offer the best hope for preventing tobacco-related diseases. Health Maintenance Organizations have the capacity to impact this key health indicator in a more powerful way than any other health care delivery system.

Currently, as few as 11 percent of health insurance carriers provide coverage for treatment of nicotine addiction. In New York State, annual health care expenditures cost the State of New York $6.6 billion. According to Center for a Tobacco Free New York, smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. Mandating HMOs to provide insurance coverage will help save lives while simultaneously saving on future medical costs.

Legislative history

2000-08: Insurance

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect one hundred and eighty days after it shall have become law.