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History
- Referred to insurance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provides for health insurance coverage for services performed by a person certified or licensed to perform acupuncture
In Assembly Committee · Insurance · Sponsor Deborah Glick
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to reimbursement for services performed by a person certified or licensed to perform acupuncture
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Would amend section 3216 (i) of the insurance law by adding a new paragraph requiring reimbursement for acupuncture treatment. Section 2. Would amend section 3221 (1) of the insurance law by adding a new paragraph 18 requiring insurers delivering or issuing a group or blanket policy for acupuncture to provide equal coverage for such treatment when it is performed by a licensed person. Section 3. Would amend subparagraphs (G) and (H) of paragraph 4 of subsection (f) of section 4235 of the insurance law, as relettered by Chapter 456 of the law of 1993, and add a new subparagraph (I) requiring that services performed within the lawful scope of practice of a licensed physician or dentist or by a person licensed pursuant to section eight thousand two hundred fourteen of the education law shall also be entitled to equal reimbursement for service. Section 4. Would amend subparagraphs (J) and (K) of paragraph 1 of subsections (b) of section 4301 of the insurance law, as relettered by Chapter 456 of the law of 1993, and add a new subparagraph (L) that would provide reimbursement for acupuncture treatments provided through persons licensed pursuant to section eight thousand two hundred fourteen of the education law provided reimbursement is also made for acupuncture treatments provided through a physician or dentist licensed to practice in this state.
Justification
Acupuncture has been authorized by the state Legislature and is regulated by the Education Department. since the licensing law went into effect in 1990, the number of acupuncture practitioners has increased sharply and trends show a continued growth in this medical modality. Acupuncture is becoming more widely accepted as an effective therapy for a variety of conditions. A number of insurance companies that provide health insurance have policies that only cover licensed MDs certified in acupuncture and will not pay for services of a licensed acupuncturist providing the same treatment and services allowed by the State of New York. This bill will remedy this situation.
Prior legislative history
S.3635 of 1998: Referred to Insurance Committee. 2001-02: A.4277 Referred to Insurance Committee. 2003-04: A.5496 Referred to Insurance Committee. 2005-06: A.2670 Referred to Insurance Committee. 2007-08: A.1897 Referred to Insurance Committee.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after if shall have become a law and shall apply to policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified or amended on or after such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.